World Cup Qualifier Preview- Bolivia
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by Juanchogol
World Cup Qualifier Preview- Bolivia
For the Bolivians their glory years are far removed. But for individuals at the Bolivian Football Federation, they strongly believed that they needed to bring in that winning attitude that those players had on route to the country’s only appearance to the World Cup. Enter Erwin Sánchez. To have a person like “Platini” guiding these players was the best decision that they could have made- for this group of players at least.
The Drought: That time was a magical time for the Bolivians, and they were never able to feel that experience ever again. Several things could be attributed to this lack of competitiveness to a deficiency in player development, a league that saw no growth domestically and internationally.
This was the reason why the national team had to depend on players from past processes. These players were fundamental in order to make this side competitive and make La Paz once again that intimidating venue because of the altitude and squad that were going to give visitors fits.
Expectations: “Platini” Sánchez is in a position where the squad has to compete but is not expected to make any important run towards the fifth place. His role will be to integrate youngsters like Juan Carlos Arce and eventually become the leader that this club so desperately needs. Still this club will play a big role throughout the qualifiers and any points that this team gains are points that the others that the others in the race do not get. They have the potential to spoil the others’ chances to qualify for South Africa. Their campaign starts in Montevideo and then the scene will shift to La Paz to face Colombia. The Cafeteros will return to the place where they were trampled 4-0 in the previous World Cup qualifiers on the road to Germany. The Bolivian defense offers some potential stability with three of their foreign-based players anchoring the line in front of Sergio Galarza. Blooming midfielder Joselito Vaca will have all the pressure on his shoulders of generating offense and finishing. After well over a decade of being “The Next Big Thing”, he has to be the man now. In the beginning of his career he was going to be the player that was going to help Bolivia return to the World Cup, but he was never able to fulfill those expectations.
Another veteran that will be looked upon to put the ball on the attack is Jaime Moreno. The DC United striker, in partnership with Corinthians phenom Arce and naturalized Brazilian Marcelo Martins will be “Platini” Sánchez’s scoring combo.
The potential to win some matches at home and the possibility to earn points on the road could help them to fit the role of being the darkest of dark horses. In these World Cup qualifiers, a couple of matches could make the difference between being in South Africa and watching it on TV three years from now. Goalkeepers: Sergio Galarza (Oriente Petrolero) Hugo Suárez (Wilstermann) Carlos Lampe (Bolívar)
Defensores: Miguel Hoyos (The Strongest) Luis Gatty Ribeiro (Real Potosí) Ronald Raldez (Rosario Central-ARG) Nicolás Suárez (Real Potosí) Carlos Tordoya (Bolívar) Juan Manuel Peña (Celta-ESP) Santos Amador (Real Potosí) Limbert Méndez (Wilstermann) Lorgio Alvarez (Cerro Porteño-PAR) Ricardo Verduguez (Blooming)
Mediocampistas: Alejandro Gómez (San José) Leonel Reyes (Bolívar) Ronald García (Aris-GRE) Sacha Lima (Wilstermann) Gualberto Mojica (CFR 1907-ROM) Ronald Gutiérrez (La Paz FC) Jaime Cardozo (The Strongest) Joselito Vaca (Blooming) Jhasmany Campos (Oriente Petrolero) Limberg Gutiérrez (Blooming)
Delanteros: Diego Cabrera (Cúcuta-COL) Ausgusto Andaveris (La Paz FC) Jaime Moreno (DC United-USA) Carlos Saucedo (Bolívar) Juan Carlos Arce (Corinthians-BRA) Nelson Toto (Wilstermann) Marcelo Martins (Cruzeiro-BRA)
