Pierre Boisrond has followed soccer and the World Cup
closely for many years and also writes for other websites. We at PWC are proud to have him as
a columnist. He will share his views about the past, present and future of
the World Cup.
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South American Powerhouse: A Sense of Urgency for WC 2002
When it comes to the powerhouse of South American Football, we usually see Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay. There
are eight World Cups combined among these teams. Lately, we haven’t heard of Uruguay. What has happened to the team of
the “Rio Platense?”
We all can justify that without Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay in the 2002 World Cup, it will be very difficult for the cup to
come back to the American continent. We know that Argentina and Brazil can step it up at any time. However, what had
happened to the boys of the Principe, Enzo Francescoli.
Since the Principe last played for Uruguay in Mexico 86, it seems pretty difficult for Uruguay to please the fans of the round
ball. In 1990, we saw Ruben Paz and Ruben Sosa, but Italy sent them packing. It has been such a nightmare for the
fans living in the Rio Platense. When I think of Uruguay, I can only think of Enzo “el principe” Francescoli. The Uruguayans
have been suffering lately, it’s time to bring back the joy that we have seen in Francescoli’s feet. It’s time to bring back great
football to Uruguay.
If Uruguay is in such dilemma and Brazil in such disgrace, the pressure will be on Argentina to bring the World Cup back to
America. Teams like Paraguay, Colombia, and Ecuador have to fight very hard to make it all the way through the World Cup
final. With giants like Italy, England, West Germany, France, Holland, etc; it will be very difficult for some of the lesser
football known South American countries to overtake them.
However, the field is flat and the ball is round for every team, prediction won’t help. The only thing that matters is to get a W.
Can Uruguay make it to the 2002 World Cup? Let’s hope Recoba can make it happen; he deserves to play in the next
World Cup. It is unfair for FIFA to ban him for the next World Cup.
Will Brazil be there? Will Rivaldo, Roberto Carlos, Cafu, and Ronaldo make it happen in order for the Brazilians to forget the
humiliating loss against Honduras. The road is not easy for the boys of Scolari. They will have to face Paraguay on August
15th and Argentina in Buenos Aires, in the hostile environment at the Monumental Stadium on September 4th. The Voodoo
Priests in Brazil must come with something really special; if not the team in Auriverde might not make it. We have to wait and
see, but we are certain that Argentina and Paraguay will make it through. Perhaps with Chilavert in goal, Paraguay will be able
to defend the American continent. Let’s hope that the South American Powerhouse can make it to the next World Cup. If
not, the combination of Zizou-Vieira-Henry can overtake the combination of Veron-Bati-Crespo without the supporting cast
from Brazil and Uruguay. By having the supporting cast around, some European powerhouse will have to fall down, therefore
making the path much smoother for the Americas.
I guarantee that Brazil will qualify for WC; otherwise I
would have not risked my life for the qualification. The time is now for
Brazil to step it up so my life could be spared.
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