AUSTRALIA will face Lionel Messi and Argentina in next year’s Copa America after being drawn alongside the tournament co-hosts Tuesday. The Socceroos, one of two guest teams invited to the South American soccer championship, will also face Paraguay, Bolivia, Uruguay and Chile in Group A. In Group B, Asian champion Qatar, the other guest nation, will face Colombia, Brazil, Venezuela, Ecuador and Peru, with all games taking place in Colombia. The first round designations for Australia and Qatar were the only major issue left to be decided at Tuesday’s ceremonial draw. The other teams in the two groups had already been determined based on geographical proximity to co-hosts Argentina and Colombia, which are separated by some 7,000 kilometers. Australia coach Graham Arnold said his team was relishing the prospect of facing Argentina. “That’s what it’s all about, it’s about testing ourselves at the highest level,” Arnold said following the draw. “The players are so excited to have this great opportunity.” The 2020 Copa America marks the first time that the event is being co-hosted. (SD-Agencies) |