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South American teams gear up for Cup

Brazil's Alex Silva, right, helps teammate Robinho stretch during a training session in Teresopolis, Brazil, on Thursday. Brazil face Colombia in a World Cup 2010 qualifying match in Bogota tomorrow. PHOTO: AP

Little changes in South American soccer. Just like many times before, Brazil and Argentina remain the dominant powers and everybody else begins World Cup qualifying this weekend looking to grab the last two of the continent's four guaranteed berths in South Africa.

If past results can predict the future, Brazil and Argentina have the best odds of claiming half of South America's representation in the World Cup.

Upsets happen. Argentina, a two-time World Cup champion, were eliminated by Peru and shut out of the 1970 tournament in Mexico. But Brazil, a five-time champ and soccer's closest thing to royalty, have never missed any of the 17 World Cups played.

Meanwhile, both are entering the fray with star-studded casts: Brazil can count on Ronaldinho and Kaka once again.

On the Argentine side, Barcelona's Lionel Messi is poised to take a leading role thanks to goal-scoring prowess that has won him legions of fans in the Spanish league.

Behind the small but speedy forward, manager Alfio Basile has a core of veterans from the last World Cup. And so far, under Basile, Argentina have eight victories, two draws and four defeats in more than a year of preparation as they open their campaign today against Chile.

Even for big teams, getting to the next World Cup usually involves some stumbles.

Brazil lost twice in qualifying for Germany and Argentina four times, though both finished atop the table.

But both teams have already flexed their muscle on the continent: In July, Brazil beat Argentina 3-0 for the Copa America championship in a one-two finish.

Over the next two years, four teams from the region will qualify directly and a fifth will advance via a repechage showdown with a team from CONCACAF, the federation representing North American, Central American and Caribbean teams. That's a slight difference from before, when South America's repechage was decided against a team from Oceania.

Today, Uruguay open their qualifying campaign by hosting Bolivia in Montevideo. Argentina follow later today in Buenos Aires against Chile; Ecuador play Venezuela at home in Quito, Peru take on Paraguay in Lima, and Colombia welcome Brazil in Bogota tomorrow.

The clash between Uruguay and Bolivia features two teams who failed to qualify for last year's finals in Germany. The other matches feature teams that were in Germany -- Ecuador, Paraguay and Brazil -- against teams that were not -- Chile, Venezuela, Peru, and Colombia, respectively.

Next week a second flurry of matches begin: Venezuela meet Argentina in Maracaibo on Tuesday, and a day later, various matches are held: Bolivia vs. Colombia in La Paz, Chile vs. Peru in Santiago; Paraguay vs. Uruguay in Asuncion and Brazil vs. Ecuador in Rio de Janeiro.

Ecuador's prospects are promising, having qualified for the last two World Cups, and if money is any incentive, their players will have good reason to win. They are the best paid in South America and can also pick up an added US$10,000 each for every home game won, and US$12,000 for every away victory.

Paraguay are another team promising a strong start after making the last three World Cups. But Uruguay and Colombia come in after failing to qualify for Germany. Colombia also missed out on qualification for the 2002 finals in Japan and South Korea.

For Uruguay, failing to make Germany was a bitter pill to swallow, falling to Australia in a playoff after a dramatic finish on penalties.

Elsewhere, Chile are looking to end streak of failing to reach the last two World Cups and Peru are looking to end their streak of not qualifying since 1982.

Venezuela, who have never played in a World Cup finals tournament, have high hopes as well. Meanwhile, Bolivia are looking to improve on their last-place finish in the qualifying tournament for Germany.
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