World Cup ’94 : WORLD CUP USA ’94 / GROUP C PREVIEW : Bolivia at a Glance
* COACH: Xavier Azkargorta.
* KEY PLAYERS: Erwin Sanchez, Luis Hector Cristaldo, Julio Cesar Baldivieso.
* STRENGTHS: Bolivia has speed and skill aplenty, with a fondness for playing possession soccer and attacking down the wings. Sanchez, nicknamed “Platini” after former French star Michel Platini, is a playmaking midfielder of some note. Baldivieso is in form and has played well recently.
* WEAKNESSES: The loss of Marco Etcheverry, who suffered torn knee ligaments in November and is on the team but seems unlikely to play, will hurt. So will not having the advantage of playing at high altitude, as the Bolivians do in La Paz. They also are likely to be intimidated by physically stronger and larger opponents.
* WORLD CUP HISTORY: Two previous appearances. Record of 0-3-0. Never advanced beyond the first round.
* LITTLE-KNOWN FACT: Azkargorta, a Basque from Spain, was chosen Bolivia’s man of the year in 1993 after the team’s successful qualifying run.
* OUTLOOK: With little experience at this level, a relatively young team and strong opposition, it is difficult to envision Bolivia lasting long in the tournament. The key to a possible third-place finish in the first round will be the match against South Korea.
* PREDICTED FIRST-ROUND FINISH: Fourth.
ROSTER
No. Name Position 1 Carlos Leonel Trucco Goalkeeper 12 Dario Rojas Goalkeeper 2 Juan Manuel Pena Defender 3 Marco Sandy Defender 4 Miguel Angel Rimba Defender 5 Gustavo Quinteros Defender 13 Modeso Soruco Defender 15 Vladimir Soria Defender 17 Oscar Carmelo Sanchez Defender 6 Carlos Borja Midfielder 7 Mario Pinedo Midfielder 8 Milton Melgar Midfielder 14 Mauricio Ramos Midfielder 16 Luis Hector Cristaldo Midfielder 19 Marcelo Torrico Midfielder 20 Ivan Castillo Midfielder 22 Julio Cesar Baldivieso Midfielder 9 Alvaro Pena Forward 10 Marco Antonio Etcheverry Forward 11 Jaime Moreno Forward 18 William Ramallo Forward 21 Erwin Sanchez Forward
