Japan and Qatar not just making up Copa America numbers

Japan and Qatar's participation in the Copa America may have raised eyebrows in some quarters but the two Asian nations have already proved they didn't turn up in Brazil just to make up the numbers.

Qatar began their Group B campaign by fighting back from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 with Paraguay before a late Duvan Zapata goal denied them a point against Colombia in their next match.

And while a youthful and inexperienced Japan side was taught a harsh lesson in clinical finishing by Chile in a 4-0 defeat, they were then on the wrong end of two controversial VAR decisions in their 2-2 draw with Uruguay.

Both sides may only have one point from two group games so far but they know that victory in their final pool encounters will likely see them into the knock-out rounds.

"We want to be protagonists on the pitch, our players have the quality to do that," said Qatar's Spanish coach Felix Sanchez.

"We're a team that never gives up," he added about the Asian champions.

On Sunday, Qatar face a disjointed and underwhelming Argentina for whom Lionel Messi has been unable to spark into life.

And he knows that a victory over Qatar, which Argentina almost certainly need to avoid being knocked out of the competition, is anything but a foregone conclusion.

"You don't win matches any more just by pulling on the jersey," warned the Barcelona star, who turns 32 on Monday.

- 'Defiant spirit' -
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- Unwelcome -
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"It could sound unpleasant to say it now that we've played Qatar, but I truly believe that the Copa America should be played between American teams, all integrated in one tournament: CONCACAF and CONMEBOL."