LUQUE. Paraguay. July 6: Uruguay coach Daniel Pas-sarella has. arrived in Paraguay Monday as his team prepare for their crucial Copa America Group C match with his former team Argentina on Wednesday.

reports AFP.

Passarella, who skippered Argentina to World Cup victory in 1978 and coached them in last year's World Cup in France, was appointed coach to Uruguay in May - but he has left team matters in the hands of youth coach Victor Pua for the duration of the Copa.

Uruguay's 2-1 victory over Ecuador Sunday night lifted them above Argentina, beaten 3-0 by Colombia, into second place in Group C - the so-called Group of Death.

With neither side yet guaranteed a place in the quarter-fi-

nals the Uruguay v Argentina match could see either team eliminated although both could still go through with Colombia as the best two third placed teams will also progress.

The Battle of the River Plate countries is significant for many reasons. Both teams, with 14 wins each, are seeking a record 15th Copa America title.

Their geographical proximity - on opposite sides of the River Plate - always makes this a local derby.

But Passarellas presence adds extra spice even if he will only be watching from the stands as he observes his new charges before deciding his policy for the 2002 World Cup qualifying campaign on which his success or failure will be judged.

He remains a national hero in Argentina ever since leading his native country to their first World Cup triumph on home soil back in 1978.

The Uruguay Football Association (AUF) had to rely on the generosity of sponsors to put together the package that persuaded Passarella across the River Plate to coach the "Celeste" (Sky Blues).

Uruguay, ranked only 74th in the latest FIFA standings, are the fallen giants of world football and have failed to qualify for the last two World Cups.

It is now 49 years since their second and last World Cup triumph against Brazil in Rio de Janeiro's legendary Maracana' Stadium in front of a world record crowd of 199.584 and Passarella has been given the task of building a team capable of becoming a world force again with qualification for the 2002 tournament his top priority.

Pua has put his faith in youth for the Copa while Passarella has until now remained in the Uruguayan resort of Punta del Este preparing his World Cup offensive.

Pua has produced highly successful youth teams with Uruguay and this will be the basis on which Passarella will build his side.

AUF officials have confirmed Passarella will attend the game in Luque that could see either his new team or his old outfit consigned to an early flight home.