Argentina again frustrated in title quest

LIMA, Peru (AP) -- The last time Argentina was heavily favored to win a title, it was ousted in the first round. Now a loss in a penalty shootout in the Copa America final agonizingly preserves the country's hunt for a championship for 11 years and counting.

Coach Marcelo Bielsa came to South America's championship determined to win the title, bringing one of the tournament's most experienced teams in the hope of stemming growing disillusionment with him and his squad back home.

But the defeat at the hands of archrival Brazil is likely to re-ignite criticism of Bielsa, who took over the team five years ago and has suffered through a first-round ouster at the 2002 World Cup and now a disappointing finish in Peru.

As in Japan, Bielsa struggled to explain the loss despite Argentina's dominating play. "We keep asking ourselves what we could have done differently to have avoided this kind of result," he said.

Throughout the Copa, Argentina showed a dynamic, offensive prowess, scoring a tournament high 16 goals in six games, two more than Brazil.

Bielsa succeeded in meshing veterans from the 2002 World Cup team with new younger players, finding a mix that will likely serve him once World Cup qualifying resumes in September against Peru and Uruguay.

The play of youngsters Javier Mascherano and Luis Gonzalez, both midfielders, along with striker Carlos Tevez highlighted Argentina's promise.

Defender Gabriel Heinze, who recently signed with Manchester United, likely solidified a spot on the team's back line, alongside Valencia veteran Roberto Ayala. Virtually unknown in Argentina several months ago, Heinze has proved to be a successful discovery by Bielsa.

But questions still remain about the team's front line.

Javier Saviola appeared to be on his way to securing a spot in the squad's regular starting lineup, opening the tournament with a hat trick in Argentina's 6-1 rout of Ecuador before the FC Barcelona striker was sidelined by injury.

Cruz Azul forward Luciano Figueroa seemed to pick up the slack, scoring two goals in a 4-2 first-round victory over Uruguay. Argentina lost 1-0 to Mexico in its other group match.

But Saviola's injury hampered the team, which suffered from an inconsistent option up front through the final stages.

As Argentina struggled with Peru in the quarterfinals, Bielsa reluctantly sent in Tevez, who nailed a free kick, the first of what should be many international goals. He started against defending champion Colombia in the semifinals and bent in another free kick to start a 3-0 win.

It remains to be seen how the loss will resonate in Buenos Aires, where months of negative fan reaction to Bielsa and the team had appeared to subside with its improved play in the Copa.

Captain Ayala appealed to fans to be patient as it tries to rebound from what Bielsa described as an undeserved loss in the final.

"We'll need their support, especially in this painful period," he said. "It's the only way we can go forward from this."

Bielsa will have another chance to win Argentina's first title since taking the Copa America in 1993 next month at the Olympics, where many of the players who competed in Peru will participate.

It will also be another chance for Bielsa to reconcile with Argentina's increasingly anxious fans.