Copa America: Champions take a Bow

Chile vs Japan

Another of the big guns opens up at the Copa America on Tuesday when reigning champions Chile take on newcomers Japan.

The Estadio Cicero Pompeu de Toledo Stadium in San Paulo will be bouncing when Rueda Reinaldo’s Chile takes the field in the hope of making it three consecutive title wins, while Japan will aim to have an impact by making the knockout stages.

Brazil has already made a statement by winning its opening game at a canter, with three second half goals against Bolivia, and now it rests on Chile to show it can also get off to a flying start. But it won’t be easy against a Japan side which made the last 16 at the Russia 2018 World Cup, only to be narrowly beaten by a richly talented Belgium.

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2019 Copa America

Talking Points

Chile desperate to make amends

Rueda Reinaldo’s Chile is just about in the leading group in the Copa America 2019 betting odds, behind only Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and Columbia as one of the five teams which could realistically win the tournament.

But La Roja has some making up to do after disappointing their loyal fans last year. Chile failed to qualify for the Russia 2018 World Cup, one of the biggest shocks in qualifying alongside Italy’s failure to make the finals. And now, back in South America, they want to upset the odds again to deprive Brazil of a home triumph.

Reinaldo’s men are in the most competitive group in the tournament with Uruguay and Ecuador making up the four. And Uruguay vs Chile will be one of the ties of the group stage, and certain to be headlining the early Copa America 2019 news and highlights.

Knowing that fixture is on the way makes this opener against Japan a must win game. It could be the last Copa America for the iconic trio of Alexis Sanchez, Arturo Vidal and Gary Medel. Vidal and Medel have characterised Chile’s tough and combative character over the past few seasons, while Sanchez, on his day, is a lethal striker with an electrifying turn of pace. He’s had a disappointing season at Manchester United and this tournament could be just what he needs to get his mojo back.

Welcome back to Japan

Hajime Moriyasu’s Japan are outsiders in this tournament, both in terms of geography and betting odds. This will be Japan’s second appearance in the Copa America here by invitation along with Qatar. Their first tilt at the Copa came back in 1999, but with little success as they earned just a single draw from three games.

Japan arrive in Copa America in stunning form winning 17 of their 21 recent matches since 2018 World Cup — Japan players in training for Copa America

The Blue Samurai caused a stir in Russia though, as big outsiders they escaped a group containing Poland, Columbia and Senegal, and then gave FIFA top ranked team Belgium an almighty fright in the Round of 16. Japan went two goals ahead courtesy of Genki Haraguchi and Takashi Inui, and held that advantage until 25 minutes before the final whistle. But the Red Devils exploded into life and cut the Japan defence to ribbons, grabbing the winner in injury time.

History

The two nations have met only twice, over a decade ago, Japan winning one game by 4-0 with the other ending in a goalless draw.

Both come into the game having won three, drawn one and lost two of the last six, but Japan has been the more impressive recently. They are on a three match unbeaten run, keeping a clean sheet in all three, and they have only two defeats in 16 games.

Chile have struggled more at the back, failing to keep a clean sheet in the last five games, but they will be buoyed by a home crowd and a very impressive record in this competition. La Roja has won nine and lost just one of the past ten Copa America games.

They love this competition!

Betting Tip

	Chile vs Japan	Chile Asian Handicap -1.25 @ 2.12
	June 18, 07:00 (GMT+8)

At 16^th in the world FIFA Rankings Chile is just 12 places above Japan, and with Uruguay also in Group C it will be tough to make the knockout stages. That makes this game a winner takes all, and the victors can go into the competition full of confidence. But lose and the mountain ahead may seem too big to climb.

La Roja is at SBOBET odds of 1.44 to win with Japan clear outsider at 6.20 and the draw available at 4.40. And while the Blue Samurai proved, in Russia, it can be a match for the best I think home advantage and Chile’s experienced big names will be the difference, and Chile’s dream of a third consecutive Copa America will stay alive.