ARGENTINA: SOCCER/FOOTBALL - Argentina wins the World Cup Soccer for the Blind for the second time

Argentina won soccer's World Cup for the Blind, beating Brazil 1-0 in a tense final on Thursday (November 30) in Buenos Aires. Argentina were the reigning champions, having won the last final in Rio de Janeiro in 2002. As the teams strode onto the concrete pitch there was no Ronaldo, Tevez or Messi - but then it is hard to say how many goals those famous Latin American players would be able to score with blindfolds on anyway. All of the players in the Cup - except for the two goalkeepers - are either blind or visually-impaired. They wear blindfolds to ensure those that those with some sight are not at an advantage over the completely blind players. As the match got underway Brazil started strongly and dominated the majority of the play but the first half ended 0-0. Just like the regular World Cup, the Blind Cup is held every four years, but the matches have no offside and there are only five players a side. To get around the court and locate the ball the players rely solely on sound. The hard concrete courts of the game help them pick up the scuffs of other players moving about, while the ball is filled with ball bearings so it rattles. The players are also supported by their goalkeepers who yell instructions, and a coach from each side crouches behind the goals to issue instructions. Because the players have to listen carefully to what is going on around them, the 1,000-strong crowd that gathered to watch the Cup was ordered to remain absolutely silent. But as the match progressed the stands - completely dominated by the exuberant Argentines - seethed with anticipation. As Brazil prepared to take a penalty the crowd settled enough for the coach to signal to the player exactly where the posts were by tapping them, but after Argentine goalkeeper made a brilliant save the crowd erupted and the referees had to pause the clock several times until the noise died down. Then with only eight minutes left Argentine striker Silvio Velo scored from close range past Brazil's goalkeeper. Brazil failed to recover and the jubilant Argentines - players and crowd alike - exploded with emotion. Velo - who is also the Argentine captain and widely considered as one of the world's best soccer players, sighted or not - was overwhelmed. "The support was amazing. We couldn't have failed, there was no way. And well, I am very thankful to all Argentina; this triumph is for them," Velo said. In true World Cup style the night ended with tears, a flurry of confetti and of course a lap of honour for the winning team.

ITN Source | December 3, 2006

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