Friday, July 8, 2011

TV Preview: 8 - 14 July 2011

Friday 8 July

23.15 Peru v Mexico, Copa America Group C, ESPN/ESPN HD
CONCACAF champions Mexico last met Peru in Copa America back in 2001, when Roberto Holsen's lone goal brought El Tri back down to earth after an earlier victory over Brazil in Cali, Colombia. The most recent meeting of the two was a 4-0 win for Mexico in a friendly back in 2008.
01.45 (Sat) Uruguay v Chile, Copa America Group C, ESPN/ESPN HD
Chile started brightest of these two in Group C, coming from behind to beat Mexico. The Uruguayans also went behind in their game against Peru and needed a Luis Suarez equaliser to take a point from their opening match.

Saturday 9 July

17.00 England v France, Women's World Cup Quarter Final, British Eurosport
England go toe to toe with France after topping Group B with seven points. Ellen White and Rachel Yankey scored the goals as England defeated Japan in their final group game against fellow quarter-finalists Japan.
19.45 Germany v Japan, Women's World Cup Quarter Final, British Eurosport
As group runners-up, Japan face Group A winners Germany, who beat France, Nigeria and Canada as they cruised into the last eight on home soil. Japan's Homare Sawa has already scored three goals in this World Cup, a hat-trick against Mexico.
20.00 Brazil v Paraguay, Copa America Group B, ESPN/ESPN HD
The last player to score a goal for Paraguay against Brazil was Salvador Cabaƒas, who was shot in Mexico City six months later. Robinho and Nilmar struck back to give the Brazilians a 2-1 win in qualifying for World Cup 2010.
22.30 Venezuela v Ecuador, Copa America Group B, ESPN/ESPN HD
Ecuador have struck seven goals in their last three meetings with Venezuela, but crucially they all came in two friendlies. The last competitive match resulted in a 1-0 win for La Vinotinto, Jose Rey scoring the only goal in South American World Cup qualifying.

Sunday 10 July

12.00 Sweden v Australia, Women's World Cup Quarter Final, British Eurosport 2
The Swedes topped Group C with a 100% record thanks to a 2-1 victory over the USA on Wednesday evening, and will face Australia in the last eight. Their opponents have only lost once so far, to Brazil...
16.45 Brazil v United States of America, Women's World Cup Quarter Final, British Eurosport 2
...and it's hardly surprising. The Brazil side won all three Group D matches, conceding not a single goal in games against Australia, Norway and Equatorial Guinea. Two fancied sides meet on Sunday, opening up a route for someone else to make an unexpected run to the final.
19.55 Fluminense v Flamengo, Brazilian Championship, Premier Sports
The Flu-Fla Rio derby takes place in various competitions, but the last league meeting was a 3-3 draw (home for Flamengo) back in September. Two goals from Rodriguinho helped the Tricolor take three points away on that occasion, and these two have made similar starts to the 2011 season.
20.00 Colombia v Bolivia, Copa America Group A, ESPN/ESPN HD
Colombia top the group after beating invitees Costa Rica and holding favourites Argentina to a goalless draw in Santa Fe. A positive result here sees them safely through.
22.00 Portland Timbers v Seattle Sounders, Major League Soccer, ESPN/ESPN HD
John Spencer's Portland Timbers are now winless in six since losing their unbeaten home run to DC United, and have lost five of those matches. This fixture brings one of America's greatest soccer rivalries back to Portland after a 1-1 draw between these two sides in Seattle in May.

Monday 11 July

01.45 (Tue) Argentina v Costa Rica, Copa America Group A, ESPN/ESPN HD
When regular invitees Japan finally pulled out of the Copa America as the effects of the March earthquake continued to take their toll, Costa Rica stepped up to the plate with a young squad (due to CONCACAF Gold Cup commitments). They'll face their sternest test against a fancied Argentina side, even if the Albiceleste haven't been firing on all cylinders.

Tuesday 12 July

22.30 Chile v Peru, Copa America Group C, ESPN/ESPN HD
These sides last met in March 2009 and the big players showed up for the occasion, with Alexis Sanchez, Mati Fernandez and Humberto Suazo on the scoresheet for Chile as they eased to a 3-1 victory against their 10-man hosts.
01.45 (Wed) Uruguay v Mexico, Copa America Group C, ESPN/ESPN HD
While France were being beaten by the hosts in South Africa, Uruguay and Mexico met in World Cup 2010 Group A as the top two sides in the group. Luis Suarez headed Uruguay to victory as Uruguay made their way to the semi-finals.

Wednesday 13 July

23.15 Paraguay v Venezuela, Copa America Group B, ESPN/ESPN HD
Venezuela incredibly lost 14 consecutive Copa America matches - that's a losing streak dating from 1995 to 2004, but in 2007 they progressed out of the group stage for the first time since 1967. In a tough group in Argentina, a point against Brazil was just the start Venezuela needed.

Note: The semi-finals of the Women's World Cup will be shown on British Eurosport at 5pm and 7.45pm.
01.45 (Thu) Brazil v Ecuador, Copa America Group B, ESPN/ESPN HD
Eight-times champions Brazil are the current holders of Copa America and are looking to win the competition this year for the fifth time in six attempts. Ecuador hosted the competition in 1993 and came fourth, equalling their best ever Copa America performance.

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