Beijing Olympic Games

Updated: 2007-07-09 From: Xinhuanet

LIMA, July 8 (Xinhua) — “Peru is not afraid of Argentina,” “Argentina a strong and difficult for Peru,” “Let’s go Peru, we can do it,” are headline sports soccer news in Peru on Sunday prior to its Sunday afternoon Copa America game in Venezuela.

Although Argentina is the favorite, Peru’s national soccer teamplayers and coach have promised to do their best to win at Venezuelan Barquisimeto city’s Metropolitano stadium.

Peru’s team will not include striker Jefferson Farfan due to a sprained ankle nor central defense player Alberto Rodriguez because he has been suspended.

In Copa America Venezuela-2007 Group A, Peru defeated Uruguay 3-0, lost 0-2 against Venezuela and barely tied 2-2 with Bolivia.

In Group C, Argentina ended undefeated with a high goal percentage: the United States (4-1), Colombia 4-2 and Paraguay 1-0.

In their past Copa America games these two teams have played against each other 16 times: Argentina won 11, Peru won three and both teams tied twice.

Argentina has won the Copa America championship 14 times and Peru has won it twice.

The Argentina-Peru winner will face the Paraguay-Mexico winner in the semifinals.