Bittersweet victories
09.17.2003Went to a soccer (fútbol) match last night w/ my cousin Martín and some of his friends. The match was The Strongest (not a translation, that´s what they´re called) vs. San Lorenzo (the defending South American Cup champ). We met just outside Hernan Siles stadium, and made our way into the second tier, right on the halfway line. Great seats.
It was a chilly evening, but the fans (hinchas) could care less. Yellow & black banners filled the seats, rooting for the local team, Los Tigres del Strongest. (BTW, if you wonder why many Latin American soccer clubs have English names, remember that soccer is an English sport, imported to the region).
San Lorenzo came out first, warming up on the pitch, met w/ incessant whistles and verbal insults. A few minutes before the match, The Strongest took the field to a deafening roar. Fireworks and smoke bombs filled the air w/ the acrid scent of gunpowder, smoke so thick we couldn´t see the field for several minutes.
The Strongest had a clear home field advantage. Twice. Not just their crowd (perhaps only a few dozen Argentines were present), but the altitude. They say that when Bolivian teams play in La Paz, they play w/ 12 players. At such high altitudes, many athletes (if not sufficiently trained) get tired sooner and perform poorly. Also, at such high altitudes, the ball has a different weight and speed, which affects play. Most expected The Strongest to win. Unfortunately, they also knew they had to win big, at least 3-0.
The Strongest didn´t disappoint, scoring in the first 3 minutes. But then things fell apart. The play was sloppy, uncoordinated. And while San Lorenzo was clearly affected by the altitude, they were holding their own defensively. Finally, near the end of the first period, the Tigers scored again, and the crowd rejoiced at an (essentially) assured victory.
The second priod brought no joy to the crowd. More sloppy, uncoordinated playmaking. A clearly agitated San Lorenzo committing a large number of brutal fouls. And so the game ended, 2-0. The Strongest didn´t celebrate on the field, the crowd didn´t chear, but rather grumbled. It was San Lorenzo that celebrated in front of their meager fans, saluting their presence.
Why? Why is a 2-0 victory actually a bitter defeat? Because everyone expects The Strongest will lose in Buenos Aires. The tourney´s measured in home & away games, taking the score differential in case of a 1-1 game tie. The Strongest needs to win, or at least tie, to advance. And they have to do it away, in Buenos Aires.
Posted by Miguel at 12:03 PM
Comments
You forgot goal difference. Assuming South American football works like European football San Lorenzo need to win by 2-0 or more than 2 goals since if the Strongest score they advance because away goals count for more. So if the next game is 3-1 against the strongest they still advance.
Posted by: Francis at September 18, 2003 08:06 AM
Yes, but there's great pessimism that The Strongest won't do well in Buenos Aires. That's why everyone wanted a 3-0 victory, to ensure a good goal differential.
Posted by: miguel at September 18, 2003 11:41 AM
How is the familY? Sorry I haven't posted, I will soon. :) tell everyone I said hi!
Posted by: andres at September 18, 2003 05:39 PM