The "I need a challenge" thread

[Hunkerdown]

Colombia and new coach "El Gringo" put out a search for all Colombian players playing professionally, and expand national pool. With the 2011 Copa America looming, only 4 friendlies to get ready and figure out lineups and tatics.

Here are the friendly results leading up to 2011 copa:

Colombia 6 Saint Martin 0
Colombia 2 Guadaloupe 1
Colombia 3 Australia 1
Colombia 2 Egypt 0

So a good solid start to getting Colombian soccer back on track.

Copa America up next....

Got Panama, Brazil, and Ecuador in group play.

[Lecrae]

Downloading now, still have no idea who I want to be

[Lecrae]

It's decided, my Poles are getting ready to kick some UEFA tail! We just gotta beat Turkey, Finland, Belgium..... we are so screwed

[ImTellinTim]

Quote: Originally Posted by Lecrae

It's decided, my Poles are getting ready to kick some UEFA tail! We just gotta beat Turkey, Finland, Belgium..... we are so screwed

Dang, you stole my thunder, my name ends in "ski".

I'm downloading now. Who to pick, who to pick...

[Lecrae]

Yeah my qualifying run did not go so well. Hopefully you have better luck

[ImTellinTim]

Alright, I'm taking on a big challenge. I'm going with Peru, who is ranked lowest in CONMEBOL at 87th at the start of the Copa America save.

In an interesting move, Peru is bringing in recently retired star Roberto "Chorri" Palacios, who holds the caps record for Peru at 122.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roberto_Palacios

They are hoping that his presence will command respect from the players and bring out the best in them. He is quite young for an international manager at 37, but it is hoped that he can lead Peru to their first World Cup since 1982.

The early schedule has friendlies against the Bahamas, Singapore, and El Salvador away, Honduras at home, and the Copa America group includes Argentina (4), Bolivia (68), and Paraguay (18). A tough group that will test the new manager right off the bat.

Rumors are that he will be taking a long look at the players available to him, and that the squad could be shaken up under the new regime.

[Hunkerdown]

Got 3 south america countries going already, should be interesting how our paths go and end.

Colombia update:

I got knocked out of Copa America in group play thanks to draws with Ecuador, Panama, and a ***kicking by the hands of Brasil.

I had three friendlies after against: Cameroon, Ghana, and Ivory Coast, all wins for Colombia. I am undefeated in 7 friendlies.

Kicked off WC qualifying against Argentina at home at El Campin in Bogota with a tough 1-0 win!!!! Freddy Montero with a screamer!!

Started 2011 at ranking 57th, now at 35th.

[ImTellinTim]

Pre-Copa America friendly results:

Bahamas 1 - Peru 2
Singapore 1 - Peru 3

The two CONCACAF teams cancelled due to conflicts, so we took a trip to Africa.

Ghana 2 - Peru 1
South Africa 1 - Peru 0

Copa America Squad Selection
Goalkeepers:
Leao Butrón (c) 34 (Universidad San Martín)
George Forsyth 29 (Atalanta)
Erick Delgado 28 (Central)

Defenders:
Ernesto Arakaki 32 (Cienciano)
Christian Ramos 22 (Morelia)
Eduardo Uribe 25 (CSKA Sofia)
Walter Vichez 29 (Cienciano)
Carlos Zambrano 21 (Schalke)
Santiago Acasiete 33 (Almería)
Renzo Revoredo 25 (BATE)
Manuel Corrales 28 (Deportivo Cali)

Midfielders:
Donny Neyra 27 (Steaua)
Juan Manuel Vargas 27 (Fiorentina)
Marko Ciurlizza 33 (Alianza Lima)
Rinaldo 26 (Esteghlal)
Alexander Sánchez 27 (Dinamo Bucharest)
Luis Ramírez 26 (Bolognesi)
Jefferson Farfán 26 (Schalke)
Mario Soto 24 (Universidad San Martín)

Forwards:
Piero Alva 32 (Universitario)
José Paolo Guerrero 27 (Olympique Lyonnais)
Hernán Rengifo 28 (Lech)
Claudio Pizarro 32 (Werder Bremen)


Expected Formation and First Team:

---------Guerrero-------Pizarro-----------



Vargas-----Neyra-------Ciurlizza----Sánchez



Corrales---Arakaki------Ramos------Revoredo



------------------Butrón--------------------


Match Schedule:
July 6, 2011 Paraguay
July 9, 2011 Argentina
July 12, 2011 Bolivia

July 17-18, 2011 Quarterfinals
July 20, 2011 Semifinals
July 23, 2011 3rd Place & Final

The Peruvian FA has placed high expectations on the squad to advance from a tough group. The plan will be to hope to get a result against Paraguay, hold on for dear life against Argentina conceding as few goals as possible, and get the win against Bolivia. If Argentina lays waste to Paraguay and Bolivia, we just might be able to get through. The key will be the result in the first match, as usual in these competitions.

Here goes nothing...