There seems to be no gap between the Copa America and the beginning of the Qualifying games for the next World Cup.
It is still fresh in mind Uruguay’s win in Argentina…but all that is history.
These teams know each other very well, which makes for very tight competition to get to Brazil 2014.
With the samba boys hosting the 2014 extravaganza, meaning they won’t have to endure the long road to qualification and will certainly give the opportunity to some nations to claim for that normally taken spot.
On the first round we encounter already some interesting games.
Uruguay hoping to consolidate as the best in the continent, will be facing Bolivia at home.
The visitors will arrive on the back of a very poor showing in the Copa America, and without 7 of their European based regulars.
Uphill battle against a full strength home side, that may be looking at this game as very important. Uruguay’s slow start to past WC campaigns has seen them having to go to playoffs against the likes of Australia or Costa Rica in their recent past.
Ecuador in the altitude of Quito will be hosting the new emerging nation that is Venezuela.
What the home side lacks in quality, they make up for it with the problems that playing in the height of their capital city causes visiting teams.
Venezuela, however have assembled a solid team, that presents change of rhythm from midfield onwards, mixture of young and experienced players, who bring the best out of each other, and are very difficult to beat.
I expect a very close game here with no favourites or underdogs.
Peru will be the home side against Paraguay. Two teams at very different points on their development.
Paraguay, had some fantastic reliability under former manager, Martino, but are on the difficult time of rebuilding as new boss, Arce, looks to bring a new generation of players to mix with the already established stars.
Peru, on the other hand, are day and night compared to the team who did so badly last time around.
A very successful Copa America and an outstanding Manager on Uruguayan Markarian, they are in search of consolidating the group of players and gain more good results to keep building up their confidence.
Last game of the round is the very mouth watering prospect of Argentina playing against Chile.
Both with new men on their bench, Sabella for the albiceleste and Borghi for the Chileans, and extreme pressures to do well.
The visitors are very strong physically, play very fluid football, and strongly believe they are a match for anybody.
Bielsa instilled that mentality in them, and Borghi has the hard task to follow his fellow countryman’s success with the Roja.
Sabella is in one of the most difficult jobs in world football.
Anything but winning is considered a failure and the Argentinean nation and players are tired of underachieving.
It is a long road to the next World Cup, but no doubt it will be very thrilling and competitive between now and then.
Sleeping giants, new emerging nations, changing of the guard, power, finesse, all ingredients to make this the best and closest ever group.