SANTIAGO, May 27 (Xinhua) -- Defending champions Chile must approach the Copa America with "intelligence and organization" to progress to the competition's knockout phase, head coach Reinaldo Rueda said on Monday.

The Roja, winners of the past two Copa America titles in 2015 and 2016, have been drawn in Group C of the continental tournament in Brazil alongside Uruguay, Ecuador and guests Japan.

"It is a group with a high level and we have to be up to the task," Rueda told a news conference.

"Our aim is to win, we always go with that mentality. We will compete as best we can. I think that's what always characterizes Chile teams. The group stage is going to require a lot of intelligence and organization."

Chile's 23-man squad, announced on Sunday, includes Barcelona midfielder Arturo Vidal and Manchester United forward Alexis Sanchez. Manchester City goalkeeper and former Chile captain Claudio Bravo was left out, having failed in his bid to recover in time from an Achilles injury.

The Copa America will begin on June 14 with a match between Brazil and Bolivia at the Morumbi Stadium in Sao Paulo. The final will be played at Rio de Janeiro's Maracana Stadium on July 7.