Altitude.....Disadvantage?

[CHICO13]

Watching yesterdays game against Peru and the whole tournament for that matter, I think we can all agree that our boys can play with anyone. They have the skills and heart and endurance to compete and win. Like any other team we have our weak spots and we have strengths.

But it seems to me that we've been using the altitude as a crutch and not really playing to our identity. Most teams and fans talk about the psychological advantage the we enjoy by playing in La Paz. I think that advantage actually works against us. We're lulled into this false sense of security that makes us think we can hold on there and then play for the tie on the road. Well recent history would negate this train of thought.

As this tournament would show us, we're suited to play a fast crisp passing game. We didn't wilt in the heat, we embraced it. The first two games on rain soaked fields was a bigger detriment than anything else. Yesterday on a dry field we saw the real Bolivian team. And we pretty much dominated Peru.

My proposal is to play to our strength and to build on our home field advantage. We need to make Santa Cruz our home base and build a stadium that is not huge by modern standards but intimidating for opposing teams. Most of our talent comes from that region anyway. And if the ban is lifted we can pick and choose where we want to play. Can you imagine Ecuador or Uruguay playing in Santa Cruz in the middle of summer? (but then I guess someone will start crying about that too)

I think it's time to look forward and to change the way we go about developing our youth and qualifying. The home field advantage is our people. It's time for the FBF to realize that.

[MrNiloBraun]

I've been saying it for years, we need to stop relying on La Paz. For some reason people outside Bolivia think that the altitude only affects their players. It goes both ways and hurts us just the same.

I'd like to see S.Cruz or Cochabamba, but after hearing FBF heads talk about alternatives it looks like S.Cruz wont ever be one of the spots. More than likely if the ban stays we'll play in Sucre. They have probably the better and modern of the stadiums compared to the ones in S.Cruz and Cochabamba which would need serious upgrades.

[dreyx2000]

If the ban is lifted we should build a stadium in Chacaltaya or at least play in Potosi.

[MrNiloBraun]

I think one of the reasons Moreno never played to his potential was the altitude in La Paz

http://www.eldeber.com.bo/2007/2007-07-09/vernotadeportes.php?id=4091

- Una vez dijiste que estabas en deuda con la selección, ¿en qué sentido?
- Futbolísticamente, porque quizás en La Paz nunca rendí como muchos esperaban, pero son cosas que ya han pasado y ahora estoy enfocado en esta nueva selección.

He's not the first Bolivian player to talk about his lack of rendimiento in La Paz. I just don't see the benefit of playing there when it hurts our own and best players who aren't from altitude and who sometimes have as little time to adjusting as opposing players.

[TuAbuelo]

Platini ya dijo que solo convocaria de Cochabamba arriba pa juegos en La Paz y de Cocha abajo pa juegos en St.Cruj. Pero igual la mayoria de los jugadores en La Paz son cruzenos, entonces no seria sorpresa que los partidos en LP igual tengan muchos cruzenos.