VENEZUELA: FOOTBALL / SOCCER - Argentina and Mexico prepare for Copa America semi-final in Puerto Ordaz

Argentina and Mexico, who produced one of the best matches at last year's World Cup, face off again in Wednesday's (July 11) Copa America semi-final promising to serve up another soccer feast. Mexican and Argentine fans converged on the sweltering riverfront city of Puerto Ordaz, Venezuela where the two teams will battle it out in the tropical heat starting at 8:45pm local time (00:45 GMT). Mexican fan Luis Salas was confident Mexico would avenge last year's World Cup defeat. "Today we are going to win and we are going to pull the thorn out of our hearts," Salas said. Argentina needed a spectacular goal from Maxi Rodriguez -- who has just returned from a six-month injury layoff and is not in the squad -- to win a pulsating match 2-1 after extra time in Leipzig last year. Meanwhile, Argentine Liliana de Machado had different ideas. "Argentina 3 to 1," she said. Excited fans were already waiting outside the stadium from early in the day as grounds' crews put the final touches on the pitch. Leading up to the semis, Mexico hammered six goals past Paraguay, a team usually strong in defence, in their quarter-final as they continued an impressive campaign which began with a 2-0 win over Brazil. Argentina, inspired by Juan Roman Riquelme in midfield and Lionel Messi in attack, have played some exhilarating football, knocking in 13 goals on their way to the last four. It is the fourth year in a row that the two countries have met in a competitive international. The match comes on the day that Barcelona announced the signing of Argentine defender Gabriel Milito. Milito will reportedly get $27.5 million over four years to play alongside national team partner Messi. Argentina coach Alfio Basile has the usual embarrassment of riches at his disposal and the main doubt is likely to be in attack where Diego Milito and Carlos Tevez are competing for the right to partner Lionel Messi. Mexico's big worry is Nery Castillo, one of the tournament's revelations, who has a swollen left knee. Probable teams: Argentina: 1-Roberto Abbondanzieri; 8-Javier Zanetti, 2-Roberto Ayala, 15-Gabriel Milito, 6-Gabriel Heinze; 20-Juan Sebastian Veron, 14-Javier Mascherano, 8-Esteban Cambiasso, 10-Juan Roman Riquelme; 18-Lionel Messi, 11-Carlos Tevez Mexico: 1-Oswaldo Sanchez; 5-Israel Castro, 2-Jonny Magallon, 4-Rafael Marquez, 3-Fausto Pinto; 6-Gerardo Torrado, 20-Fernando Arce, 8-Jaime Correa, 18-Andres Guardado; 12-Juan Carlos Cacho, 19-Omar Bravo or 21-Nery Castillo Referee: Carlos Chandia (Chile)

ITN Source | July 13, 2007

Tags:. .impressive. .diego. .tournaments. .stadium. .pitch