SBNation.com - Japan Drops Out Of Copa America, To Be Replaced By Costa Ricahttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/46737/sbn-fave.png2011-05-10T18:22:35-04:00http://www.sbnation.com/rss/stream/18548162011-05-10T18:22:35-04:002011-05-10T18:22:35-04:00Japan Withdraws From Copa America, Replaced By Costa Rica
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/DZVeAriPWccCRFErxceBxV0sPWY=/0x27:400x294/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828145/large_sb_nation_final.0.png" />
</figure>
<p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/teams/japan">Japan</a>'s back and forth on whether or not they will play in this summer's Copa America appears to have finally come to an end with the Asian champions deciding against playing in the tournament. Costa Rica is expected to replace Japan in the tournament with an official announcement coming on Friday.</p>
<p>
<meta charset="utf-8">
</p>
<p>The Japanese were originally supposed to join <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/teams/mexico">Mexico</a> as the two invited non-CONMEBOL teams in South America's championship tournament, but their status has been up in the air since the devastating March earthquake and subsequent tsunami struck the country.</p>
<p>CONMEBOL, has just 10 teams so they invite two teams to their championship tournament to give them a 12 team field. Mexico has been invited to every tournament since CONMEBOL began inviting teams in 1993, while Japan has taken part in the tournament once before. Costa Rica will make their fourth appearance this summer in Japan's place, having twice before qualified for the quarterfinals.</p>
<p>After the earthquake there were questions about whether or not Japan would be able to take part in the tournament. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/teams/spain">Spain</a> was offered to take Japan's place if the Samurai Blues chose to withdraw, but Spain declined. Not long after, Japan surprised some by announcing that they would in fact stay in the tournament and play.</p>
<p>The issue that Japan has run into is player availability with the rescheduling of the J-League. The earthquake forced the league to take a month off and the rescheduling has pushed league play into July. Because Copa America is not the championship for Japan's own confederation, FIFA rules state that clubs are not obligated to release players to Japan for Copa America. With the J-League now playing in July, it is unlikely that they would release players to play in Copa America, making it difficult for Japan to field a team.</p>
<p>Copa America will begin on July 1 with the hosts <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/teams/argentina">Argentina</a> playing Bolivia in La Plata. Costa Rica will take Japan's place in Group A and open against Colombia on July 2 in Jujuy.</p>
https://www.sbnation.com/soccer/2011/5/10/2164482/japan-copa-america-costa-ricaRyan Rosenblatt2011-04-14T14:36:42-04:002011-04-14T14:36:42-04:00Japan Reverses Copa America Decision, Will Play In Summer
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/DZVeAriPWccCRFErxceBxV0sPWY=/0x27:400x294/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828145/large_sb_nation_final.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>In a surprising turn of events, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/teams/japan">Japan</a> Football Association has announced today that it has reconsidered its withdrawal from this summer's Copa America tournament and will in fact play in the twelve-team event. They had previously pulled out of the event following the cataclysmic earthquake that struck the country in March, causing CONMEBOL to extend an invitation to <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/teams/spain">Spain</a> to join <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/teams/mexico">Mexico</a> as a guest team in Japan's absence, but Spain too declined (not for earthquake reasons) and the hunt was still presumed to be ongoing when the announcement was made that Japan were in fact back in.</p>
<p>CONMEBOL spokesperson Nestor Benitez was understandably delighted at the news:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>South America did not lose hope of having Japan in the Copa America and the decision to reconsider the withdrawal is to be applauded. Football is a sport of solidarity that unites people in good times and bad.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Japan are considered to be one of the world's more entertaining national teams, and it'll be a real treat to see them in action again this summer. Their only requirement, apparently, is that CONMEBOL work with FIFA to secure the release of several players from European sides in order to participate in the tournament.</p>
https://www.sbnation.com/soccer/2011/4/14/2111306/japan-reverses-copa-america-decision-will-play-in-summerGraham MacAree2011-04-13T12:03:19-04:002011-04-13T12:03:19-04:00Spain Officially Declines Copa America Invite
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/DZVeAriPWccCRFErxceBxV0sPWY=/0x27:400x294/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828145/large_sb_nation_final.0.png" />
</figure>
<p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/teams/spain">Spain</a> confirmed today that they have declined the invitation to participate in this year's Copa America tournament as a replacement for the Japaense National Team.</p>
<p>Jorge Carretero, a spokesman for the Spanish Football Association (RFEF) said they have declined the invite from <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/teams/argentina">Argentina</a> due to the fact that the tournament dates, July 1st-24th, would likely causing organizational problems.</p>
<p>"We will not participate," Carretero said. "We are very grateful to the Argentinean federation for their invite. We cannot be present for organisational reasons. We are very sorry."</p>
<p>The Spanish federation added that they were open to potential participation in the tournament in the future.</p>
<p>This announcement comes as reports have <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/teams/japan">Japan</a> ready to announce tomorrow they will participate in the tournament as originally planned.</p>
https://www.sbnation.com/soccer/2011/4/13/2108503/spain-officially-declines-copa-america-inviteZach Woosley2011-04-05T05:08:50-04:002011-04-05T05:08:50-04:00USMNT Unlikely To Get Copa America Invite & Would Be Wise To Decline Anyways
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/DZVeAriPWccCRFErxceBxV0sPWY=/0x27:400x294/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828145/large_sb_nation_final.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>On Monday, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/teams/japan">Japan</a> announced that they would be giving up their place in the 2011 Copa America, to be hosted in <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/teams/argentina">Argentina</a>, because they needed to focus on domestic rebuilding efforts following the devastating earthquake and tsunami that struck the country. That left an open spot in South America's continental championship tournament, one some have called for the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/teams/united-states">United States</a> to take. However, it is unlikely that the U.S. is invited to the tournament and they would be wise to decline anyways.</p>
<p>CONMEBOL, the confederation that represents South America, is made up of 10 teams, but they play Copa America with 12 and have invited two teams from outside the continent to fill the final spots. Traditionally, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/teams/mexico">Mexico</a> has been one of those teams and they will be in the tournament again this summer. Costa Rica has also been invited several times, Japan was invited once before 2011 and the United States has participated three times, in 1993, 1995 and 2007.</p>
<p>There is obviously precedent for the U.S. participating in Copa America and they participated in the most recent tournament. That most recent tournament is also why it is unlikely the Americans will not receive an invitation to fill Japan's spot for this summer.</p>
<p>When the U.S. participated in the 2007 Copa America, it came right after they played in the 2007 Gold Cup, a tournament that determines the champion of the United States' own confederations, CONCACAF. The U.S. prioritized the Gold Cup over Copa America because they were intent on getting a berth in the 2009 Confederations Cup, something they would clinch by winning the Gold Cup. Well, they won the Gold Cup and got their Confederations Cup berth by using a team filled with their best players.</p>
<p>Asking the U.S. players to play a full tournament, the Gold Cup, and then another full tournament, Copa America, is physically taxing and would leave them with no offseason to recover after and before a long club season. The U.S. let their top players go after the Gold Cup and instead took a team of talented, but young and inexperienced players, most of whom couldn't make the Americans' top team at the time, to Copa America. Unsurprisingly, the U.S. lost all of their matches in Copa America and CONMEBOL was furious after, saying the U.S. would not be invited back because they did not take the tournament seriously.</p>
<p>Now, if the U.S. promised CONMEBOL that they would prioritize Copa America and take their best team, they could probably get an invitation. The U.S. isn't going to do that though. Once again, the Gold Cup is their priority because if they win this summer's Gold Cup they will get a berth in the 2013 Confederations Cup. Would CONMEBOL ask the U.S. to bring their reserves and young players down to Argentina and take Japan's spot in this summer's Copa America? It's unlikely.</p>
<p>Even if the U.S. did get an offer, what would be the point in taking it? Some of the Americans' best young players are already committed to participating in the U-20 World Cup (assuming they qualify, which they will if they win their next match in the CONCACAF Championships). The team would be comprised of players not good enough for the top team right now and would likely be soundly beaten as well. On top of all that, because Copa America is not the United States' own confederation championship, clubs would not be required to let their players play in it so wrestling enough halfway decent players away from their clubs could be a struggle. The hassle of Copa America would just not be worth going down there to get knocked around.</p>
<p>That isn't to say that Copa America is not an incredible tournament and one the U.S. would not benefit from participating in. It is a fantastic tournament and if the Americans ever took part in it they would be challenged, tested and learn a lot from it. That would only be the case if the U.S. took their best team to the tournament though, which would mean sending a weak team to the Gold Cup and that just isn't something the U.S. is going to do right now. That doesn't mean they shouldn't do it, but whether the Americans should pass on the Gold Cup to focus on Copa America is a whole other conversation.</p>
https://www.sbnation.com/soccer/2011/4/5/2091749/usmnt-2011-copa-america-japan-argentinaRyan Rosenblatt2011-04-04T16:54:48-04:002011-04-04T16:54:48-04:00Spain Approached To Replace Japan In Copa America 2011: Report
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/DZVeAriPWccCRFErxceBxV0sPWY=/0x27:400x294/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828145/large_sb_nation_final.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>According to Spanish-language publication <i>Canchallena</i>, <a href="http://www.canchallena.com/1362822-espana-en-la-copa-america" target="_blank">Spain have been approached by Julio Grondona to replace Japan in the 2011 Copa America</a>. Grondona is the President of the Argentinian Football Association and the Vice President of CONMEBOL. Japan were forced to pull out of the competition, and a number of North American sides such as the United States, Costa Rica, and Honduras have all been rumored as replacements. However, with the Gold Cup taking place just before Copa America, those teams would likely have to take weakened sides to the competition, much like Mexico is already doing and like the United States did in 2007. Enter Spain, who don't have these problems to deal with.</p>
<p>Spain do not have any Euro 2012 qualifying fixtures scheduled for this summer, so this report seems plausible. Additionally, if some players' clubs requested that their players be rested and not taken to South America, Spain could easily comply with most of these requests and still bring a team to Copa America that was, at the very worst, the third strongest team in the tournament, with no disrespect intended to Uruguay and Chile.</p>
<p>It's just a "heard it through the grapevine" report at this moment, but this sounds like a good idea, in addition to being plausible. There are no schedule conflicts for anyone, Spanish players get a unique opportunity to play in a great tournament, and South American players get the experience of playing against the world champions.</p>
https://www.sbnation.com/soccer/2011/4/4/2090806/spain-approached-to-replace-japan-in-copa-america-2011-reportKim McCauley2011-04-04T16:40:55-04:002011-04-04T16:40:55-04:00Japan Forced To Pull Out Of 2011 Copa America
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/DZVeAriPWccCRFErxceBxV0sPWY=/0x27:400x294/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828145/large_sb_nation_final.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>As expected, <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/9446831.stm" target="_blank">Japan has pulled out of the 2011 Copa America</a> as they attempt to deal with the effects on the country from the devastating earthquake and tsunami that struck on the March 11. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/teams/japan">Japan</a> was invited as a guest nation to the 12-team tournament, along with <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/teams/mexico">Mexico</a>, to fill out the tournament along with the 10 member nations of CONMEBOL. The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/teams/united-states">United States</a> was invited to the tournament in 2007, but were not asked to return and replaced by Japan due to their decision to take a weakened side to the tournament.</p>
<p>The president of the Japanese Football Association Junji Ogura spoke about the decision on Monday, expressing regret but explaining the current priorities in his countries.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>"The priority at this moment is to continue saving lives and rebuilding the country after the earthquake and tsunami. We are sorry to be pulling out because we recognize that we have advanced in football by being close to South American [teams]." </p>
</blockquote>
<p>CONMEBOL have started the process of finding a replacement for Japan, but have yet to finalize one.</p>
https://www.sbnation.com/2011/4/4/2332761/japan-forced-to-pull-out-of-2011-copa-americaKim McCauley