South America ready for the big kick-off

The region's qualifiers are regarded by its players and fans as the toughest in the world, and look especially open on this occasion. With hosts Brazil not taking part and so little separating the other sides, it could be the most fiercely contested qualifying campaign to date. Just a few months after Uruguay won the Copa America; South America’s national teams are preparing to do battle once more – this time for places at the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil. Uruguay added the continental title this year to their fourth-placed finish at South Africa 2010. La Celeste opens their campaign in Montevideo against a Bolivia side that finished second-last in the previous qualifiers. Having secured a play-off berth in the last three preliminary competitions, Uruguay start as firm favorites but will not be underestimating a Bolivia side that showed great composure in holding hosts Argentina to a 1-1 draw in the opening game of this year’s Copa America. Peru versus Paraguay will see Sergio Markarian and Francisco Arce renew acquaintances, but this time as opponents. Currently at the Peruvian helm, Markarian coached Arce while leading La Albirroja to the finals of the 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea/Japan. The visitors will be hoping to improve on their disappointing record on Peruvian soil, where they have lost three and drawn two of their five qualifiers. Winner of the Best Player award at the recent Copa America, the Uruguayan goal-getter will be anxious to run out against Bolivia, the team he scored his first competitive international goal against in the corresponding fixture in 2007. Coach Oscar Tabarez will wait until the last minute before making a decision on whether to partner the Liverpool striker, who is recovering from a muscle strain, with Diogo Forlan.