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After the quake
Can the World Cup bring relief to the Chilean
people? By Eugene Fogarty.
Chile’s World Cup preparations have been hampered by the earthquake that rocked the country on February 27th, but it might just be the thing that inspires them this summer in South Africa.
Grouped with Spain, Switzerland and Honduras in group H, a nation expects, and now more than ever. Prior to the disaster in Concepcion and its surrounding cities, Chile’s build up to June’s showpiece event went unnoticed around the world, but now the world will be watching.
Seventeen million people will park in front of their television screens on June 15th in anticipation of their team’s first match, against Honduras. A good start and anything will be possible.
This year’s Mundial has taken on far greater significance for the people of Chile. February’s earthquake literally and figuratively shook the country. The city of Concepcion, south of capital Santiago, was left in ruins following one of the planets strongest every quakes, measuring 8.8 on the Richter scale, lasting 90 seconds and moving the South American plate and changing the earth’s axis. As of March, the death toll stood at 342 people, much less than initial reports but it was strongly felt in six regions of the country that make up 80 per cent of the population.
Homes and buildings were destroyed and live were left in ruins. Blackouts even submerged most of the country for days. Outgoing President, Michelle Bachelet, declared a “state of catastrophe”
.
The nation is in need of a lift, and an injection of sporting patriotism generally serves as a confidence boost to ailing countries. There is only one event with the power to unite people and inspire recovery, and that’s the World Cup, which has arrived at just the right time.
Sporting success in the beautiful game has defined the Brazilian people. Iran’s victory over the US in 1998 was regarded as a victory over powerful oppressors, more important than any political battle.
Korea’s march to the semi finals in 2002 provided a national collective pride rarely seen in the far-east. West Germany’s victory over Hungary’s magnificent Magyars in 1954 gave German’s something positive to identify with and first feeling of euphoria in the post war period. Their victory instantly became known as the Miracle of Berne. Even in Ireland, Jack’s Army is often credited with kicking off the Celtic Tiger years.
Without the success of our national team twenty years ago, the good times may have been slower in coming.
Before ever kicking a ball, Chile has won the hearts of the world due to their recent suffering at home. It is up to the players now to carry that wave of good will through their group games and beyond. The order of their fixtures is an added spur, with the possibility of three points in their first game a likely outcome, they should possess the necessary momentum and skill to overcome a dogged Swiss outfit, if not the sparkling Spanish. Achieve that and they’ll go home as heroes.
Achieve more and their country will ride the crest of a wave that could last into the new year and beyond.
Asked how the population of Chile are preparing for the tournament, Steve Anderson, publisher of The Santiago Times, believes “people are very hyped at the moment” and “a good performance will most definitely raise people’s spirits”.
Mr. Anderson went on to note that there has not been any added pressure on the team despite what’s happened. People are more hopeful than demanding, perhaps due to “their national predisposition to accepting mediocrity”, something Irish football fans can no doubt to relate to as we continue to mourn our ‘glorious defeat’ in Paris at the hand of Thierry Henry.
There is “a great resolve” in Chile to do well this summer, says Mario Tuani, a former Chilean footballer to have played and managed in South Africa. “They have possibly their best-ever combination and a coach in Argentinian Marcos Bielsa whom I consider to be one of the best in the world."With Bielsa on board, South America’s most southerly nation possess a manager with a proven track record.
Having guided Argentina between 1998 and 2004, he took over Chile in 2007 to the surprise of many. His first World Cup, with his home nation in 2002, arrived in equally damaging times, as Argentina faced one of the world’s largest financial crashes in recent memory.
Argentina had defaulted on its debt, its GDP had shrunk, unemployment reached 25 per cent and the peso had depreciated 70%. Arriving in Japan as one of the favourites, their stay in the orient lasted little more than a week. The players’ loyalty and character was questioned back home, in a country where futbol is more religion than sport.
In that instance, pressure was at an all time high on La Albiceleste. Luckily for Bielsa, the people of Chile are less demanding. La Roja have been deprived of anything like normal build up however.
Friendlies were arranged against both North Korea and Costa Rica for March 3rd but both had to be cancelled. Two separate Chile teams were set to take the field in the one night in what was essentially a final trial for up to 40 players.
Since then, Bielsa has had to scramble for opposition. Venezuela volunteered in late March, Mexico gladly agreed to a game in mid May, and New Zealand will provide more welcome game time on
June 9th in Nelspruit, the location of Chile’s game with Honduras.
All that good will aside, it will be difficult to get a full team out this side of June 16th. Key midfielder Matias Fernandez rarely gets a game at Sporting CP, while Alexis Sanchez and Claudio Maldonado are currently on the treatment table. Star winger Mark Gonzalez, coincidentally born in Durban, will be stuck in Moscow with CSKA until late May, and leading scorer in qualifying, Humberto Suazo is grafting away with Real Zaragoza in the lower echelons of La Liga.
All in all, Chile have made their task that bit tougher over the past couple of months, with natural disasters, injuries and postponements
intervening.That said, “Chile needed the World Cup in 1962, and they need it now” writes BBC South American football correspondent
Tim Vickery. In May 1960, the strongest quake ever recorded, at 9.5 on the moment magnitude scale, destroyed much of southern Chile, especially around the city Valdivia. Tsunamis were felt far and wide, from Alsaka to New Zealand. The death toll was never accurately measured, but reports range from 2,000 to 6,000 fatalities, and financial losses of up to $1billion.
Nevertheless, the show must go on, and with a few alterations the World Cup was hosted in the northern half of the country two years later. Despite being renowned for the Battle of Santiago between the host nation and Italy, the tournament was deemed a success, as the home side finished third and Garrincha led Brazil to their second successive Jules Rimet Trophy.
A similar outcome this summer may not be so farfetched, considering the opposition placed in front of Chile. Every four years a surprise package makes it to the last four, if not ever the final, for Korea and Turkey in ‘02 read Croatia in 1998 and Bulgaria in 1994. Achieve something like they did in 1962 and La Roja will truly be El Equipo de Todos.
eugenefog@hotmail.com
Chile’s World Cup preparations have been hampered by the earthquake that rocked the country on February 27th, but it might just be the thing that inspires them this summer in South Africa.
Grouped with Spain, Switzerland and Honduras in group H, a nation expects, and now more than ever. Prior to the disaster in Concepcion and its surrounding cities, Chile’s build up to June’s showpiece event went unnoticed around the world, but now the world will be watching.
Seventeen million people will park in front of their television screens on June 15th in anticipation of their team’s first match, against Honduras. A good start and anything will be possible.
This year’s Mundial has taken on far greater significance for the people of Chile. February’s earthquake literally and figuratively shook the country. The city of Concepcion, south of capital Santiago, was left in ruins following one of the planets strongest every quakes, measuring 8.8 on the Richter scale, lasting 90 seconds and moving the South American plate and changing the earth’s axis. As of March, the death toll stood at 342 people, much less than initial reports but it was strongly felt in six regions of the country that make up 80 per cent of the population.
Homes and buildings were destroyed and live were left in ruins. Blackouts even submerged most of the country for days. Outgoing President, Michelle Bachelet, declared a “state of catastrophe”
.
The nation is in need of a lift, and an injection of sporting patriotism generally serves as a confidence boost to ailing countries. There is only one event with the power to unite people and inspire recovery, and that’s the World Cup, which has arrived at just the right time.
Sporting success in the beautiful game has defined the Brazilian people. Iran’s victory over the US in 1998 was regarded as a victory over powerful oppressors, more important than any political battle.
Korea’s march to the semi finals in 2002 provided a national collective pride rarely seen in the far-east. West Germany’s victory over Hungary’s magnificent Magyars in 1954 gave German’s something positive to identify with and first feeling of euphoria in the post war period. Their victory instantly became known as the Miracle of Berne. Even in Ireland, Jack’s Army is often credited with kicking off the Celtic Tiger years.
Without the success of our national team twenty years ago, the good times may have been slower in coming.
Chileans live in confident hope rather
than expectation. Much hope has been placed upon their current squad
due to their impressive record in qualifying. La Roja only finished a
point behind Brazil in the South American qualifying marathon, which
left them safely in second place, and comfortably qualified for the
finals. A first ever competitive win over Argentina was the stand out
achievement.
Latin American teams have failed to impress in recent years though, apart from Brazil and Argentina. Ecuador and Paraguay have made it as far as the 2nd round recently but never won any friends in the process with their slow and dull brand of football. This year might just be different.
Latin American teams have failed to impress in recent years though, apart from Brazil and Argentina. Ecuador and Paraguay have made it as far as the 2nd round recently but never won any friends in the process with their slow and dull brand of football. This year might just be different.
"The
team in South America that is
playing the best and proposing something different is Chile,” according
to Paraguay coach Gerardo Martino, speaking to the BBC. “They play
attractive football, get a lot of men forward into attacking positions,
and look to attack in the cold, in the heat, at altitude, at sea level,
at home and away…"
Before ever kicking a ball, Chile has won the hearts of the world due to their recent suffering at home. It is up to the players now to carry that wave of good will through their group games and beyond. The order of their fixtures is an added spur, with the possibility of three points in their first game a likely outcome, they should possess the necessary momentum and skill to overcome a dogged Swiss outfit, if not the sparkling Spanish. Achieve that and they’ll go home as heroes.
Achieve more and their country will ride the crest of a wave that could last into the new year and beyond.
Asked how the population of Chile are preparing for the tournament, Steve Anderson, publisher of The Santiago Times, believes “people are very hyped at the moment” and “a good performance will most definitely raise people’s spirits”.
Mr. Anderson went on to note that there has not been any added pressure on the team despite what’s happened. People are more hopeful than demanding, perhaps due to “their national predisposition to accepting mediocrity”, something Irish football fans can no doubt to relate to as we continue to mourn our ‘glorious defeat’ in Paris at the hand of Thierry Henry.
There is “a great resolve” in Chile to do well this summer, says Mario Tuani, a former Chilean footballer to have played and managed in South Africa. “They have possibly their best-ever combination and a coach in Argentinian Marcos Bielsa whom I consider to be one of the best in the world."With Bielsa on board, South America’s most southerly nation possess a manager with a proven track record.
Having guided Argentina between 1998 and 2004, he took over Chile in 2007 to the surprise of many. His first World Cup, with his home nation in 2002, arrived in equally damaging times, as Argentina faced one of the world’s largest financial crashes in recent memory.
Argentina had defaulted on its debt, its GDP had shrunk, unemployment reached 25 per cent and the peso had depreciated 70%. Arriving in Japan as one of the favourites, their stay in the orient lasted little more than a week. The players’ loyalty and character was questioned back home, in a country where futbol is more religion than sport.
In that instance, pressure was at an all time high on La Albiceleste. Luckily for Bielsa, the people of Chile are less demanding. La Roja have been deprived of anything like normal build up however.
Friendlies were arranged against both North Korea and Costa Rica for March 3rd but both had to be cancelled. Two separate Chile teams were set to take the field in the one night in what was essentially a final trial for up to 40 players.
Since then, Bielsa has had to scramble for opposition. Venezuela volunteered in late March, Mexico gladly agreed to a game in mid May, and New Zealand will provide more welcome game time on
June 9th in Nelspruit, the location of Chile’s game with Honduras.
All that good will aside, it will be difficult to get a full team out this side of June 16th. Key midfielder Matias Fernandez rarely gets a game at Sporting CP, while Alexis Sanchez and Claudio Maldonado are currently on the treatment table. Star winger Mark Gonzalez, coincidentally born in Durban, will be stuck in Moscow with CSKA until late May, and leading scorer in qualifying, Humberto Suazo is grafting away with Real Zaragoza in the lower echelons of La Liga.
All in all, Chile have made their task that bit tougher over the past couple of months, with natural disasters, injuries and postponements
intervening.That said, “Chile needed the World Cup in 1962, and they need it now” writes BBC South American football correspondent
Tim Vickery. In May 1960, the strongest quake ever recorded, at 9.5 on the moment magnitude scale, destroyed much of southern Chile, especially around the city Valdivia. Tsunamis were felt far and wide, from Alsaka to New Zealand. The death toll was never accurately measured, but reports range from 2,000 to 6,000 fatalities, and financial losses of up to $1billion.
Nevertheless, the show must go on, and with a few alterations the World Cup was hosted in the northern half of the country two years later. Despite being renowned for the Battle of Santiago between the host nation and Italy, the tournament was deemed a success, as the home side finished third and Garrincha led Brazil to their second successive Jules Rimet Trophy.
A similar outcome this summer may not be so farfetched, considering the opposition placed in front of Chile. Every four years a surprise package makes it to the last four, if not ever the final, for Korea and Turkey in ‘02 read Croatia in 1998 and Bulgaria in 1994. Achieve something like they did in 1962 and La Roja will truly be El Equipo de Todos.
eugenefog@hotmail.com