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.
PHOTO: AP
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.
OUT AGAINST INDONESIA: Taiwan reached the semi-finals at the tournament for the first time by defeating Denmark, with Chou Tien-chen beating Viktor Axelsen Taiwan yesterday crashed out of the Thomas Cup team competition in Chengdu, China, but achieved their best result at the top-tier badminton event by reaching the semi-finals. Indonesia were too good in the semis, winning 3-0 to advance to today’s final against China, who eliminated Malaysia 3-1. In the opening singles of the men’s team clash at the Hi-Tech Zone Sports Center Gymnasium 2, Anthony Ginting defeated Taiwan’s Chou Tien-chen 21-18, 21-19 in 51 minutes, which put a huge hole in Taiwan’s aspirations to perhaps even make the final. In the men’s doubles, Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Ardianto downed Lee Yang and Wang
NO DOUBT: Spurs star Wembanyama was unanimously selected as NBA Rookie of the Year, winning all 99 votes to become the first Frenchman to capture the honor The Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday night produced a dominant defensive display to seize a commanding 2-0 lead in their best-of-seven playoff series against the Denver Nuggets with a 106-80 road victory. The third-seeded Timberwolves harassed Denver relentlessly to claim a second straight win over the NBA champions as the series heads back to Minneapolis for Game 3 on Friday. Karl-Anthony Towns and Anthony Edwards scored 27 points apiece, but the star of the show was Minnesota’s suffocating defensive effort, which knocked Denver out of their stride almost from the tip-off. The Timberwolves finished with 11 steals and 12 blocks, in sharp contrast to
Top-ranked Iga Swiatek on Saturday came through “the most intense and crazy final” she has ever contested to avenge her loss to Aryna Sabalenka in last year’s Madrid Open final with a grueling three hour, 11 minute victory in the Spanish capital. Coming back from 1-3 down in the decider and saving three match points in total, Swiatek claimed a 7-5, 4-6, 7-6 (9/7) victory to secure the Madrid Open trophy for the first time. “Well, who is going to say now that women’s tennis is boring, right?” Swiatek said. Swiatek, who picked up the 20th title of her career, and ninth at
One of Malaysia’s top soccer clubs has pulled out of today’s season-opening Charity Shield after a spate of assaults, including an acid attack, on players in the country. It leaves the kickoff of Malaysia’s season this weekend under a cloud following the unprecedented acts of violence against players, which have left the country shocked and angry. Authorities said they have imposed tighter security, but Selangor said that they would not play in the showpiece curtain-raiser against Malaysian Super League champions Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) citing “a series of criminal incidents and recent threats.” Selangor and Malaysia winger Faisal Halim is in intensive care