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World’s most hostile venue for a World Cup Qualifier ?



Lyndhurst 14

Well-known member
Jan 16, 2008
5,109
US face Mexico tonight at the Azteca Stadium. Playing at Azteca is physically tough owing to the 7,200 foot altitude but it’s also physcologically challenging knowing that only one team, Costa Rica, has ever won a World Cup qualifier there in 2001. Players say the first 20 minutes are the worst when you always feel like you are struggling for oxygen. A draw is probably the best the US can hope for.

World's most hostile stadium ?
 

Man of Harveys

Well-known member
Jul 9, 2003
18,726
Brighton, UK
Massive game - hope for unser Jurgen's sake that the US can get a result, plus I'd hate for them to miss out on the world cup. But as you say, tough as hell.
 

Mellotron

I've asked for soup
Jul 2, 2008
31,671
Brighton
Bit ridiculous for one side to have that much of advantage, isn't it?
 

Commander

Well-known member
NSC Licker Extraordinaire
Apr 28, 2004
12,767
London
Bolivia's is at nearly 12,000 feet I think. Although I'm not sure they're allowed to play there anymore. Mental place.
 

arkan

Active member
Jan 26, 2010
387
Sittingbourne
Bolivia's is at nearly 12,000 feet I think. Although I'm not sure they're allowed to play there anymore. Mental place.

According to wikipedia FIFA did bring in an altitude ban in in 2007, but after alot of protesting by the Bolivian FA and President their home ground in La Paz was exempted from the ban.
 


hybrid_x

Banned
Jun 28, 2011
2,225
mexico are played 2 lost 2 so far - so using all the tricks they can, and playing early afternoon too.

anyone see the ozzies nearly lost ot oman today.....heheh....0-2 down but drew.
 

Man of Harveys

Well-known member
Jul 9, 2003
18,726
Brighton, UK
I'm not sure these countries can do much about their topography, to be fair - any more than the US could do anything about that insane blizzard in Colorado against Costa Rica, say. Plus Mexico and the Azteca have hosted two of the best evah world cups.
 

Lyndhurst 14

Well-known member
Jan 16, 2008
5,109
Massive game - hope for unser Jurgen's sake that the US can get a result, plus I'd hate for them to miss out on the world cup.

I hope so too. It doesn’t help that Landon Donovan has decided to go AWOL. Klinsman said on Monday “Donovan is not part of the plans because simply he is not playing and not training.”

The missing piece - New York Times
 


Simster

"the man's an arse"
Jul 7, 2003
54,093
Surrey
I'm not sure these countries can do much about their topography, to be fair - any more than the US could do anything about that insane blizzard in Colorado against Costa Rica, say. Plus Mexico and the Azteca have hosted two of the best evah world cups.

Costa Rica are whining about that. Or at least I thought it was whining until I saw the footage when I concluded the conditions were totally absurd for soccering.

I hope the Americans get something in Mexico tonight. I do dislike the arrogance of Mexican football fans. They act like they are a major power and not the two bob outfit that their domestic game and world cup track record clearly indicates that they are.
 

Man of Harveys

Well-known member
Jul 9, 2003
18,726
Brighton, UK
Costa Rica are whining about that. Or at least I thought it was whining until I saw the footage when I concluded the conditions were totally absurd for soccering.

It's hard to tell of course but when the ref tried to take both teams off at the start of the second half, it did look as if the Costa Ricans were pleading as much as the Americans for the game to continue: they were losing at the time but looked very much like they were about to score. I don't think their appeal has a chance tbh. EPIC game.
 

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