Marcos Flores prepares Caltex Socceroos fans for 'amazing' Copa America experience

Adelaide United legend Marcos Flores says an intense, passionate party atmosphere awaits the Caltex Socceroos fans preparing to flock to his native Argentina for the Copa America 2020.

The South American cup competition will feature Australia for the first time in 2020, as the continent’s CONMEBOL football federation invites two guest nations to compete in each edition of the tournament.

Flores learned everything about the Australian game throughout his five seasons in the Hyundai A-League, and now the Argentinian is repaying the favour by educating fans of Australian football about what to expect from the carnival-like atmosphere of Copa America 2020.

“It’s going to be amazing on and off the pitch,” Flores said.

“[The travelling fans] are going to get a really amazing taste of what South America is all about.

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“There you don’t have different vibes, you have one vibe and that is South American football and they are going to feel how intense and passionate the Cup is to South American people.

“The fans will experience is a passion, they are going to experience a party, but also how hostile the atmosphere can be in the stands and experience how much everyone wants to win the Cup.

“In Argentina the football is religion, that’s the interesting part of living that experience.

“Argentina playing at home with (Lionel) Messi, knowing it’s his last chance [to win a major trophy], that Copa America for the Argentinian side is going to be the one they have to win.

“There’s no other option.”

Marcos Flores
Flores says Caltex Socceroos fans are in for a treat at Copa America 2020

Along with his knowledge of the cultural experience of South American football, Flores possesses a deep insight to the workings of Caltex Socceroos boss Graham Arnold, who brought Flores to Central Coast Mariners for the 2013/14 Hyundai A-League season.

Flores believes Arnold is the perfect coach to lead the Caltex Socceroos into battle against South American opposition, as his former boss possesses the understanding of how South American football is played.

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“Graham Arnold is the best coach that I ever had in Australia and he knows what it takes,” Flores added.

“He brought me to the Mariners and he knows what the Latino football is all about.

“He knows they need to play with passion, they can’t switch off for any second because people take advantage on that 50-50.

“Australia’s players have already experienced the World Cup but the Copa America is different.

"It’s not going to be easy, but it won’t be easy for Argentina also.

“I believe in the legacy of Johnny Warren: ‘never say never’.

Australia were drawn in the South Zone of the competition, where they will face hosts Argentina, Chile, Paraguay, Bolivia and Uruguay in the group phase of the tournament.


The likes of Uruguay's Luis Suárez, Edinson Cavani and Argentinian stars Sergio Agüero, Paulo Dybala and Messi stand in the Caltex Socceroos’ path to progressing into the knockout phase, but Flores believes Arnold’s side should not fear the elite calibre of their opponents.

I believe if the players stick to the plan of [Arnold] they can go through the group,” Flores said.

“It’s going to be difficult to get through but they are going to have to take that risk going forward because one of the easiest things in football is to run and organise yourself.

“One of the most difficult things in football is to create.

“I believe in [Aaron] Mooy, I believe Tom Rogic, they have the beauty of the game to hurt teams but as a team they need to believe it is possible.

“I believe in Graham Arnold, I believe in the Socceroos but anything is possible to upset them because Australia has nothing to lose.

“When you play with that mindset you become a really dangerous team.”

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