Argentina, Brazil, Colombia and Uruguay will start on Tuesday here the semi-finals of Copa America 2004, all of them with good options to win the 46th edition of the South American competition, the oldest in the world.

Argentina and Uruguay have won in 14 occasions, the Brazilians in six, while the Colombians are the defending champions after victory in 2001.

According to results in the first round and the quarter-finals, the teams lie on close levels, although Colombia is the only unbeaten team so far, with 1-0 victories over Venezuela and Bolivia, a 2-0 win over Costa Rica and a 2-2 draw with Peru.

The team coached by Reinaldo Rueda has obtained 10 out of 12 points on offer, with six goals in favor and two against.

Colombia is an even and balanced team whose greatest attribute is the control of the ball for a long time, leading the rival to get "bored".

Goalkeeper Henao, central defender Orozco and Dinas, midfielder Patino and strikers Murillo and Morenos are the principal players of the team.

On the other hand, the Argentines, despite their 1-0 defeat against Mexico, have a devastating tactical scheme, the ability of eluding marks and a good physical shape, which have allowed Argentina to leave behind Ecuador 6-1, Uruguay 4-2, collecting nine points with 11 goals in favor and four against.

Ayala, Zanetti, D'Alessandro, "Kily" Gonzalez, Saviola and Figueroa are the emblematic figures. May Argentina is called the team with the best bench headed by "Apache" Tevez.

Meanwhile, Brazil, after a grey participation in the first round, perhaps because of the altitude of Arequipa (over 2,200 meters above sea level), trashed Mexico 4-0 on the Piura Plain with a minimal effort.

The Brazilians defeated Chile 1-0 and Costa Rica 4-1 and lost to Paraguay 2-1, to add nine points in four matches, with 10 goals in favor and three against.

Adriano, the top scorer of Copa America with five goals, midfielder Alex, central defender Juan and goalkeeper Julio Cesar are the best players of Brazil, while striker Luiz Fabiano and midfielder Kleberson are yet to show their skills.

On the other hand, the Uruguayans have had an irregular performance, giving an opportunity to other players, as Farini due to a injury and Recoba are out of the line-up, to show their traditional courage, although by now three of Uruguay's players have received a red card.

Uruguay got a 2-2 draw with Mexico, defeated Ecuador 2-1 and lost to Argentina 4-2, but in the quarterfinals got a 3-1 win against Paraguay, totalizing seven out of 10 points, scoring nine times and receiving eight goals.

Argentina and Colombia will meet on July 20, while Brazil will play Uruguay on July 21.