A Win and Some Help. Please.

By: Mauro | April 16th, 2008

Club San José vs. Club Deportivo Guadalajara – Chivas (Estadio Jesús Bermúdez, Oruro, Bolivia)
Tape Delay, Wednesday the 16th, on FSE @ 6pm.

Chivas travel up to Oruro, Bolivia to play San José in Group 6 action. San José are virtually eliminated with basically no chance to qualify. Numerically, they would need to beat Chivas, something like 17-0 and hope that Santos lose to Cúcuta which is also unlikely. San José have had a tough go in this Libertadores with their shining moment being when they stole three points from Santos FC in the very stadium they’ll play tonight’s match. Other than that, they have been not much more than a group filler whose best moments came when they had their opponents at a disadvantage playing on their ground at 3,710 meters above sea level.

Chivas haven’t had it much easier. They were victims of Matias Urbano and a modest Cúcuta side that left them with 0 points over two matches. Chivas are coming off a big win at home against Santos FC and are looking to get some points at the stadium nestled in the Andes on tonight. But a win alone won’t be enough. (Get out your calculator) They need the win and either a loss or draw for Santos in the Cúcuta-Santos match. With those results Cúcuta and Chivas advance. Should Chivas fail to get a win (a draw is not enough), Cúcuta and Santos FC will advance. A draw will only get Chivas even on points with Santos (if Santos lose) and there Santos will have to have lost 7-0. Again, unlikely since this is a home match for Santos. And in the end, the story is, Chivas’ chances do not rest solely in their hands.

Bottom Line: Chivas are the visiting team (visiting teams don’t usually win), they have traveled from Guadalajara, Mexico to Oruro, Bolivia and far as I know, Oruro doesn’t have it’s own international airport so that means, 3-hour bus trip! Aside from the other 11 men on the pitch playing against Chivas, they’ll also have to contend with the 3,710 meters above sea level and the effects it could bring. Everything seems stacked against Chivas’ and the outlook is grim. San José have nothing to play for. They play merely to make Chivas’ life more grim. Any idea where I’m going? My pick: 2-2. Neither team will have the firepower to beat the other, Chivas, because the trip and the altitude will factor in and San José just don’t have the players or talent. There will be goals, but no winner. The only happy team at the end of the day in this group will be Cúcuta, they’ve already qualified for the next round.

As always, check the CONMEBOL website for updated standings, results and upcoming matches.