Lima 2019 will be the best opportunity for all Peruvians to see the world’s best athletes, who will gather in the Pan American and Parapan American Games. One of the stars arriving in our country in 78 days is the experienced Argentinian winger Javier Mascherano, two-time Olympic champion at Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008.
According to Argentinian newspaper “Olé”, the former Barcelona player met the President of the Argentine Football Association, Claudio Tapia, and confirmed his attendance. The coach of the Argentinian football team, Sergio Batista, will include Mascherano as one of the three backups who will compete in the Pan American Games and as captain of the team.
As stated by “Olé” newspaper, coach Sergio Batista wanted to recruit athletes who may teach younger athletes the importance of being part of the national team. There is no doubt that ‘Masche’ can be a great mentor. What about the other two? Those would be Maxi Rodríguez (Newell's) and Fabricio Coloccini (San Lorenzo), according to the most important sports newspaper in Argentina.
Argentina belongs to Group A and will play against Panama, Mexico and Ecuador. Uruguay, Jamaica, Honduras and the host country, Peru, led by “Ñol” Solano, will play in Group B.
Men’s football will start on July 29. The first match will be between Panama and Mexico (10:00). Then, Ecuador will play against Argentina (13:00). Jamaica and Honduras will face each other at 17:30. Finally, Peru will close the session facing off Uruguay at 20:30.
COMPETITION SYSTEM
The Pan American Games matches will be governed by the FIFA rules. During the first stage, three points will be awarded per victory and one point per tie. The top two teams of each group advance to semifinals. Ties will be settled with 30 minutes extra-times. If scores are still tied, a penalty shootout will be played.
MODERN STAGE
The Stadium of the National University of Marcos is part of the improvement and modernization project. Infrastructure works started in May 2018 and finished before the established deadline, which was originally scheduled for March 31, 2019.
It has an official field of play surrounded by an eight-lane athletics track, three fixed tribunes, a VIP box, a press zone, four changing rooms for athletes, a common area for athletes, as well as an exclusive entrance and exit for athletes’ buses. In addition, it has warehouses for sports equipment.