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Notebook South Americans make way for neighbors at Copa
BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) -- The Copa America used to be a South American affair. Now, the neighbors from the north are moving in. Mexico finished second, Honduras was third, and Costa Rica played so well they made fans forget Argentina. The Mexicans, who fell 1-0 to host Colombia, reached the finals of Latin America's biggest tournament for the second time in eight years. In five appearances, they have been to the semifinals or better four times. Costa Rica made its second appearance and did far better than its three-and-out showing in 1997. The "Ticos" won their group and reached the quarterfinals before falling to Uruguay. They also appeased fans angered at Argentina's withdrawal, and fan clubs sprang up for high-scoring striker Paulo Wanchope. But Honduras was the sensation of the tournament. Arriving on the eve of its debut and missing its top stars, the Hondurans upset Bolivia, Uruguay and defending champion Brazil before falling in the semifinals. On Sunday, Honduras took third place with a 5-4 win over Uruguay in the consolation match. Presidential coupColombia took the trophy as champions of the Copa America, but President Andres Pastrana was probably the biggest winner. Pastrana had asked for -- and received -- a vote of confidence from the South American Soccer Confederation after it briefly suspended the tournament for fear of violence. The 18-day tournament went off without a hitch. Not only was there no tournament-related violence, but local officials reported that crime actually fell in Cali, Barranquilla and Medellin, where 27 of the 35 games were played. At the end of Sunday's 1-0 win over Mexico, chants of "We want peace" echoed through the packed stadium. It was a testament to Pastrana, who had dubbed the tournament "The Peace Cup." Unbeaten goalkeeperIn the battle of the Oscars, score it 2-0 for Colombian goalie Oscar Cordoba. Cordoba was a winner again over Mexican rival Oscar Perez in their personal duel, a sidelight to Colombia's 1-0 win over Mexico in the Copa America final. Cordoba was in goal for Boca Juniors last month when the Argentine club won the Copa Libertadores over Mexico's Cruz Azul, defended by Perez. Boca won 3-1 in a penalty-kick shootout, when Cordoba defended one of the shots. In the Copa America, he was simply perfect. Colombia won all six of its games, and Cordoba didn't allow a single goal. Clean sweepColombia will need a bigger trophy shelf for the awards it copped at the Copa America.The hosts won the tournament for the first time ever with a 1-0 victory over Mexico on Sunday. They also had the tournament's high scorer in Victor Aristizabal, who tallied six times. The only game he didn't score in was the final, when he left the field after 30 minutes with an injury. Colombia also won the Fair Play trophy for sportsmanship. Not a single Colombian player was expelled in the 18-day tournament. Another firstFrancisco Maturana has become Colombia's "first" coach.In 1989, he gave Colombia its first and only title in the Copa Libertadores as coach of Atletico Nacional of Medellin. Now he has cemented his reputation, coaching the national team to its first conquest of the Copa America. "Soccer has magic," he said, moments after Colombia's 1-0 win over Mexico in Sunday's final. "It has given us back our joy and our smiles." His next job is to qualify Colombia for next year's World Cup in Japan and South Korea. Colombia trails five teams in the South American group, and only four are guaranteed a spot in the Cup. The fifth competes for the final spot with Australia. Still, he could hardly have gotten off to a better start. "Colombia took the title because it's a winner," Maturana said. "We propose to play well and get results."
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