Octubre 08, 2005
Bolivia - Brazil
The Bolivian National Team is mathematically eliminated from any chance of qualifying for next summer’s World Cup in Germany. The squad was in a similar position four years ago during the run-up to the World Cup in Japan/South Korea 2002 when it last faced Brazil in La Paz in November 2001.
The result that night was a 3-1 victory for the home side over the South American powerhouse, which happened to end up winning the World Cup that next summer. Two goals by “El Emperador” Julio Cesar Baldivieso (pictured - photo BBC) and his subsequent “Condor Soaring” celebration would seal the victory. The win would only be a moral victory in front of the packed house and would save an otherwise disappointing campaign. Bolivia will face Brazil on Sunday for the second to last date in the two year World Cup qualifying cycle.
Sunday’s game will not count for much, as Brazil has already qualified for Germany 2006 and Bolivia is jut hoping to stay out of the cellar. However, any time you face Brazil in your home stadium, it is a special occasion.
The good news for Bolivian fans in the U.S. is that the game won’t be limited to Closed Circuit television as it has been all throughout the qualifying process. The game will be on live on Telemundo at 4 p.m. EST. More good news for Bolivian fans is that Baldivieso has been called into the team after a lengthy absence. This has the makings of déjà vu.
Posted by eduardo at Octubre 8, 2005 09:15 PM