Bolivia in final training stage towards Copa America

Bolivia's national soccer team is now in the final training stage towards Copa America, the oldest South American soccer competition, to be held from June 11 to July 4 in Chile, coach Mauricio Soria said Sunday.

In a press conference held in Bolivia's eastern city of Santa Cruz, Soria said so far 27 players are included in the list but next week four players will be left out.

Before boarding the plane to Mendoza, Argentina, Soria said three important players have been left out from the national team. These players are defenders Diego Bejarano, who plays in Greece's Panetolikos and Abraham Cabrera, from Bolivia's The Strongest, runner up in the local tournament, as well as Rodrigo Ramallo, from the same club.

Previous to Copa America, the Bolivian national team will hold two friendly matches against Venezuela on May 31 and against Argentina on June 6.

Bolivia's debut in the regional tournament will be against Mexico on June 12 in the Chilean city of Vina del Mar. Later it will face Ecuador and Chile, the host team.

"The players who remain in the list have done an excellent work in the training stage and we thank them for their willingness," said Soria.

A total of 24 players will travel to Argentina, including Ronald Raldes, who is recovering from an injury, while other three will join the team in Mendoza.

The Bolivian Football Federation (FBF) have until June 1 to deliver the final 23-player list for Copa America.

Three of them should be goalkeepers, so it is sure that Romel Quinonez, Hugo Suarez and Jose Penarrieta will be part of the team, unless they get injured and be replaced. Endit