PUERTO LA CRUZ, Venezuela, June 27 - Argentina's recent failures in major tournaments has turned winning the Copa America into something of an obsession.

Despite routinely arriving at tournaments as favourites, Argentina's recent routine has been of premature exits and dramatic defeats, several at the hands of eternal rivals Brazil.

Their last title was the Copa America in 1993 achieved under Alfio Basile, their current coach who was re-appointed last year following the World Cup.

"We haven't won anything since 1993 and the pressure is great," said forward Hernan Crespo, who will be taking part in the Copa America for the first time.

"I'm happy that everyone has taken to the cause and promised to give everything for the team. Nobody was forced to come. This is the Copa America and our big chance before the World Cup qualifiers."

Argentina kick off with a Group C game against United States in Maracaibo on Thursday amid huge expectations. Back home in Buenos Aires, the tournament is being taken almost as seriously as the World Cup.

After using recent Copa America tournaments to test younger players, Argentina have brought a full-strength squad this time as they attempt to atone for their 2004 final defeat against arch-rivals Brazil.

Argentina admit they are still bitter about losing a game in which Brazil equalised with the last kick to force a 2-2 draw and then went onto to win the penalty shootout.

VERON RETURNS

The desire to avenge that defeat is so great that playmaker Juan Roman Riquelme has back-tracked on his decision last September to quit international football.

The introverted player said at the time that criticism of his performances had affected his mother's health.

Another player back in favour is midfielder Juan Sebastian Veron.

After failing to be picked at all under Jose Pekerman, Veron has earned a recall after returning home to play for Estudiantes and inspiring them to their first title in more than 30 years.

Argentina's unhappy run began at the 1994 World Cup, when they fell in the second round to Romania shortly after Diego Maradona failed a doping test.

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