Abril 11, 2006
Morales First Trip to the U.S.?
Last week, Bolivian football star Marco “el Diablo” Etcheverry held his tribute and farewell match in Santa Cruz. Traditionally these games finally mean retirement once and for all. Etcheverry held onto the hope to have one more go at it, but clearly, he no longer was the maestro that helped Bolivia qualify for its first and only World Cup in 1994.
On the guest list for that friendly and not-so-serious match were other aging South American stars, such as a pudgy Jose Luis Chilavert. Another surprising name that was invited was none other than the new Bolivian President, Evo Morales. A self-proclaimed soccer nut, Morales was looking forward to donning the #10 jersey. However, a tiny problem on the runways of Bolivian airports, caused a change in plans.
There might be another opportunity for Morales to play alongside Etcheverry. “El Diablo” also starred in the U.S. for four-time champs DC United. Much of his post-World Cup career took place in Washington, which coincidentally is home to approximately 300,000 Bolivians. It only makes sense to play a similar farewell tribute match here. Again, Etcheverry said he would be honored to have Morales play in this match in the United States. So, this may be Morales’ first visit to the United States and it may be for reasons other than relations with the U.S government.
It seems that Morales is just as big of a fan of the former player, as Etcheverry was recently given a portrait of himself made out of coca leaves, as good friend Hugo Chavez also received a similar portrait of Simon Bolivar.
“These things (coca portraits) are not given out so easily. I hope it serves as a reminder from me, a person who admired him during those beautiful days when the national team qualified for the World Cup in the United States,” said Morales.
No word on the date of this match.
Why this sudden buddy-buddy relationship between Morales and Etcheverry? It’s no secret that many of the ex-football players want to take control over the Bolivian Football Federation (FBF). Every qualifying cycle something always goes wrong. Money seems to be misspent, conflicts arise between National Team and league clubs and utter failure on the pitch seem to be the fault of everyone involved. However, the FBF holds the responsibility of administering the entire process and often is given much of the blame.
The ex-national team players think they have what it takes to run the show since they were players and know what is needed. Etcheverry clearly wants to be the eventual coach for the national team, as he is close friends with U.S. coach Bruce Arena, who is rumored to take him along this summer in Germany. Other ex-football stars like Erwin “Platini” Sanchez also have eyes set on helping Bolivian football advance past 9th and 10th place finishes. Julio Cesar Baldivieso, was a huge MAS campaign supporter, last December and was rumored to be the next Minister of Sports, if that position was created. The position remained as a Vice-Ministry.
Morales ran as the candidate of change. If there was a time to make these fundamental changes in the Bolivian Football Federation, now is the time to do it. With Morales on your side, these much-needed changes are much easier and it doesn’t hurt that the President wants to relive those beautiful days when the Bolivian National Team was a success.
Note: The 300,000 number is simply a guess. There currently is no reliable data regarding the number of legal and undocumented Bolivians in the Washington, DC area, which many include communities such as Woodbridge and Manassas and other cities in Maryland. I used the 250K figure provided by the El Deber article and bumped it up a bit. By no means, was this meant to be given as fact.
Posted by eduardo at 08:54 PM | Comments (3)
Noviembre 10, 2005
What Could Have Been
This weekend features the first leg of a series of home-and-home series between countries to qualify for the remaining five berths in the World Cup for next summer.
South America’s fifth place team plays the winner of the Oceania region for one of those slots. Saturday’s match is a replay of the same scenario with Uruguay meeting Australia for the coveted spot in 2001. Back when the qualifying process began in 2003, according to my calculations Bolivia had a legitimate shot at making the 5th place finish. Winning every single game at home with the psychological and physiological advantage of the high altitude stadium could have made these dreams a reality.
However, those calculations were off by a large margin. Not only did Bolivia not come anywhere close to 5th, it finished dead last, including several terrible losses and ties in La Paz. At the time, I remember daydreaming and vowing that if Bolivia were to have the opportunity to play in that playoff series, I would be in Bolivia for that week no matter what. Even if I had to fly to Bolivia for one day and fly back the next, it would be well worth it to be in an environment where a return to the World Cup was on a possibility.
There’s always 2009.
The five games slated for Saturday:
EUROPE:
• Czech Republic vs. Norway
• Spain vs. Slovakia
• Turkey vs. Switzerland
SOUTH AMERICA/OCEANIA
• Uruguay vs. Australia
NORTH, CENTRAL AMERICA & CARRIBBEAN/ASIA
• Trinidad & Tobago vs. Bahrain
Posted by eduardo at 01:03 AM | Comments (3)
Octubre 31, 2005
Tough Crowd
My hometown football teams were trounced yesterday. If these were the late 1980s, I would be greatly depressed over the defeat of the Washington Redskins, who lost 36-0 to the NY Giants. John Riggins, Art Monk and Darrell Green no longer play for this American football team and my interest in that sport has diminished to practically zero.
The Cochabamba team Wilstermann also lost to Oruro’s San Jose placing in jeopardy their chances to move onto the next round in the tournament. It’s been a year since I’ve seen them play in the Felix Capriles stadium and I don’t recognize half of the names on the roster. I miss those days when my cousin and I wouldn’t miss a Sunday afternoon game and the chance to chomp on piping hot cheese empanadas.
Finally, my last team, DC United, which plays in Major League Soccer will not have the opportunity to defend its championship. At the hands of the Chicago Fire, DCU was embarrassed at home 4-0 in front of a crowd of nearly 20,000. It’s far better to lose convincingly than to lose in the remaining seconds or as a result of a fluke call. Bolivian flags could be seen throughout the stadium in honor of #99 Jaime Moreno, who is a finalist for league Most Valuable Player. Fans around me were frustrated and some booed the team as they entered their lockerroom at halftime, many just left before the game completed. That was the extent of the visible displeasure.
In Madrid, I saw a game between the local Atletico Madrid vs. Atletico Bilbao. The homeside played rather horribly and after the visitors took a one goal lead, the fans became increasingly impatient. When Bilbao scored its second goal, one fan in the next section cheered, as if he were turning on his own team for their poor play. At that, with about 30 minutes to go in the game, he grabbed his son and exited the stadium in disgust.
By far, Cochabamba fans are the most demanding that I’ve seen with their own team. Some say Wilstermann plays better on the road, than in front their own fans. Why? Because it seems that the local fans expect a goleada every match. Whistles, the South American version of booing, are heard at any hint of missed goal opportunities, even if Wilstermann was leading. I have also seen fans throw items, with an aim on the players, onto the pitch, such as full 2-liter bottles of Pepsi, water balloons, oranges, and bottle rockets. This is when they are losing at a crucial time in the season. At times, the police in full riot gear needed to protect players (even the local team) with their riot shields when taking corner kicks. With fans like that, who needs enemies?
Posted by eduardo at 11:00 PM | Comments (0)
Octubre 10, 2005
Tie and the Final Spot
Facing a bored and lifeless Brazil team, Bolivia played a superb second half which featured an equalizing goal and numerous near misses. At halftime, coach Ovidio Messa inserted Jose Alfredo Castillo and Daner Pachi which energized the team. A brilliant cross into the box by Pachi found the head of Joaquin Botero who crossed it to a charging Castillo who knocked it home tying the game 1-1. After that, Bolivia continued to attack, but couldn't find the go-ahead goal. Bolivia plays its final match against Peru in Lima on Wednesday. Once again, defender Ronald Raldes of Rosario Central stood head and shoulders over anyone else on the pitch rendering goalscorer Adriano (Inter Milan) ineffective.
The four teams that I have qualified for the World Cup from the South America region are: Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Ecuador. The fifth place team faces Australia in a home and away playoff for the right to enter the World Cup competition. Three teams have the possibility of sliding into the final spot. Uruguay is the only team that holds its own destiny. A win gives them enough points to earn that fifth place spot. A tie leaves them open to the possibility of one of the other teams to overtake them. Chile and Colombia must win and hope for a Uruguay loss or tie and a loss by the other team for any shot.
Uruguay - 22 points (home against Argentina)
Colombia - 21 points (away against Paraguay)
Chile - 21 points (home against Ecuador)
Already there are speculations that Argentina may take it easy on Uruguay. In 2001 facing the same scenario, except Uruguay only needed a tie to advance, the two teams tied. Newspaper reports quoted the then-coach of Uruguay of saying that the tie was "set up", which angered the other teams with similar possibilities of advancing. Both Argentina and Uruguay have denied that any such plan is in place for Wednesday's match.
Posted by eduardo at 03:41 PM | Comments (0)
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 09:15 PM | Comments (0)
Septiembre 03, 2005
Bolivia Falls Again
In front of a tiny crowd in La Paz, the Bolivian National Team falls 1-2 to Ecuador. Bolivia has had a dismal showing in this qualifying cycle and will likely place last out of 9 teams in South America. The Ecuador team has closed in on a second consecutive trip to the World Cup.
Posted by eduardo at 05:40 PM | Comments (2)
Junio 18, 2005
Boca Meltdown
I finally saw the replay of the Boca Juniors - Chivas game in Buenos Aires where the Boca players and fans lost their minds. The game featured the Boca coach spitting on the Chivas player Adolfo Bautista as he was being escorted off the pitch, as well as a couple of Boca "fans" who came onto the field to take swings and kicks at the Chivas forward. Finally, the game was halted when the referees could not guarantee safety from the projectiles sent from the stands. Chivas moves on to the finals of the Copa Libertadores on a 4-0 aggregate score. I considered myself a Boca sympathizer, having been to la Bombonera (Boca's stadium) and admiring many of their players (Riquelme and Tevez), but I now see why many non-football fans in Bs. As. abhor any mention of Boca.
Posted by eduardo at 04:20 PM | Comments (2)
Mayo 22, 2005
Bolivian Football Squad Named
As usual, the webpage La Maquina Verde has a great summary of the newest list of players called up for the games against Chile and Paraguay. Both games will be played on the road, with the game in Santiago on June 4th followed by a trip to Asuncion on June 8th. This was the first team that did not include a member of the 1994 World Cup squad. Many seem to think that this marks the end of an era, with the team looking ahead to the qualifying for 2010. Although technically the team still has an outside shot of capturing the 5th slot, but no one expects that to happen.
Full squad list after the jump.
Goalkeepers
Sergio Galarza (Wilstermann) 1975-08-25
Carlos Arias (The Strongest) 1980-02-12
Leonardo Fernández (Atl. Nacional, COL) 1974-03-13
Defenders
Enrique Parada (San José) 1981-11-04
Ronald Arana (Oriente Petrolero) 1977-01-18
Ronald Raldes (Rosario Central, ARG) 1981-04-20
Sergio Jáuregui (Blooming) 1985-03-13
Lorgio Álvarez (Cerro Porteño, ARG) 1978-06-29
Daner Pachi (Bolívar) 1984-01-01
Midfielders
Raúl Justiniano (Wilstermann) 1977-09-29
Ronald García (Oriente Petrolero) 1981-12-23
Limberg Gutiérrez (Bolívar) 1977-11-19
Gonzalo Galindo (Bolívar) 1974-10-20
Julio César Cortez (La Paz FC) 1981-02-10
Joselito Vaca (Blooming) 1982-08-12
Gualberto Mojica (Blooming) 1984-10-17
Walter Flores (San José) 1978-10-20
Forwards
José Alfredo Castillo (Tecos, MEX) 1983-02-09
Juan Carlos Arce (Oriente Petrolero) 1985-04-10
Milton Coímbra (Ionikos, GRE) 1975-05-04
Posted by eduardo at 02:55 AM | Comments (0)
Abril 06, 2005
A Match Between Bolivians
Tonight's international match between the hometown DC United and Mexican League champs UNAM Pumas will be something special for the Bolivians in the area. Both teams come equipped with Bolivian firepower with last year's near-MVP Jaime Moreno for DC United and the inconsistent forward Joaquin Botero for Pumas (pictured).
This semi-final match for the CONCACAF Champion's Cup, which will determine the best club team in North and Central America, will likely be overlooked by most of DC. However, it could attract some of the tens of thousands of Bolivians in the area. The game is tonight at Washington's RFK Stadium at 7:30 p.m. The last team standing will qualify to play in the World Club tournament to be held in Japan later this year.
Posted by eduardo at 10:12 AM | Comments (0)
Abril 05, 2005
El Alto's New Stadium
El Alto is now considered one of the 4 major urban centers in Bolivia (the others: La Paz, Santa Cruz and Cochabamba). Bolivia's "youngest city" can now boast having a team in the Bolivian Football League with the unveiling of their new stadium "Cosmos 79" located about an hour's bus ride from the center of La Paz.
One of La Paz's 4 professional teams will also make the move "up" to call this new stadium home. Iberoamericana plans to begin to play its home games in El Alto. This new stadium will be at an even higher altitude than the Hernando Siles Stadium in La Paz, although both sit well below than the Stadium in Potosi, which may be the highest in the world that has hosted an international competition.
Posted by eduardo at 11:50 PM | Comments (0)
Marzo 29, 2005
No Game Today
I had plans to take off work to go down to Cecilia's and watch the Bolivia - Venezuela game. In a perfect world, Bolivia would have defeated Argentina last Saturday and preparing themselves to capture all 6 points. However, the loss two days ago has put everyone in a foul mood. The news reports in Bolivia are gloating that only 2 tickets were sold in the last two days for today's match. It will be lucky if more than 5,000 fans show up in cavernous Hernando Siles stadium (capacity over 30,000). Even if Bolivia wins today, it is a little too late. This will be the first game I would have missed on TV or in person since the qualifying round started in 2003.
I feel bad, but almost embarrassed to see no one show up to the stadium to watch them play.
Update: From ESPN Deportes "Relato en Vivo"
1 min
¡¡¡GOOOOOOL DE BOLIVIA!!! Tras un centro desde la izquierda, el defensor Cichero, con mala fortuna, convirtió en contra de su valla
25 min
¡¡¡GOOOOL DE BOLIVIA!!! Un pase fantástico de Joselito Vaca llegó a los pies de Castillo, que dejó en el camino a un defensor y definió ante la salida de Dudamel
Halftime
Bolivia 2, Venezuela 0
71 min
¡¡¡GOOOOL DE VENEZUELA!!! Tras un rebote en un remate de Héctor González, Maldonado recibió de frente al arco y remató a las redes...
83 min
¡¡¡GOOOOL DE BOLIVIA!!! Tras un gran desborde por derecha de Pachi, Joselito Vaca convirtió con un remate cruzado abajo
93 min
Final del partido: Bolivia 3-1 Venezuela
Posted by eduardo at 03:12 PM | Comments (2)
Marzo 26, 2005
Bolivia - Argentina
Bolivia attempts to capitalize on Argentina's terror of the altitude of La Paz in today's World Cup qualifier. In every interview of Argentine players, they always say they don't want to talk about the altitude, but they do so anyway by saying that they don't want to talking about it. A group of reporters from Argentina played up this fact when they met the Argentine team when they arrived in Bolivia, the reporters were waiting in the airport with an oxygen task and mask.
Game time is for 4 p.m. Bolivian time in La Paz.
Posted by eduardo at 02:04 PM | Comments (1)
Marzo 11, 2005
List of Bolivian National Team
New head coach Ovidio Messa gets his first crack at leading the Bolivian National Team with two games on the 26th and 29th of this month. Both games will be played in La Paz, where Bolivia holds a serious psychologial and unproven physiological advantage over its rivals due to the high altitude. The first match comes against world power, Argentina whose club teams have consistently failed to notch a victory in La Paz. Four years ago, Argentina miraculously came back from 1-3 to tie the game in the 89th and 90th minute.
It used to be that Venezuela was the cellar dweller of the CONMEBOL region of South American football. Now that the vinotintos have jumped ahead of Bolivia and left them as worst team in South America, this 2nd game against Venezuela would be an opportunity to change positions.
However, this game may not even be played. Venezuela is facing stiff sanctions from the world football governing body, FIFA due to internal political problems. The Venezuelan Football Federation has until March 19 to resolve issues with elections for their board or they will not be allowed to compete in international competitions.
Head coach Messa released the names of the 22 who will make up the squad to face their two rivals later this month. No real surprises, but one who was has once again been left off of the squad is Jaime Moreno, forward for Major League Soccer champs DC United. Moreno was a finalist for Most Valuable Player last season in a league that gets little respect from South America, even though they export players who play in Europe's top leagues. Players from the MLS comprised a large portion of the squad that reached the quarterfinals in the 2002 World Cup.
Interesting enough is that Joselito Vaca, an ex-player for the MLS team Metrostars was frequently on the bench for most of last season. Yet, when he returned to Bolivia to play for the club Blooming he was once again called into the squad.
Players Selected:
ARQUEROS (GOALKEEPERS)
1 LEONARDO FERNÁNDEZ - ATLETICO NACIONAL (COL)
2 JOSÉ C. FERNÁNDEZ - DEPORTIVO CALI (COL)
3 SERGIO D. GALARZA - WILSTERMANN
DEFENSORES (DEFENDERS)
4 PERCY COLQUE - BOLÍVAR
5 RONALD GUTIÉRREZ - THE STRONGEST
6 RONAL RALDES - ROSARIO CENTRAL (ARG)
7 SERGIO A. JÁUREGUI - BLOOMING
8 JUAN M. PEÑA - VILLAREAL (ESP)
9 OSCAR CARMELO SÁNCHEZ BOLÍVAR
10 LORGIO ÁLVAREZ - CERRO PORTEÑO (PAR)
11 DANNER J. PACHI - BOLÍVAR
MEDIOCAMPISTAS (MIDFIELDERS)
12 LIMBERT P. PIZARRO - BOLÍVAR
13 RONALD L. GARCÍA - ORIENTE PETROLERO
14 CARMELO ANGULO - BOLÍVAR
15 GONZALO GALINDO - BOLÍVAR
16 JULIO C. CORTEZ - LA PAZ F.C.
17 ERWIN SÁNCHEZ - ORIENTE PETROLERO
18 JOSELITO VACA - BLOOMING
DELANTEROS (FORWARDS)
19 JOAQUÍN BOTERO - PUMAS - UNAM (MEX)
20 DIEGO A. CABRERA - BOLÍVAR
21 JOSÉ A. CASTILLO - TECOS - UAG (MEX)
22 JUAN CARLOS ARCE - ORIENTE PETROLERO
Posted by eduardo at 01:46 PM | Comments (0)
Febrero 18, 2005
Bolivar and International Competition
Club Bolivar, which almost won the Copa Sudamericana last year, beat Brazilian power Santos last Wednesday 4-3 in the first match in Group 2 of the Copa Libertadores. The team from São Paulo, which Pele made famous, was blindsided by Argentine midfielder Cristian Zermatte and his hat-trick.
I have been without Fox Sports for a quite while and have not had all of the International soccer matches at home. So in what is quickly turning into a tradition, I watched the game at my cousin's house where we ordered a pizza and sipped on increasingly-tolerable Inca Kola.
Posted by eduardo at 03:43 PM | Comments (2)
Febrero 02, 2005
Bolivia's New Coach
The Bolivian Football Federation picked their third coach since late 2003, to salvage the rest of the World Cup qualifying schedule. Ovidio Messa has a tall task ahead of him, which consists largely of crawling out of the cellar. Even though Bolivia currently sits last with 10 points from 11 games (3 points for a win, 1 point for a tie), it is only four points behind the fifth World Cup slot. The fifth place team would play a play-off with the winner of the Oceania region, most likely Australia or New Zealand.
Bolivia's next match is against Argentina in La Paz, some time in March.
Posted by eduardo at 02:40 PM | Comments (3)
Diciembre 17, 2004
History to Be Made
For the first time in history, a Bolivian club team takes its chances and goes for a major International competition. The La Paz-based team Bolivar is in Buenos Aires for the second leg of the Copa Sudamericana. With only a 1-0 lead, Bolivar will try to avoid a goleada.
In the famed La Bombonera stadium in the Boca neighborhood in the Argentine capital, the sold out home of Boca Juniors will attempt to rattle the Bolivians. However, Bolivar is no stranger to Boca Juniors beating them in La Paz 3-1 and losing 0-3 during the 2004 Copa Libertadores.
Yet, losing the Cup to Bolivians would be even more embarrassing, considering that country's low footballing status.
Five thousand visitor seats were sold to Bolivians living in Argentina, and in order to purchase these tickets proof of Bolivian origin or nationality had to be proven.
This Bolivar team is very different than the team that steamrolled Boca Juniors last February in La Paz. Missing Jose Alfredo Castillo, who scored a hat trick against Boca, and Luis "Gatti" Ribeiro, arguably the best midfielder for Bolivia, they face an uphill battle. The 1-0 victory last week shows that most likely Boca will walk away with the title, but one still has to play the games.
Posted by eduardo at 08:44 AM | Comments (0)
Noviembre 22, 2004
National Team Mess
National Team Captain, Luis Hector Cristaldo, tests positive for cocaine. He claims that the test results are false and is an attempt to discredit him, so that he is removed from the team once and for all.
National Team goalkeepr, Leo Fernandez, does not return to Bolivia after last week’s game against Colombia. Instead he returned to his native Buenos Aires claiming that he fears for his life in Santa Cruz. Police investigation finds conflicting stories between Fernandez and his companion’s stories regarding that night’s events. Tests show that the bullets were fired when the vehicle and the one who fired the gun, were not in motion. Some police label the incident as an “auto-atentado”.
It was revealed that National Team goalscorer, Joaquin Botero, had no desire to travel to Colombia for last week’s game. He simply wasn’t going to show up and stay with his Mexican club team, Pumas. His club forced him to comply so that the club team would not face FIFA sanctions.
Many ex-players like Marco Antonio Etcheverry have been embarrassed by the recent results and circus-like atmosphere surrounding the team. In the recent farewell tribute match for legendary and flamboyant Paraguayan goalkeeper Jose Luis Chilavert, el Diablo had a chance to chat with Chilavert. It was reported that Etcheverry had asked Chilavert, whether he had interest in becoming the head coach of the Bolivian National Team, and the response was favorable. Although the matter rests entirely with the Federation.
What will happen on next month’s episode of this telenovela?
Posted by eduardo at 03:27 PM | Comments (0)
Noviembre 21, 2004
Fans
You don’t have to be an NBA basketball fan to have seen the fight between the Detroit Pistons, Indiana Pacers, and Pistons fans. When two players decided to jump into the stands to respond to flying debris (a cup of ice), it reminded me of my experiences at futbol matches in Cochabamba and grateful that the public is kept far from the field.
I must have attended at least a hundred games at the Stadium Felix Capriles, where I saw water balloons, oranges, full 2-liter bottles of Coca-Cola, and firecrackers tossed at opposing players, opposing coaches, referees, and even at their own players.
I even saw Bolivar fans throw a tear gas canister towards a group of Wilstermann fans in the Curva Sud ,which included elderly and young children.
Thankfully, there is huge chain link fence topped by barbed wire and an athletic track that separates the public from the players. When the players retire the dressing room, they are escorted by police who hold their plexiglass shields as a makeshift tunnel.
Also, thankfully there is no alcohol served in the stadiums in Bolivia. That would be add more fuel to the unruly behavior. I have seen police located in the stands only once during all my time going to the Stadium.
However, one of the strangest items tossed onto the pitch was that infamous pig’s head that was launched by Barcelona fans at their traitor, Luis Figo, after transferring to arch-rival Real Madrid.
Posted by eduardo at 02:27 PM | Comments (0)
Noviembre 12, 2004
La Seleccion in Washington
The Bolivian National Team arrived in Washington, DC to play a friendly match against Guatemala. From DC the squad will travel to Colombia for their Wednesday match in Barranquilla.
The team almost chose not to board the flight because of the prize money that would be paid out. They claimed that the dirigentes had promised $1000 would be paid to each player. However, moments before boarding the flight in Santa Cruz, the amount was lowered to $500. General consensus was the players would forfeit the game. Yet, when a clause stating that a forfeiture would cost the Federation a fine of $100,000 (double of what would be paid out), the dirigentes upped the prize money back to the original figure.
Tickets for the match are $30. However, I am currently in Maine and will not be back in the city for this match.
Posted by eduardo at 11:35 AM | Comments (0)
Noviembre 05, 2004
Bolivian National Team vs. Colombia
Once again, the feud between the Bolivian Futbol Federation and the dirigentes of the Bolivian League has caused tension. Head coach Ramiro Blacutt has had to deal with threats of not ceding players because one club President has a problem with one of the players. Starting goalkeeper Leo Fernandez got into a bit of a ruckus with some dirigente of Club Blooming, with claims of an assault. Because of that, Blooming threatened not to release its players if Fernandez was named to the squad. In the end, it was simply a show of power, so that everyone realizes who runs things in Bolivia, when it comes to futbol. Bolivar's threat if Jose Alfredo Castillo was called up proved to work. The goleador of Tecos in Mexico, was again, left off the squad.
Bolivia will also play a friendly match against Guatemala in Washington, DC on November 13. The match against Colombia for World Cup qualifying is set for November 17.
Squad:
José Carlo Fernández, Leo Fernández, Marcelo Carballo, Sergio Jáuregui, Limbert Pizarro, Ronald Arana, Ronald García, Rubén Tufiño, Luis Cristaldo, Lorgio Álvarez, Gonzalo Galindo, Erwin Sánchez, Juan Carlos Arce, Limberg Gutiérrez, Ronald Raldes, Juan Manuel Peña, Joaquín Botero, Jaime Moreno.
Jaime Moreno, who has not played on the National Team since 2000, will play depending on how his team, DC United, fares in Saturday's playoff game. Moreno is a candidate for league MVP and has been playing extremely well all season. It is about time that Blacutt has taken notice and called him up.
Posted by eduardo at 11:43 PM | Comments (0)
Octubre 24, 2004
DC United Wins on the Road
My new adopted hometown team, DC United, finally won a game on the road. And when it counts the most: during the playoffs. The 2nd game of the home-and-home series will be the night I return back in the States on October 30th.
Posted by eduardo at 10:53 PM | Comments (1)
Octubre 19, 2004
Bolivian Football Website
Okay, so maybe Bolivian fútbol is not the most graceful or the most popular in the world, but it is mine dammit! There was once a website created by a Bolivian living in Europe that was a high priority bookmark. The way he scoured the newspapers and other sources for up to the minute news about the National Team and the Bolivian League bummed me out when he stopped updating. After a long hiatus, he is back with a newly designed website, which looks great.
He also added a forum, where hopefully there will be some intelligent and constructive interaction about our beloved teams. I say this because one webboard devoted to Wilstermann is chock full of idiots who only now how to insult other teams using racist and homophobic language. In other words, anonymous machismo, and things get out of hand.
I believe he is in the process of getting a domain name, but you can see the unfinished product using the links above.
Posted by eduardo at 06:13 PM | Comments (0)
Octubre 12, 2004
Not Again
I place the blame 100% on head coach Ramiro Blacutt. Not only did he stubbornly insist on playing three players way past their prime (32-37 years old, Oscar Sanchez, Erwin Sanchez and Luis Cristaldo), but he also refused to call in players who had some past disciplinary problems. Players like Jose Alfredo Castillo stars in the Mexican League, but was ruled ineligible in the Bolivian League, but not from International competition. I do not care, as long as they are producing on the field, they can do as they please. His substitution patterns were abysmal, taking out the most skilled players and leaving in the players with the oldest legs.
Hernando Siles stadium was packed this afternoon, and so many people left very bitter, especially me.
Bleh.
Posted by eduardo at 10:13 PM | Comments (3)
Bolivia vs. Uruguay
The second match in four days takes place this afternoon. Bolivia plays host to Uruguay in a match that is expected to attract more people to the stadium. All public employees will be dismissed at 3 p.m. in exchange of working through the noon hour. The good and bad news is that the sun is out in full force this morning. I head back to Cochabamba after the game, and will write more about my time in La Paz and other observations.
Uruguay has never beaten Bolivia in La Paz. Although the last time they met in 2000, it ended in a nil-nil draw.
Posted by eduardo at 11:59 AM | Comments (2)
Octubre 10, 2004
Bo-bo-tero
(AP Photo/Juan Karita)
Posted by eduardo at 06:17 PM | Comments (0)
Septiembre 24, 2004
The Team for Six
..Six points, which would be the points accumulated for victories against Peru and Uruguay in the World Cup qualifiers on October 9 and 12. In order to have a flicker of hope to qualify for the 2006 World Cup in Germany, Bolivia must win these two games.
I'm so excited to be in La Paz for those games. It's ridiculous to think that it costs more to watch the games on closed-circuit here in the States ($20), than buying a ticket to the stadium ($6-$18).
Goalkeepers: Leo Fernández (Oriente), José Carlos Fernández (Independiente, COL) y Sergio Galarza (Wilstermann).
Defenders: Lorgio Alvarez y Ronald Arana (Oriente); Percy Colque, Luis Gatti Ribeiro y Oscar Sánchez (Bolívar); Marcelo Carballo (The Strongest), Sergio Jáuregui (Blooming), Juan Manuel Peña (Villarreal, ESP) y Ronald Raldes (Rosario Central, ARG).
Midfielders: Erwin "Platini" Sánchez (Oriente); Rubén Tufiño, Limberg Pizarro, Gonzalo Galindo, Limberg Gutiérrez (Bolívar); Luis Cristaldo (The Strongest); Gualberto Mojica (Blooming) y Walter Flores (San José).
Forwards: Joaquín Botero (Pumas, MEX), Juan Carlos Arce (Oriente) y Diego Cabrera (The Strongest).
Posted by eduardo at 03:34 PM | Comments (0)
Septiembre 14, 2004
History of Bolivian Professional Futbol
Periodically, I am going to take full advantage of the database feature of my webserver and Movable Type to store information. Whenever I want quick access to something, I can conduct a search on my site and find what I'm looking for.
List of Champions
Bolivia - List of Champions
list of final tables 1950-1990
La Paz League (semiprofessional since 1950)
1914 The Strongest (La Paz)
1915 Colegio Militar (La Paz)
1916 The Strongest (La Paz)
1917 The Strongest (La Paz)
1918-21 [no competition]
1922 The Strongest (La Paz)
1923 The Strongest (La Paz)
1924 The Strongest (La Paz)
1925 The Strongest (La Paz)
1926 [no competition]
1927 Nimbles Sport (La Paz)
1928 Colegio Militar (La Paz)
1929 CD Universitario (La Paz)
1930 The Strongest (La Paz)
1931 Nimbles Sport (La Paz)
1932 Bolívar (La Paz)
1933 [no competition]
1934 [no competition]
1935 The Strongest (La Paz)
1936 Ayacucho (La Paz)
1937 Bolívar (La Paz)
1938 The Strongest (La Paz)
1939 Bolívar (La Paz)
1940 Bolívar (La Paz)
1941 Bolívar (La Paz)
1942 Bolívar (La Paz)
1943 The Strongest (La Paz)
1944 Ferroviario (La Paz)
1945 The Strongest (La Paz)
1946 The Strongest (La Paz)
1947-49 [no competition]
1950 Bolívar (La Paz)
1951 Always Ready (La Paz)
1952 The Strongest (La Paz)
1953 Bolívar (La Paz)
Number of Titles
14 The Strongest (La Paz)
8 Bolívar (La Paz)
2 Colegio Militar (La Paz)
Nimbles Sport (La Paz)
1 Always Ready (La Paz)
Ayacucho (La Paz)
Ferroviario (La Paz)
CD Universitario (La Paz)
Torneo Integrado (La Paz, Cochabamba, Oruro)
1954 CD Lítoral (La Paz)
1955 CS San José (Oruro)
1956 Bolívar (La Paz)
1957 Always Ready (La Paz)
Number of Titles
1 Always Ready (La Paz)
Bolívar (La Paz)
CD Lítoral (La Paz)
CS San José (Oruro)
Torneo Nacional (professional national league since 1977)
list of final tables 1950-1990
NB: between 1960 and 1976 the final play-off for the national championship was known as Copa Simón Bolívar.
1958 Jorge Wilstermann (Cochabamba)
1959 Jorge Wilstermann (Cochabamba)
Copa Simón Bolívar
1960 Jorge Wilstermann (Cochabamba)
1961 Deportivo Municipal (La Paz)
1962 [no competition]
1963 Aurora (Cochabamba)
1964 The Strongest (La Paz)
1965 Deportivo Municipal (La Paz)
1966 Bolívar (La Paz)
1967 Jorge Wilstermann (Cochabamba)
1968 Bolívar (La Paz)
1969 CD Universitario (La Paz)
1970 CD Chaco Petrolero (La Paz)
1971 Oriente Petrolero (Santa Cruz de la Sierra)
1972 Jorge Wilstermann (Cochabamba)
1973 Jorge Wilstermann (Cochabamba)
1974 The Strongest (La Paz)
1975 Guabirá (Montero)
1976 Bolívar (La Paz)
Professional National League
1977 The Strongest (La Paz)
1978 Bolívar (La Paz)
1979 Oriente Petrolero (Santa Cruz de la Sierra)
1980 Jorge Wilstermann (Cochabamba)
1981 Jorge Wilstermann (Cochabamba)
1982 Bolívar (La Paz)
1983 Bolívar (La Paz)
1984 Blooming (Santa Cruz de la Sierra)
1985 Bolívar (La Paz)
1986 The Strongest (La Paz)
1987 Bolívar (La Paz)
1988 Bolívar (La Paz)
1989 The Strongest (La Paz)
1990 Oriente Petrolero (Santa Cruz de la Sierra)
1991 Bolívar (La Paz)
1992 Bolívar (La Paz)
1993 The Strongest (La Paz)
1994 Bolívar (La Paz)
1995 CS San José (Oruro)
1996 Bolívar (La Paz)
1997 Bolívar (La Paz)
1998 Blooming (Santa Cruz de la Sierra)
1999 Blooming (Santa Cruz de la Sierra)
2000 Jorge Wilstermann (Cochabamba)
2001 Oriente Petrolero (Santa Cruz de la Sierra)
2002 Bolívar (La Paz)
2003 Ap The Strongest (La Paz)
Cl The Strongest (La Paz)
2004 Ap Bolívar (La Paz)
Cl
NB: starting from 2003, no annual playoff for the championship is foreseen
anymore.
Number of Titles
16 Bolívar (La Paz)
9 Jorge Wilstermann (Cochabamba)
8 The Strongest (La Paz)
4 Oriente Petrolero (Santa Cruz de la Sierra)
3 Blooming (Santa Cruz de la Sierra)
2 Deportivo Municipal (La Paz)
1 Aurora (Cochabamba)
CD Chaco Petrolero (La Paz)
Guabirá (Montero)
CS San José (Oruro)
CD Universitario (La Paz)
Torneo Nacional de Fútbol
Note: before a national club championship was carried out, a Torneo
Nacional de Fútbol featuring city selections was played at
irregular intervals. The winners:
1926 Cochabamba
1927 Potosí
1928 Cochabamba
1929 Oruro
1931 Cochabamba
1936 Tarija and La Paz
1937 La Paz
1939 Cochabamba
1941 La Paz
1942 Sucre
1943 La Paz
1944 Sucre
1945 Cochabamba
1947 Cochabamba, Potosí and Pulacayo
1948 Cochabamba and La Paz
1950 La Paz
1952 Cochabamba
1954 La Paz
1959 Oruro
Number of Titles:
8 Cochabamba
7 La Paz
2 Oruro
Potosí
Sucre
1 Pulacayo
Tarija
--------------------------------
About this document
Prepared and maintained by Hans Schöggl and Karel Stokkermans for the Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation
Authors: Hans Schöggl (hans.schoeggl@sbg.ac.at) and Karel Stokkermans
Last updated: 19 Jun 2004
(C) Copyright Hans Schöggl, Karel Stokkermans and RSSSF 1998/2004
You are free to copy this document in whole or part provided that proper acknowledgement is given to the authors. All rights reserved.
Posted by eduardo at 10:47 PM | Comments (0)
Septiembre 03, 2004
Bolivia Bunkering Down
It's official.
Bolivia is playing to lose. Head coach Ramiro Blacutt announced that the Bolivian national team will line-up in a 5-4-1 formation. What that means is that the team will "bunker down", wait for the Brasilian attack, and hope, I mean pray, that some miraculous counterattack can suprise the Brasilians.
The last two matches played in Brasil, Bolivia lost 0-5 and 0-6, employing this same strategy. A tie would trigger a national day of holiday in Bolivia.
I'll be taking my usual seat at Cecilia's here in Arlington on Sunday. I am accepting the fact that anyone willing to pay twenty dollars is a glutton for punishment. At least I can have some saltenas that day.
Posted by eduardo at 05:48 PM | Comments (0)
Agosto 17, 2004
ESPN Visits Bolivia
When the national sports channel ESPN began its five-part series on sports around the world, I wondered which country they would visit in South America. Coming up after the commercial break, ESPN would travel to Bolivia and visit the famed Tahuichi Academy in Santa Cruz. That was my answer.
Not often does Bolivia receive such mainstream national attention for something not involving riots, protests or the drug war. So I was anxious to see how Bolivia and their obsession with futbol would be presented. The commentator would joke that the one thing that many people know about Bolivia was when Mike Tyson, not known for his vocabulary ease, said after losing to Lennox Lewis that he will "fade into Bolivia" (when he meant oblivion).
The piece focused on Americans that attend the Tahuichi soccer Academy and the unusual training methods used. The relatively higher costs (2 week session costs $2100) for this camp helps pay for the thousands of poor Bolivians that get to attend the other school. For example, these Americans run and jump in the Rio Pirai and run up sand dunes as a way to build endurance. These teenagers said they learned not to take things for granted, when seeing their Bolivian counterparts utilizing torn shoes or flat soccer balls.
Unfortunately the piece was relatively short. I wish they would have interviewed Marco Etcheverry or Jaime Moreno, two graduates of the regular academy, who have gone on to star with DC United.
Posted by eduardo at 08:23 AM | Comments (0)
Junio 22, 2004
Suspended for Drinking Tea?
Results from a recent random drug test revealed that Jose Alfredo Castillo tested positive for cocaine. The 21-year-old forward from Club Bolivar adamantly declares that he is not a drug user. Instead he states that the two cups of mate de coca tea he drank prior to the match was the root cause of this positive result. Derived from the coca leaf, this tea is commonly consumed because of its medicinal properties.
Even though the coca leaf has been targeted as the centerpiece of the United States' War on Drugs in Bolivia because it is used to process and manufacture cocaine, there is a world of difference between the two. The leaf in its raw form has been used for centuries as a stimulant to counter the effects of hunger and fatigue. In present day, the coca leaf can be consumed in mate de coca tea, often utilized to diminsh the effects of "soroche" or altitude sickness. Upon arrival in La Paz, many tourists and visitors struggling with the sudden change of altitude are offered a cup. Even children regularly consume this mate, proving its safety.
Experts say that one would have to ingest between 30-40 cups of mate before its results would resemble anything remotely close to testing positive for cocaine. However, it is still not an exact science.
In 1993, Bolivian captain Miguel Angel Rimba tested positive for cocaine prior to a game against Brasil. The results were later overturned when it was discovered that Rimba had taken mate de coca.
Random testing for two players per team takes place after every Bolivian league match. Regulations state that any player who had recently drank mate de coca, should notify the administering physician. Team doctor stated that Castillo did not mention anything about drinking the tea. However, head coach Vladimir Soria indicated that Castillo did approach him after the test saying that he had in fact drank two cups of tea.
As players continue to test positive for cocaine (approximately 2-3 per year in Bolivia), the excuse of tea drinking has been convenient. Although in the past couple of years, no positive result has been overturned.
The case is still pending, with Castillo and his lawyer asking for a re-test. Facing a minimum six months suspension, his bright future could be on hold. After scoring 42 goals in 2001 with Oriente Petrolero, which earned him the distinction of the top goal scorer in the world, Castillo was transferred to UAG Tecos in the Mexican League. Returning to Bolivia in 2004, he scored a hat-trick in a historic win against Boca Juniors in the Libertadores Cup. Officials stated that the finishing touches were almost complete that would transfer him to Boca, the current holder of the Intercontinental Cup.
Perhaps fame and fortune came too quickly for Castillo. With a reported monthly salary of $25,000 playing in Mexico, he was back in a country where the minimum monthly salary is approximately 70 dollars. Earlier this year, he was suspended from his club because he did not return to training after the Easter holidays spent in his hometown of Santa Cruz. Neighbors complained about the loud party that lasted two days straight.
Past behavior and a reputation as one who loves farras may have many doubting his pleas of innocence. From a football standpoint, one can only hope that it was all a misunderstanding and that the can soon play on the biggest stage in South America. However, from a personal standpoint, one can only hope that this can serve as a wake-up call to turn his life around. The opportunity is there to be the one to turn the Bolivian National Team's fortunes around and to make the most of one's natural talents.
Posted by eduardo at 03:43 PM | Comments (0)
Febrero 08, 2004
The Air Up There
In the Bolivian futbol world, the La Paz-based Club Bolivar may just be the equivalent of the “Evil Empire”. Okay, maybe that reference and comparison to the New York Yankees is a stretch, but nevertheless, the “Academia” is envied by all of the other clubs in the country. Their deep pockets and roster filled with National Team regulars are two factors that have placed them as the country’s most popular and most successful in all of Bolivia. Even their Club President, Mauro Cuellar, is as detested by the fans of other teams, like a certain Mr. Steinbrenner. Yet, you have to respect Bolivar’s belief that anything short of a Championship is considered a failure (like the Yankees).
After selling off their prized asset in 2003, Joaquin Botero, to UNAM Pumas in Mexico, Bolivar was able to use that money to bring in a wealth of talent for the beginning of the Copa Libertadores, the most prestigious club championship on the continent.
Their Unofficial 12th man will certainly not be sold off in the near future. Resting some 3600 meters above sea level, Bolivar and the other three professional teams in the capital, can always count on the altitude to contribute to a victory. No one can pinpoint exactly to what degree the altitude affects athletic competitions, but it has been known to linger in the psyche of visiting teams. There have been many tactics to counteract the psychological and physiological effects. Some teams arrive to La Paz just hours before kick-off. Other teams have made La Paz their temporary home for two weeks trying to acclimatize themselves to the effects. Others refuse to admit in the press that it will play a role in determining the outcome, but ultimately it becomes apparent during play.
This advantage could be seen once again during their first game of the Copa Libertadores. Their victim on that night was none other than Boca Juniors of Buenos Aires. Recently crowned World Champions after beating AC Milan in Japan, the team most certainly was undoubtedly aware that many Argentine teams had little success in Hernando Siles Stadium. The Argentine commentators on Fox Sports spent over an hour discussing the altitude backed up with scientific facts regarding oxygen capacity prior to the game’s start. However, Argentina is not the only team to be concerned of playing in La Paz.
When Brasil was struggling to qualify for Japan/Korea 2002, with a handful of games left on their schedule, they offered the Bolivian Futbol Federation a large sum of money to move the game scheduled for La Paz to the lowlands of Santa Cruz. Knowing full well that, Bolivia, without their altitude bully for protection would most likely succumb to the four-time World Cup champs. Fortunately for Bolivians, moving sites of games during the qualifying process was prohibitied. Otherwise, the Board of Directors most likely would have been tempted to pocket that money. Bolivia ended up winning the game 3-1, and Brasil also ended up qualifying anyhow regardless of the lost and won the World Cup the following year.
No one is that delusional to think that Bolivia has players who can compete with Brasil or Argentina on a neutral field at sea level, but in a country of 9 million where the football infrastrucutre is poor at best, federation administration is corrupt, and its World Cup history is limited to one year in 1994, Bolivian futbol fans have to make the most of what they are given.
I’m not a Bolivarista, my loyalties are held by Cochabamba club Jorge Wilstermann. But it’s not difficult to admire what Bolivar has done. In a time where teams carry foreign “refuerzos” (reinforcements), Bolivar beat Boca Juniors with a team comprised entirely of Bolivians. Many of whom make up the bulk of the National Team. This fact can only add to the mystique of playing among the clouds.
At least visiting teams can take comfort in knowing that there is a stadium in Potosi, which sits at an even higher altitude than the capital. I do not think the Federation will play games there due to the lower seating capacity.
Posted by eduardo at 09:46 PM | Comments (0)