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After a win against Venezuela and a desperately fought draw against Argentina, Peru are back in the race with a chance to qualify for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa...

Peru-Bolivia: The Altitude of the Estadio Hernando Siles

by Anthony Sanchez (Analyst)

12

761 reads

Preview/Prediction

September 30, 2008


After a win against Venezuela and a desperately fought draw against Argentina, Peru are back in the race with a chance to qualify for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. The only problem is that on the 11th of October they are faced with the notoriously difficult task of trying to beat Bolivia in the Estadio Hernando Siles in La Paz.

In recent years, places like the Estadio Hernando Siles have been at the centre of controversy in South American football. It all started with a Copa Libertadores game between Flamengo of Brazil and Real Potosi of Bolivia. The game was played in freezing rain at an unbelievable altitude of 4,000 metres above sea level.

Rio clubs like Flamengo train at sea level so players apparently resorted to taking oxygen during the game conditions were so bad. Though they managed a 2-2 draw Flamengo officials vowed at the time they would never play in such “inhumane and unsporting” conditions ever again.

The Estadio Hernando Siles lies at an altitude of 3.637 meters above sea-level, so in May 2007 when FIFA decided stadiums above 2,500 meters couldn’t be used in World Cup qualifiers, the outcry in countries like Bolivia was only matched by the happiness of the countries who have to try and get a results against them.

Bolivia’s president Evo Morales had this to say about it: “he who wins at altitude wins with dignity, he who fears altitude has no dignity.”

Sepp Blatter, in his own inimitable style, made the assertion that playing football at such a high altitude posed a considerable health risk to the players of visiting nations, despite the fact that there is absolutely no medical evidence whatsoever to back this claim up.

The pressure imposed by boycott threats from countries who felt they were being victimized for something that there was no evidence for eventually forced FIFA into an humiliating back down. They upped the limit to 3,000 meters and gave the Estadio Hernado Siles immunity to the rule.

There can be no doubt the stadium gives Bolivia an advantage. For example Brazil’s first ever world cup qualification defeat was dished out there in 1993 and current CONMEBOL leaders Paraguay were soundly beaten 4-2 there in June of this year but can it really be regarded as an unfair advantage?

Surely that would mean that Real Madrid could complain about the unfair heavy rain when visiting Old Trafford? Maybe even England could have complained about the unfair blistering hot Mexican sun in previous World Cups?

Hey, at least sunstroke is a genuine medical condition... and let's review the health and safety issues for playing Russian teams in the snow?

A quote from La Paz pastry seller Ruben Cuentra in the Times sums it up best for me. “We didn’t have the luck to be born anywhere else, we have to play football where we are, if not where would we play on the beach, and play football with the crabs?”

The altitude in Bolivia coupled with the fact that they are coming off the back of a shock draw against Brazil in Rio definitely makes it tough but if anyone can deal with that sort of altitude it’s Peru.

Bolivia is Peru’s southern neighbor in fact the only thing that divides La Paz from Peru is Lake Titicaca. The Andes also runs through both countries. Although Peru’s national stadium, The Estadio Monumental, in Lima wouldn’t have been affected by the ban many of the club stadiums that some of Peru’s players ply their trade in do reside at similar altitudes which means they will need little or no time to acclimatize.

Peru can also take heart from the first batch of their next generation of players starting to make their way into the team and they have looked pretty impressive. 19-year-old Carlos Zambrano has established himself in defense and Daniel Chavez, also 19, looks very promising.

According to Wikipedia, a Lazio scout once said of Chavez “Had I met him when he was 16, he would have been one of the best talents in the world." Pretty high praise indeed, but not as far-fetched as it seems when you see him play.

Peru’s manager Jose Del Solar appears to be getting the backing that has so far been lacking and he thanked his young players for helping him get four points on the table. "Those youngsters showed they weren't overawed by the situation or burdened by the jersey, and that's the way forward. They will continue to get their chances because they showed real hunger."

So it’s onward to Bolivia with plenty to be positive about. They have now finally moved off the bottom of the table and are five points away from the all important fifth pace play-off spot with 30 points left to play for.

Unfortunately, one can never be too hopeful with Peru. Their away form is frankly diabolical and with the game in the Estadio Hernando Siles followed by an away meeting with Qualification group leader Paraguay that all important fifth place spot looks a long way away.

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12 comments Last one added 8 months ago — Leave a Comment

  1. Anthony Sanchez 9 months ago

    If the guy who spotted the glaring error in this piece is reading.thanks for the heads-up.

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  2. Guido 9 months ago

    Didn't you post this exact same article earlier today? I remember responding to that...

    Ah well, Bolivia are really benefitting from their stadium in La Paz, but they're crap away from home, so in the end it all evens out.

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  3. Guido 9 months ago

    Right, I re-did most of the editing I did last time, so it should be okay. As I said earlier, good article mate.

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  4. Dennis Ramos 9 months ago

    Note:
    Real Potosi plays in "Victor Agustin Ugarte" Stadium of Potosí

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  5. Steven Ho 9 months ago

    Hey Anthony. Another really informative article. Whilst I'm not sure about how many people are huge followers of South American football, I think you're a credit to B/R and bring unique knowledge to the table.

    Keep it up.

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  6. Baris Gerceker 8 months ago

    I wondered and checked the internet, Peru lost two games in a row, defeated 3-0 in the above mentioned game against Bolivia and then lost again 1-0 in an away game at Paraguay. After 10 games they have only one win and a total of 7 points which keeps them in the bottom of the table. Close to none their chance is, unlucky.

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