Copa America 2011 + Japan's Victory

It was certainly an odd day for football in Copa America. Brazil, usually the ruthless penalty takers became the first team in tournament’s history to miss all their spot kicks. I wonder if they were watching Larissa Riquelme at the stands. I missed the game (match timing was little too odd for me) and as a Brazilian fan I was certainly disappointed to hear the news. But after a little while it didn’t bother me much and everybody has a soft spot for underdogs. With no Brazil and Argentina, Copa America is truly wide open now. I fancy Uruguay to go all the way but rest three has pretty decent chance too and we have already seen few upsets.

Second match of the day also provided an upset. Venezuela booked their first ever Copa semis after beating Chile. I like the way Chile plays, liked them in World Cup too and certainly wanted them to do well. They could have won it with little help from lady luck but it wasn’t to be as the goalkeeper’s best friend “woodwork” rescued Venezuela throughout.

BTW, before I go, congratulations to Japan for their first ever women’s world cup victory. This is what I wrote in my Facebook wall after the match.

USA could have (should have) won it. They were poor defensively on the day but take nothing away from Japanese girls. Considering what happened in the recent past, Japan's victory was simply a better script. You just can't beat a good story.

Till tomorrow.