1 00:00:02,759 --> 00:00:04,720 Speaker 1: The first time I watched the Peruvian soccer team in 2 00:00:04,760 --> 00:00:07,080 Speaker 1: person was in Los Angeles in two thousand and nine, 3 00:00:07,440 --> 00:00:10,479 Speaker 1: when they played a friendly game against El Salvador. I 4 00:00:10,560 --> 00:00:14,400 Speaker 1: was twenty one. The rain poured on us as we 5 00:00:14,440 --> 00:00:16,919 Speaker 1: watched our team lose. I was there with my dad 6 00:00:16,920 --> 00:00:19,000 Speaker 1: and a couple of other family members, and we were 7 00:00:19,000 --> 00:00:21,520 Speaker 1: some of the only Peruvians soaking in a sea of 8 00:00:21,560 --> 00:00:22,240 Speaker 1: blue and white. 9 00:00:24,079 --> 00:00:25,640 Speaker 2: We cheered as loud as we could. 10 00:00:26,440 --> 00:00:28,200 Speaker 1: My dad and I stood in the stands until the 11 00:00:28,360 --> 00:00:31,600 Speaker 1: very end, hoping for a goal, but that moment never came. 12 00:00:32,880 --> 00:00:37,000 Speaker 2: He stayed quiet. He probably saw it coming. Losing was 13 00:00:37,040 --> 00:00:37,640 Speaker 2: nothing new. 14 00:00:42,040 --> 00:00:44,520 Speaker 1: The other day I asked my dad remember that game 15 00:00:44,560 --> 00:00:47,200 Speaker 1: we lost seven zero the when we watched in the rain. 16 00:00:47,640 --> 00:00:50,080 Speaker 1: He told me I was being dramatic and to google it. 17 00:00:50,080 --> 00:00:56,080 Speaker 1: It was actually just one zero, but the loss seemed 18 00:00:56,200 --> 00:00:59,080 Speaker 1: so much bigger and much more drastic in my head. 19 00:00:59,480 --> 00:01:02,560 Speaker 1: Were the kind of team that would lose seven zero. 20 00:01:03,400 --> 00:01:05,959 Speaker 1: The year after that rainy game, we ended up dead 21 00:01:06,120 --> 00:01:08,960 Speaker 1: last in the South American qualifiers for the twenty ten 22 00:01:09,000 --> 00:01:11,840 Speaker 1: World Cup. I guess that pretty much sums up my 23 00:01:11,959 --> 00:01:15,400 Speaker 1: memories of the Peruvian national team losing one game after 24 00:01:15,480 --> 00:01:20,319 Speaker 1: another until last year when everything finally changed. 25 00:01:24,520 --> 00:01:37,679 Speaker 3: From Futuro media It's Latino USA. I'm Maria Inojosa. In March, 26 00:01:38,040 --> 00:01:41,319 Speaker 3: the sports world came to a screeching halt. 27 00:01:41,959 --> 00:01:45,119 Speaker 2: Breaking news. The MLS joining the party when it comes 28 00:01:45,200 --> 00:01:49,720 Speaker 2: to suspending play. The NBA is suspending the season. We 29 00:01:49,760 --> 00:01:50,640 Speaker 2: have some breaking news. 30 00:01:50,640 --> 00:01:54,760 Speaker 4: The Masters has officially been postponed at this time that announcement. 31 00:01:54,880 --> 00:01:59,640 Speaker 3: One by one, sports leagues around the globe canceled games, tournaments, 32 00:01:59,680 --> 00:02:03,200 Speaker 3: and spone their entire seasons due to the spread of 33 00:02:03,240 --> 00:02:07,080 Speaker 3: COVID nineteen. So what do loyal sports fans do to 34 00:02:07,120 --> 00:02:10,959 Speaker 3: cope with confinement and no live sports to watch. Well, 35 00:02:11,240 --> 00:02:13,640 Speaker 3: a lot of them have been looking back into the 36 00:02:13,680 --> 00:02:18,480 Speaker 3: past and reliving their favorite sports moments through highlights on YouTube, 37 00:02:18,639 --> 00:02:23,520 Speaker 3: or by rewatching iconic games, or by simply sharing a 38 00:02:23,560 --> 00:02:27,760 Speaker 3: photo on social media of the last sporting events they attended. 39 00:02:28,440 --> 00:02:31,120 Speaker 3: So we have a little treat for you, dear listener. 40 00:02:31,280 --> 00:02:34,480 Speaker 3: We're bringing you an episode from our vault and taking 41 00:02:34,520 --> 00:02:38,000 Speaker 3: you back to twenty eighteen to a story of hope, 42 00:02:38,480 --> 00:02:42,520 Speaker 3: and it takes place on soccer's biggest stage, the World Cup. 43 00:02:43,360 --> 00:02:45,919 Speaker 2: What lives of it up cutsing on me in ads. 44 00:02:47,120 --> 00:02:50,560 Speaker 3: In twenty eighteen, it wasn't only the usual teams who 45 00:02:50,560 --> 00:02:54,880 Speaker 3: were playing, you know, teams like Mexico, Spain, Argentina or Brazil. 46 00:02:55,639 --> 00:02:58,400 Speaker 3: In fact, you could say that the twenty eighteen Cup 47 00:02:58,680 --> 00:03:02,600 Speaker 3: was the year of the underdog. Like Panama, which qualified 48 00:03:02,639 --> 00:03:09,160 Speaker 3: for its first ever World Cup, Little Iceland also qualified 49 00:03:09,200 --> 00:03:12,720 Speaker 3: for the first time, and each of qualified after twenty 50 00:03:12,760 --> 00:03:16,360 Speaker 3: eight years. But the underdog we're going to talk about 51 00:03:16,400 --> 00:03:20,120 Speaker 3: today is Bedu and their return to the World Cup 52 00:03:20,240 --> 00:03:24,440 Speaker 3: after thirty six long years. Producer Jennie Yamoga is going 53 00:03:24,520 --> 00:03:25,680 Speaker 3: to tell us the story now. 54 00:03:26,120 --> 00:03:28,320 Speaker 2: Before we get started, there's a few things you should 55 00:03:28,360 --> 00:03:28,800 Speaker 2: know about me. 56 00:03:29,400 --> 00:03:33,119 Speaker 1: One I was born in Los Angeles, California. 57 00:03:34,840 --> 00:03:46,720 Speaker 2: And two I'm Peruvian American No Tema. That's my dad, Beppe. 58 00:03:47,080 --> 00:03:49,640 Speaker 1: He's tall, in his sixties, with barely any white hairs 59 00:03:49,960 --> 00:03:52,280 Speaker 1: and a bit of a reserve guy. He grew up 60 00:03:52,320 --> 00:03:54,840 Speaker 1: in Peru, in the city called Cyao. He said that 61 00:03:54,880 --> 00:03:57,360 Speaker 1: he and my mom taught me a lot about Perubing culture. 62 00:03:57,840 --> 00:03:59,800 Speaker 1: My parents left Peru in the mid eighties when the 63 00:04:00,320 --> 00:04:03,680 Speaker 1: was going through an economic and social crisis. For my parents, 64 00:04:03,960 --> 00:04:06,240 Speaker 1: there wasn't a lot of time to learn what American 65 00:04:06,320 --> 00:04:09,920 Speaker 1: culture was, so I was immersed in Proven culture growing up. 66 00:04:10,360 --> 00:04:11,920 Speaker 1: For example, when my sister and I. 67 00:04:11,920 --> 00:04:13,880 Speaker 2: Were kids became as. 68 00:04:17,640 --> 00:04:19,960 Speaker 1: My dad would play Proven music for us all the 69 00:04:20,040 --> 00:04:29,840 Speaker 1: time in the house, especially on the weekends when he 70 00:04:29,880 --> 00:04:32,520 Speaker 1: would make sivice. I kind of felt like I lived 71 00:04:32,520 --> 00:04:41,480 Speaker 1: in a provin restaurant. Aside from music, we drank in 72 00:04:41,520 --> 00:04:44,400 Speaker 1: gogola and at one point we had a replica of 73 00:04:44,440 --> 00:04:47,720 Speaker 1: a gold to me a provin ceremonial knife nailed to 74 00:04:47,760 --> 00:04:50,680 Speaker 1: a wall. Oh and I can't forget the collection of 75 00:04:50,760 --> 00:04:54,040 Speaker 1: Yama dolls we have scattered around the house. And of course, 76 00:04:54,160 --> 00:04:56,520 Speaker 1: when they could, my parents took us on an eight 77 00:04:56,560 --> 00:04:58,680 Speaker 1: hour plane ride to go play with all of our 78 00:04:58,720 --> 00:05:03,960 Speaker 1: cousins that lived more than four thousand miles away in Peru. 79 00:05:07,000 --> 00:05:09,920 Speaker 1: All this is say, like my dad said, it's all 80 00:05:09,960 --> 00:05:10,719 Speaker 1: a part of why. 81 00:05:10,560 --> 00:05:12,400 Speaker 2: My sister and I feel so Peruvian. 82 00:05:13,960 --> 00:05:17,120 Speaker 1: Being Peruvian was rare in Los Angeles, where almost every 83 00:05:17,200 --> 00:05:20,719 Speaker 1: brown person is assumed to be Mexican, but a little 84 00:05:20,760 --> 00:05:24,839 Speaker 1: Peru existed within the walls of my family's home. Oh 85 00:05:24,960 --> 00:05:27,640 Speaker 1: and one last thing. My dad also passed on his 86 00:05:27,680 --> 00:05:32,320 Speaker 1: love for soccer, specifically Peruvian soccer. Every Saturday morning, I 87 00:05:32,320 --> 00:05:40,720 Speaker 1: would wake up to the sounds of love and loyalty 88 00:05:40,800 --> 00:05:44,000 Speaker 1: for the Peruvian national soccer team was practically a religion 89 00:05:44,040 --> 00:05:50,000 Speaker 1: I was born into. And though it pains me to say, 90 00:05:50,200 --> 00:05:54,719 Speaker 1: for my entire life, Peru has sucked at soccer. See 91 00:05:54,960 --> 00:05:58,560 Speaker 1: soccer is a lifestyle in Latin America, and Latin Americans 92 00:05:58,600 --> 00:06:02,080 Speaker 1: pride themselves on playing it well. Countries like Argentina, Brazil, 93 00:06:02,160 --> 00:06:06,040 Speaker 1: Colombia they're not famous just for playing soccer, but playing 94 00:06:06,040 --> 00:06:09,360 Speaker 1: it with their own signature style, and every four years 95 00:06:09,760 --> 00:06:12,080 Speaker 1: they go to the World Cup to show the world 96 00:06:12,240 --> 00:06:19,359 Speaker 1: what they can do. Peru had never even qualified for 97 00:06:19,400 --> 00:06:21,760 Speaker 1: a World Cup in my lifetime, but. 98 00:06:21,800 --> 00:06:23,560 Speaker 2: For my dad it was different. 99 00:06:25,240 --> 00:06:27,160 Speaker 1: He was there during a golden age of prug in 100 00:06:27,200 --> 00:06:29,960 Speaker 1: soccer in the nineteen seventies when Peru made it back 101 00:06:30,000 --> 00:06:32,680 Speaker 1: to the World Cup for the first time since nineteen thirty. 102 00:06:37,200 --> 00:06:38,760 Speaker 2: My dad was sixteen when it happened. 103 00:06:41,240 --> 00:06:42,320 Speaker 4: Majoris sal. 104 00:06:44,560 --> 00:06:47,479 Speaker 1: He remembers people of all ages came together on the 105 00:06:47,480 --> 00:06:48,880 Speaker 1: streets to cheer and run. 106 00:06:49,080 --> 00:06:50,320 Speaker 2: There were parties everywhere. 107 00:06:50,839 --> 00:06:58,400 Speaker 1: Yes, my dad says it was exciting, and I know 108 00:06:58,480 --> 00:07:01,360 Speaker 1: you can't tell from his voice, but it was exciting 109 00:07:02,000 --> 00:07:05,120 Speaker 1: and he says he remembers it like yesterday because soccer 110 00:07:05,320 --> 00:07:13,360 Speaker 1: is his life. For cases, the country went on to 111 00:07:13,440 --> 00:07:17,000 Speaker 1: qualify for three World Cups in those years, and they 112 00:07:17,080 --> 00:07:19,560 Speaker 1: even had special songs to motivate the team on the 113 00:07:19,600 --> 00:07:24,160 Speaker 1: way to each cup. There's Peru Campion, Peru, the champion 114 00:07:24,360 --> 00:07:25,960 Speaker 1: for the nineteen seventy World Cup. 115 00:07:26,520 --> 00:07:29,200 Speaker 2: Peru, Come Tailed, Peru, Come. 116 00:07:29,080 --> 00:07:33,520 Speaker 1: Tailed Peru with you, Peru for the nineteen seventy eight 117 00:07:33,560 --> 00:07:41,760 Speaker 1: World Cup. Yes, and paps Peru to Spain eighty two, 118 00:07:42,080 --> 00:07:45,120 Speaker 1: which you guessed it was composed for the nineteen eighty 119 00:07:45,160 --> 00:07:53,000 Speaker 1: two World Cup in Spain, and that's where it ended. 120 00:07:53,920 --> 00:07:57,240 Speaker 1: In the years that followed, the country suffered economically, and 121 00:07:57,360 --> 00:08:02,880 Speaker 1: violence within the country began to rise mana because of 122 00:08:02,960 --> 00:08:08,360 Speaker 1: armed insurgent groups like the Shining Path. This is around 123 00:08:08,400 --> 00:08:10,920 Speaker 1: the time my parents left Peru and headed to the 124 00:08:11,040 --> 00:08:19,960 Speaker 1: US in search of a better life. Per My dad 125 00:08:20,000 --> 00:08:22,720 Speaker 1: says the hardest part about leaving Peru was leaving his 126 00:08:22,760 --> 00:08:35,280 Speaker 1: mom my grandmother behind. In nineteen eighty seven, in the 127 00:08:35,320 --> 00:08:38,760 Speaker 1: midst of the chaos, a plane carrying one of Peru's 128 00:08:38,760 --> 00:08:42,640 Speaker 1: beloved club teams crashed into the Pacific Ocean, killing an 129 00:08:42,840 --> 00:08:46,800 Speaker 1: entire team of promising young players. It was as if 130 00:08:46,840 --> 00:08:49,800 Speaker 1: the dreams of the nation crashed into the Pacific as well. 131 00:08:50,800 --> 00:08:54,840 Speaker 1: The country was heartbroken, but continued to suffer economically and 132 00:08:54,960 --> 00:08:59,280 Speaker 1: political chaos continued. For the people, it felt like in 133 00:08:59,400 --> 00:09:07,880 Speaker 1: every single aspect, Peru's just not good enough In the US, 134 00:09:08,040 --> 00:09:11,120 Speaker 1: my parents settled in San Gabriel Valley east of Los Angeles, 135 00:09:11,600 --> 00:09:14,240 Speaker 1: living in apartments stuff of family and friends who also 136 00:09:14,240 --> 00:09:17,680 Speaker 1: made a track from Peru. There they began to form 137 00:09:17,720 --> 00:09:20,520 Speaker 1: their own little community and they kept their culture alive 138 00:09:20,720 --> 00:09:23,800 Speaker 1: through music, food, and of course cheering for the Peru 139 00:09:23,920 --> 00:09:29,120 Speaker 1: and national team. But the seventy soccer Golden Age marked 140 00:09:29,120 --> 00:09:31,880 Speaker 1: the last time my whole family was together in Peru, 141 00:09:32,720 --> 00:09:36,400 Speaker 1: and every time they share their stories, I'm instantly transported 142 00:09:36,440 --> 00:09:39,560 Speaker 1: to the frozen era in time before families were apart, 143 00:09:39,960 --> 00:09:43,679 Speaker 1: before a loved ones started dying, And for me, I 144 00:09:43,720 --> 00:09:47,480 Speaker 1: love hearing those stories to imagine a happier time for 145 00:09:47,559 --> 00:09:51,080 Speaker 1: both the Pruvian team and my family. But it's bittersweet 146 00:09:51,520 --> 00:09:58,680 Speaker 1: because I never actually experienced any of it. But then, 147 00:09:59,000 --> 00:10:02,440 Speaker 1: for the first time in my lifetime, Peru had a 148 00:10:02,480 --> 00:10:09,000 Speaker 1: real chance. Qualifiers were underway to determine which teams would 149 00:10:09,000 --> 00:10:11,599 Speaker 1: make it to the twenty eighteen World Cup in Russia. 150 00:10:11,679 --> 00:10:14,240 Speaker 5: It's important to remember that at the beginning of these qualifiers, 151 00:10:14,280 --> 00:10:15,680 Speaker 5: Peru was not doing well. 152 00:10:15,920 --> 00:10:17,320 Speaker 2: That's least me get it a Chegaai. 153 00:10:17,559 --> 00:10:20,720 Speaker 1: He's the director of Latino content at Sports Illustrated and 154 00:10:20,800 --> 00:10:21,640 Speaker 1: he's prouven too. 155 00:10:21,840 --> 00:10:25,319 Speaker 5: We actually only won two matches out of the. 156 00:10:25,280 --> 00:10:26,640 Speaker 2: First ten, but then. 157 00:10:33,679 --> 00:10:36,880 Speaker 1: Peru beat soccer powerhouse uru Way in the fifth to 158 00:10:37,000 --> 00:10:38,160 Speaker 1: last qualifying game. 159 00:10:42,520 --> 00:10:45,600 Speaker 5: I do believe that that Uruay at Home win was 160 00:10:45,800 --> 00:10:48,719 Speaker 5: when peruvin started saying, hold up a second, maybe we 161 00:10:48,760 --> 00:10:49,400 Speaker 5: can do this. 162 00:10:50,120 --> 00:10:51,880 Speaker 1: I watched the game alone through a live stream on 163 00:10:51,920 --> 00:10:54,840 Speaker 1: my laptop in my apartment in New York City on 164 00:10:54,880 --> 00:10:57,120 Speaker 1: the other side of the country from my family in La. 165 00:10:57,920 --> 00:11:01,280 Speaker 1: It was around this time I joking, but Semi seriously 166 00:11:01,320 --> 00:11:04,079 Speaker 1: called my dad and told him, if Peru goes to 167 00:11:04,120 --> 00:11:07,880 Speaker 1: the World Cup, we're going, and he said yes, just 168 00:11:07,920 --> 00:11:08,520 Speaker 1: to shut me up. 169 00:11:08,559 --> 00:11:09,120 Speaker 2: I think. 170 00:11:12,840 --> 00:11:14,920 Speaker 1: If you're not familiar with how teams qualify for the 171 00:11:14,960 --> 00:11:18,880 Speaker 1: World Cup, consider this your quick lesson. There are only 172 00:11:19,040 --> 00:11:22,000 Speaker 1: thirty two spots in the World Cup. To get a spot, 173 00:11:22,200 --> 00:11:26,360 Speaker 1: countries within each region compete against each other, so European 174 00:11:26,400 --> 00:11:29,800 Speaker 1: teams play against European teams, and Asian teams play against 175 00:11:29,800 --> 00:11:34,240 Speaker 1: Asian teams, etc. And the South American qualifiers are arguably 176 00:11:34,280 --> 00:11:37,120 Speaker 1: the most competitive. To make it to the World Cup, 177 00:11:37,360 --> 00:11:40,920 Speaker 1: Peru would have to survive amongst soccer giants like Brazil 178 00:11:41,120 --> 00:11:45,319 Speaker 1: and Argentina. This team had no well known international stars, 179 00:11:45,520 --> 00:11:50,040 Speaker 1: no messies, no name mars. But we did have Paul Gerrero, 180 00:11:50,600 --> 00:11:53,880 Speaker 1: a player with bad boy vibes, tattooed with slick back hair, 181 00:11:54,160 --> 00:11:58,080 Speaker 1: and Peru's all time leading scorer, and so with a 182 00:11:58,080 --> 00:12:02,319 Speaker 1: few games left, our World Cup dream almost seemed possible. 183 00:12:02,880 --> 00:12:06,640 Speaker 1: And soon the team found themselves facing two time World 184 00:12:06,720 --> 00:12:17,960 Speaker 1: Cup champions Argentina. 185 00:12:14,640 --> 00:12:23,920 Speaker 2: And they tied. Meanwhile, in the Latino USA office, the. 186 00:12:23,800 --> 00:12:27,280 Speaker 1: Only thing I know about soccer is something about Peru 187 00:12:27,600 --> 00:12:29,880 Speaker 1: is a big deal, basically because of you. 188 00:12:30,080 --> 00:12:32,680 Speaker 3: I'd say, like maybe, and maybe I'm wrong, but I 189 00:12:32,679 --> 00:12:34,680 Speaker 3: feel like once a week you wear your jersey. 190 00:12:34,840 --> 00:12:38,840 Speaker 1: That's producers Maggie Freeling and Antonia Serajido. They and everyone 191 00:12:38,840 --> 00:12:42,040 Speaker 1: else in the office witnessed me being completely obsessed with 192 00:12:42,040 --> 00:12:44,720 Speaker 1: Peru and the World Cup qualifiers, Like I would bring 193 00:12:44,760 --> 00:12:46,840 Speaker 1: the proof flag to the office and hang it up 194 00:12:46,840 --> 00:12:49,600 Speaker 1: on a wall on game days, totally normal. 195 00:12:51,880 --> 00:12:54,000 Speaker 2: By October, Peru was on a roll. 196 00:12:54,440 --> 00:12:57,600 Speaker 1: They hadn't lost a game in five matches, but they 197 00:12:57,640 --> 00:13:09,680 Speaker 1: had one game left against Colombia, which thanks to a 198 00:13:09,720 --> 00:13:17,600 Speaker 1: beautiful free kick from our captain, ended up in a tie. 199 00:13:17,640 --> 00:13:20,200 Speaker 1: After all that fun math and all the points were added, 200 00:13:20,840 --> 00:13:22,000 Speaker 1: we were in fifth place. 201 00:13:22,600 --> 00:13:23,280 Speaker 2: So close. 202 00:13:25,320 --> 00:13:25,520 Speaker 3: See. 203 00:13:25,520 --> 00:13:27,480 Speaker 1: The way it works is that the first four South 204 00:13:27,480 --> 00:13:30,280 Speaker 1: American teams go straight to the World Cup and the 205 00:13:30,320 --> 00:13:32,760 Speaker 1: fifth place team only goes to the World Cup if 206 00:13:32,760 --> 00:13:35,320 Speaker 1: they play a two game playoff series against the top 207 00:13:35,360 --> 00:13:41,160 Speaker 1: team in Oceania, in this case New Zealand. But a 208 00:13:41,160 --> 00:13:44,120 Speaker 1: week before the first game against New Zealand, news breaks 209 00:13:44,160 --> 00:13:51,280 Speaker 1: out the bad way player described earlier and Peru's team captain, 210 00:13:51,679 --> 00:13:54,800 Speaker 1: he was suspended by FIFA for thirty days for failing 211 00:13:54,800 --> 00:13:59,160 Speaker 1: a doping test. Chemicals associated with cocaine were found in 212 00:13:59,200 --> 00:13:59,760 Speaker 1: his system. 213 00:14:00,120 --> 00:14:03,840 Speaker 5: So before the Argentina game, Palo drank and mata de coca. 214 00:14:03,880 --> 00:14:06,960 Speaker 1: I know, I know, it sounds shady, but Bolo claimed 215 00:14:07,000 --> 00:14:11,120 Speaker 1: he accidentally drank mata de coca or coca tea, which 216 00:14:11,120 --> 00:14:14,560 Speaker 1: is a traditional tea from Andian nations like Peru and Bolivia. 217 00:14:15,160 --> 00:14:18,520 Speaker 1: It's used to help with high altitudes, and since cocaine 218 00:14:18,600 --> 00:14:20,960 Speaker 1: is derived from coca leaves, the tea has chemicals in 219 00:14:21,000 --> 00:14:24,960 Speaker 1: it that can trigger doping tests. Either way, Bolo Grrero 220 00:14:25,240 --> 00:14:28,200 Speaker 1: was going to miss the playoffs. He helped the team 221 00:14:28,240 --> 00:14:30,280 Speaker 1: get there and it was up to the rest of 222 00:14:30,320 --> 00:14:33,920 Speaker 1: the team to get to the World Cup. The first game, 223 00:14:34,200 --> 00:14:37,720 Speaker 1: nobody scored, which put all the pressure on the second game. 224 00:14:38,360 --> 00:14:41,000 Speaker 1: This was the game that would decide it all. I 225 00:14:41,040 --> 00:14:43,840 Speaker 1: even felt the pressure, so I did something a little 226 00:14:43,880 --> 00:14:47,240 Speaker 1: extreme on a whim. I flew across the country back 227 00:14:47,280 --> 00:14:50,240 Speaker 1: home to my own little Peru to watch the game 228 00:14:50,240 --> 00:14:53,720 Speaker 1: with my family in La. If we won, we were 229 00:14:53,760 --> 00:14:57,400 Speaker 1: going to the World Cup. My family packed the living 230 00:14:57,480 --> 00:15:00,200 Speaker 1: room all in red and white. My dad was an 231 00:15:00,240 --> 00:15:10,080 Speaker 1: airhorn duty. The game was tied zero zero. Then in 232 00:15:10,120 --> 00:15:11,280 Speaker 1: the twenty eighth minute. 233 00:15:11,160 --> 00:15:13,720 Speaker 5: When Christian Queva held the bowl pass it to Farfan, 234 00:15:14,040 --> 00:15:15,200 Speaker 5: the country just went insane. 235 00:15:23,640 --> 00:15:27,160 Speaker 1: In Peru, the celebration of people jumping and screaming after 236 00:15:27,200 --> 00:15:31,560 Speaker 1: Farfan's goal was so intense it activated an earthquake alarm 237 00:15:31,600 --> 00:15:32,520 Speaker 1: detector in Chile. 238 00:15:32,760 --> 00:15:35,360 Speaker 5: That's when we started thinking, this is it. We're making it. 239 00:15:39,800 --> 00:15:42,280 Speaker 1: In La, my family and I were blue to the screen. 240 00:15:44,200 --> 00:15:48,440 Speaker 1: The clock was ticking and Peru scored again. We won 241 00:15:48,760 --> 00:15:54,960 Speaker 1: to nothing. We were the last country in the world 242 00:15:55,000 --> 00:15:59,200 Speaker 1: to qualify. We were in Peru was going to the 243 00:15:59,200 --> 00:16:04,080 Speaker 1: two thousand and eight World Cup in Russia. I love 244 00:16:04,160 --> 00:16:07,280 Speaker 1: this team not because I grew up in Peru, but 245 00:16:07,360 --> 00:16:09,640 Speaker 1: because I grew up immersed in my family's love for 246 00:16:09,720 --> 00:16:13,720 Speaker 1: their country, and especially their love for the family they had. 247 00:16:13,560 --> 00:16:14,760 Speaker 2: To leave behind in Peru. 248 00:16:19,160 --> 00:16:21,200 Speaker 1: So when I hear this tape of my cousin crying, 249 00:16:21,680 --> 00:16:24,560 Speaker 1: it's almost impossible for me to not start crying myself. 250 00:16:29,280 --> 00:16:30,160 Speaker 2: And it's because I. 251 00:16:30,080 --> 00:16:33,320 Speaker 1: Know in that moment she was probably thinking about her 252 00:16:33,360 --> 00:16:37,280 Speaker 1: father who passed away, and how ecstatic he would have 253 00:16:37,280 --> 00:16:40,320 Speaker 1: been in that moment to see Peru make it. How 254 00:16:40,360 --> 00:16:43,040 Speaker 1: she wished she could have had that moment with him. 255 00:16:44,200 --> 00:16:46,480 Speaker 1: Everyone in my house gave each other big hugs that day, 256 00:16:47,120 --> 00:16:48,720 Speaker 1: and I hugged my dad extra tight. 257 00:17:01,800 --> 00:17:05,720 Speaker 3: Coming up on Latino USA, the Yamokas go to Russia. 258 00:17:06,160 --> 00:17:56,879 Speaker 3: Stay with us, Yes, Hey, we're back. And when we 259 00:17:56,960 --> 00:17:59,600 Speaker 3: left off, bed Wu had just qualified for the World 260 00:17:59,640 --> 00:18:03,200 Speaker 3: Cup for the first time in thirty six years. Producer 261 00:18:03,280 --> 00:18:04,640 Speaker 3: Jane Yamoca picks up. 262 00:18:04,600 --> 00:18:05,200 Speaker 2: The story now. 263 00:18:08,320 --> 00:18:10,840 Speaker 1: The day after Peru qualified, I was still a ball 264 00:18:10,920 --> 00:18:13,560 Speaker 1: of emotions. I took up my recorder and talked to 265 00:18:13,600 --> 00:18:14,920 Speaker 1: my dad at home in our kitchen. 266 00:18:17,040 --> 00:18:17,600 Speaker 3: Is okay? 267 00:18:17,800 --> 00:18:20,320 Speaker 2: He says that now the world will know that Peru 268 00:18:20,400 --> 00:18:20,720 Speaker 2: has what. 269 00:18:20,680 --> 00:18:25,679 Speaker 1: It takes to face any tea. It was time to 270 00:18:25,720 --> 00:18:28,080 Speaker 1: remind my dad about the deal we made that if 271 00:18:28,080 --> 00:18:30,560 Speaker 1: Peru made it, the two of us were going to 272 00:18:30,600 --> 00:18:31,280 Speaker 1: the World Cup. 273 00:18:32,119 --> 00:18:36,840 Speaker 2: When when was the Russia? 274 00:18:38,400 --> 00:18:41,280 Speaker 1: So we're going to Russia, I asked, and he said, sure, 275 00:18:41,520 --> 00:18:44,680 Speaker 1: if we can. So I bought our plane tickets. A 276 00:18:44,720 --> 00:18:48,200 Speaker 1: week later, he was going on the ultimate father Daughters 277 00:18:48,160 --> 00:18:54,360 Speaker 1: soccer adventure and there was no turning bag. A few 278 00:18:54,400 --> 00:18:56,919 Speaker 1: weeks before the World Cup, I went into a recording 279 00:18:56,920 --> 00:18:58,680 Speaker 1: booth at the Latino USA office. 280 00:18:59,440 --> 00:19:02,960 Speaker 2: This is a dream that's coming true, and it's so weird. 281 00:19:03,000 --> 00:19:03,520 Speaker 2: It's weird. 282 00:19:03,880 --> 00:19:06,440 Speaker 1: I'm still kind of in shock that I'm going to 283 00:19:06,480 --> 00:19:08,119 Speaker 1: go in a few weeks, and maybe that's why it 284 00:19:08,119 --> 00:19:14,320 Speaker 1: hasn't hit me. In this envelope, I have another envelope 285 00:19:14,359 --> 00:19:17,320 Speaker 1: and I haven't opened it yet, but I believe that 286 00:19:17,359 --> 00:19:22,160 Speaker 1: they're my tickets. Let's see, Okay, they're for sure my tickets. 287 00:19:23,320 --> 00:19:26,000 Speaker 1: I learned the team chance and even memorized the Pruvian 288 00:19:26,080 --> 00:19:33,480 Speaker 1: national anthem. I mean, if I'm going, I'm going all 289 00:19:33,520 --> 00:19:36,720 Speaker 1: the way. My dad and I even learned some Russian 290 00:19:37,560 --> 00:19:40,680 Speaker 1: yet the spasiva. 291 00:19:41,280 --> 00:19:45,879 Speaker 2: Thank you. That's all I know, That's all we're getting. 292 00:19:50,600 --> 00:19:53,760 Speaker 1: Then, a month before the World Cup started, people ruled 293 00:19:53,800 --> 00:19:57,520 Speaker 1: that our captain and star player wasn't going to play 294 00:19:57,520 --> 00:20:00,640 Speaker 1: in the World Cup because of the doping test. Without him, 295 00:20:00,840 --> 00:20:02,600 Speaker 1: we didn't have much of a chance to do well 296 00:20:02,600 --> 00:20:06,600 Speaker 1: in the tournament. We were devastated. There were protests in. 297 00:20:06,560 --> 00:20:07,240 Speaker 2: Peru, and. 298 00:20:12,160 --> 00:20:16,119 Speaker 1: Literally two weeks before the tournament started, he was finally 299 00:20:16,400 --> 00:20:22,840 Speaker 1: and officially cleared to play. Okay, now that we have 300 00:20:22,880 --> 00:20:25,439 Speaker 1: our star player and my dad and I are fluent 301 00:20:25,480 --> 00:20:26,440 Speaker 1: in Russian. 302 00:20:26,600 --> 00:20:28,240 Speaker 2: World Cup, here we come. 303 00:20:31,359 --> 00:20:34,119 Speaker 1: The plane right to Moscow was everything you would imagine 304 00:20:34,160 --> 00:20:35,320 Speaker 1: a World Cup flight to be. 305 00:20:37,000 --> 00:20:38,320 Speaker 2: Everyone was already wearing. 306 00:20:38,160 --> 00:20:41,119 Speaker 1: Their team's jerseys except my dad and I, who seemed 307 00:20:41,119 --> 00:20:45,000 Speaker 1: like World Cup rookies, and our regular clothes. The fans 308 00:20:45,000 --> 00:20:49,720 Speaker 1: were basically split into two groups, Peru and Mexico. 309 00:20:50,400 --> 00:20:52,440 Speaker 2: That is, Jaman Welcome to Moscow. 310 00:20:54,680 --> 00:20:56,679 Speaker 1: It was a day before the World Cup started, and 311 00:20:56,800 --> 00:21:05,560 Speaker 1: fans spilled all over the city. At this point, people 312 00:21:05,600 --> 00:21:09,320 Speaker 1: were just thrilled to be there. Everyone seemed hopeful and 313 00:21:09,400 --> 00:21:17,439 Speaker 1: it was contagious. At the end of a long main street, 314 00:21:17,920 --> 00:21:34,560 Speaker 1: my dad and I finally found the proof fans. 315 00:21:28,760 --> 00:21:29,480 Speaker 2: On the streets. 316 00:21:29,600 --> 00:21:33,040 Speaker 1: Proof fans dressed up as Inco Royalty, wore traditional clothing 317 00:21:33,080 --> 00:21:36,360 Speaker 1: from the area as they came from, and proven. Facebook 318 00:21:36,440 --> 00:21:40,240 Speaker 1: showed there was a Yama around Moscow that went viral well. 319 00:21:40,400 --> 00:21:43,439 Speaker 1: It was a man wearing a Yama costume, only to 320 00:21:43,480 --> 00:21:46,240 Speaker 1: be eclipsed by another man dressed as a giant quak 321 00:21:46,720 --> 00:21:49,560 Speaker 1: aka a guinea pig, a proven delicacy. 322 00:21:54,920 --> 00:21:58,040 Speaker 2: Day after Myda, we had a few days. 323 00:21:57,840 --> 00:22:00,240 Speaker 1: In Moscow before we had to travel for the first 324 00:22:00,280 --> 00:22:03,920 Speaker 1: game against Denmark. I had an extra special surprise for 325 00:22:04,040 --> 00:22:04,440 Speaker 1: my dad. 326 00:22:04,720 --> 00:22:09,320 Speaker 2: It took him to me a Peruvian soccer. 327 00:22:09,119 --> 00:22:22,640 Speaker 1: Legends Peruvian players. He was part of the seventies dream TEAMNDO, 328 00:22:22,960 --> 00:22:25,320 Speaker 1: you know, the team that took PRU to three World 329 00:22:25,400 --> 00:22:27,960 Speaker 1: Cups and someone my dad admires when it comes to 330 00:22:28,000 --> 00:22:28,840 Speaker 1: Peruvian soccer. 331 00:22:29,200 --> 00:22:32,560 Speaker 2: Theo is still one of Peru's leading scorers. We met 332 00:22:32,640 --> 00:22:33,840 Speaker 2: him at a hotel in Moscow. 333 00:22:34,080 --> 00:22:36,800 Speaker 1: He was there with Telemundo deportees as an analyst for 334 00:22:36,880 --> 00:22:46,440 Speaker 1: the matches. An said that he hoped before he left 335 00:22:46,440 --> 00:22:48,840 Speaker 1: this world he would be able to see the Peruvian 336 00:22:48,920 --> 00:22:51,760 Speaker 1: national team play in a World Cup again, and he 337 00:22:51,840 --> 00:22:59,520 Speaker 1: finally got that opportunity. As for my dad, he had 338 00:22:59,560 --> 00:23:01,760 Speaker 1: the chance to tell one of the players how happy 339 00:23:01,800 --> 00:23:03,480 Speaker 1: the team made him back when he was living in 340 00:23:03,520 --> 00:23:06,480 Speaker 1: Peru in the seventies. He kept a cool kind of 341 00:23:06,880 --> 00:23:09,159 Speaker 1: He asked for an autograph before we left. 342 00:23:09,480 --> 00:23:15,400 Speaker 5: Yes, felie. 343 00:23:18,600 --> 00:23:22,520 Speaker 1: No no no, And now I feel even happier because 344 00:23:22,520 --> 00:23:23,680 Speaker 1: I've met you personally. 345 00:23:23,880 --> 00:23:25,119 Speaker 2: My dad tells THEO. 346 00:23:26,160 --> 00:23:30,359 Speaker 1: No. On the contrary, says the watching them talk, I 347 00:23:30,359 --> 00:23:32,199 Speaker 1: felt like I was living a little piece of the 348 00:23:32,200 --> 00:23:33,840 Speaker 1: Golden Era in real time. 349 00:23:38,920 --> 00:23:40,800 Speaker 2: Anyway, it's time for the games. 350 00:23:44,080 --> 00:23:46,639 Speaker 1: Peru's first game against Denmark was taking place in a 351 00:23:46,680 --> 00:23:50,600 Speaker 1: city called Sarans. 352 00:23:50,800 --> 00:23:52,120 Speaker 2: The first game was crucial. 353 00:23:52,880 --> 00:23:56,400 Speaker 1: If Peru beat Denmark, we could possibly advance the next round. 354 00:24:01,040 --> 00:24:03,240 Speaker 1: And late in the first half we had a clear 355 00:24:03,320 --> 00:24:06,280 Speaker 1: chance of scoring our first World Cup goal in almost 356 00:24:06,440 --> 00:24:10,439 Speaker 1: four decades. The referee called the penalty in Peru's favor, 357 00:24:15,800 --> 00:24:26,560 Speaker 1: stepped up to the ball, kicked and completely missed. The 358 00:24:26,600 --> 00:24:30,919 Speaker 1: ball flew over the post and into the crowd. They 359 00:24:31,040 --> 00:24:35,280 Speaker 1: ended up losing the Denmark zero two one. The next 360 00:24:35,280 --> 00:24:39,080 Speaker 1: game was played in Ekaterinberg. Peru was facing France. This time, 361 00:24:43,920 --> 00:24:46,159 Speaker 1: my dad and I met up with Peru fans and 362 00:24:46,280 --> 00:24:49,440 Speaker 1: walked and sang together as a unit to the stadium. 363 00:24:49,840 --> 00:24:53,280 Speaker 1: France was going to be Peru's toughest opponent yet in 364 00:24:53,359 --> 00:24:55,840 Speaker 1: this group stage. 365 00:24:57,560 --> 00:25:00,320 Speaker 2: It was getting close to kickoff time. I asked Dad 366 00:25:00,320 --> 00:25:01,040 Speaker 2: how he was feeling. 367 00:25:09,000 --> 00:25:11,400 Speaker 1: He said, it's like he's forgotten his age, that he's 368 00:25:11,440 --> 00:25:13,639 Speaker 1: having fun and then no one can take away the 369 00:25:13,680 --> 00:25:24,880 Speaker 1: happiness he's feeling. Being here, surrounded by Peru fans makes 370 00:25:24,920 --> 00:25:28,200 Speaker 1: my dad feel at home. At this point, my dad 371 00:25:28,240 --> 00:25:32,200 Speaker 1: spent more than half of his life outside of Peru. 372 00:25:33,800 --> 00:25:36,480 Speaker 1: He'll never forget Peru, and that is blood is Peruvian. 373 00:25:37,000 --> 00:25:37,399 Speaker 2: Trust me. 374 00:25:37,520 --> 00:25:40,320 Speaker 1: It sounds poetic and Spanish. He says, a part of 375 00:25:40,400 --> 00:25:48,760 Speaker 1: him will always belong there. It's hard to explain, but 376 00:25:48,880 --> 00:25:51,240 Speaker 1: it's always felt like a part of me has always 377 00:25:51,280 --> 00:25:54,600 Speaker 1: belonged in Peru too, even though I wasn't born there. 378 00:25:59,000 --> 00:26:08,640 Speaker 2: But I don't can give you thing, KM. What I'm 379 00:26:08,680 --> 00:26:11,320 Speaker 2: saying to my dad is that I also feel this 380 00:26:11,440 --> 00:26:14,800 Speaker 2: passion and pride for a country I've never even lived 381 00:26:14,800 --> 00:26:17,679 Speaker 2: in I feel it because you and Mom gave me 382 00:26:17,720 --> 00:26:22,120 Speaker 2: that pride. My love for Peru is also my love 383 00:26:22,160 --> 00:26:27,280 Speaker 2: for my parents. When the anthem started, I was ready 384 00:26:27,280 --> 00:26:39,960 Speaker 2: to sing. I wanted this moment to be special. I 385 00:26:40,000 --> 00:26:42,399 Speaker 2: looked to my right and my dad was singing his 386 00:26:42,520 --> 00:26:56,840 Speaker 2: heart out. The ref blew the whistle and the game began. 387 00:26:57,880 --> 00:27:01,520 Speaker 1: The Proven squad held their ground, but Franz was able 388 00:27:01,560 --> 00:27:05,680 Speaker 1: to score a goal in the thirty fourth minute and 389 00:27:05,840 --> 00:27:15,720 Speaker 1: Crew lost one zero, and just like that, we were 390 00:27:15,720 --> 00:27:18,840 Speaker 1: officially out of the World Cup. There was no way 391 00:27:18,880 --> 00:27:28,520 Speaker 1: to advance the next round. The next day, I took 392 00:27:28,560 --> 00:27:31,240 Speaker 1: up my recorder and talked about how I felt. 393 00:27:32,480 --> 00:27:33,359 Speaker 2: When the game ended. 394 00:27:33,520 --> 00:27:36,840 Speaker 1: I left the stadium, you know, and I held my 395 00:27:36,920 --> 00:27:37,800 Speaker 1: dad's arm and. 396 00:27:38,440 --> 00:27:42,760 Speaker 2: I started crying. Tears were rolling down my cheeks, you know. 397 00:27:42,800 --> 00:27:45,639 Speaker 1: And I told my dad, let's just go somewhere to 398 00:27:45,680 --> 00:27:46,600 Speaker 1: watch the next game. 399 00:27:47,280 --> 00:27:49,040 Speaker 2: And he looked at me and he was. 400 00:27:49,000 --> 00:27:51,879 Speaker 1: Just like, you know, this is your first World Cup, 401 00:27:52,520 --> 00:27:56,280 Speaker 1: so I understand that you're sad and that it hurts, 402 00:27:57,320 --> 00:27:59,960 Speaker 1: but do you have so many more to live through? 403 00:28:06,080 --> 00:28:08,560 Speaker 1: And he's right, maybe we'll have another chance to see 404 00:28:08,560 --> 00:28:09,640 Speaker 1: Peru play at a World Cup. 405 00:28:10,119 --> 00:28:12,679 Speaker 2: Maybe not whether we win or lose. 406 00:28:13,080 --> 00:28:15,040 Speaker 1: I know I can always go back to my own 407 00:28:15,040 --> 00:28:18,000 Speaker 1: little Peru, in my parents' home in La to cry 408 00:28:18,160 --> 00:28:20,959 Speaker 1: and chair for a team that has unified my family 409 00:28:21,000 --> 00:28:27,119 Speaker 1: for so many generations, regardless of where we live. Huandespir 410 00:28:28,640 --> 00:28:32,200 Speaker 1: mis Casio. 411 00:28:34,080 --> 00:28:35,720 Speaker 2: Kotio Peru. 412 00:28:38,440 --> 00:28:41,600 Speaker 3: Our thanks to Jennie Yamoca for that story, but who 413 00:28:41,720 --> 00:28:45,040 Speaker 3: did not advance past the group stage, but in the 414 00:28:45,120 --> 00:28:48,600 Speaker 3: team's third and final World Cup game, they scored two 415 00:28:48,640 --> 00:28:52,280 Speaker 3: goals against Australia and secured their first World Cup win 416 00:28:52,760 --> 00:28:56,680 Speaker 3: since nineteen seventy eight. Janis, of course, watched that game 417 00:28:56,720 --> 00:29:01,120 Speaker 3: from our office in Harlem, wearing her Bidduo Jersey. 418 00:29:00,680 --> 00:29:13,200 Speaker 5: Contig Sony colonists his time somebody's county soos lou si, 419 00:29:15,160 --> 00:29:23,520 Speaker 5: Yes it was county who nei la costa last lacier 420 00:29:24,160 --> 00:29:28,479 Speaker 5: la lasier roy la coti. 421 00:29:34,200 --> 00:29:36,880 Speaker 2: Neither thefore refore. 422 00:29:39,400 --> 00:29:53,200 Speaker 3: Sant jealously. This episode originally aired in July of twenty eighteen. 423 00:29:53,400 --> 00:29:56,680 Speaker 3: It was reported by Janet Morgam and edited by Marlon Bishop. 424 00:29:57,040 --> 00:30:01,000 Speaker 3: The Latino USA team includes Miel Massias, Sofia, Palissa, Ca, 425 00:30:01,480 --> 00:30:06,280 Speaker 3: Luis Trees, Antonia Serejidro, Alissa Scarce and Alejandra Salasad, with 426 00:30:06,440 --> 00:30:09,760 Speaker 3: help from Joanna Luna and Raoul Berees. Our engineers are 427 00:30:09,920 --> 00:30:13,520 Speaker 3: Stephanie Lebou and Julia Caruso. Additional engineering this week by 428 00:30:13,600 --> 00:30:17,240 Speaker 3: Lia Shaw. Our director of programming and Operations is Natalia 429 00:30:17,280 --> 00:30:21,160 Speaker 3: fide Joz. Our digital editor Isamandel Candra. Our intern is 430 00:30:21,240 --> 00:30:24,720 Speaker 3: Juja Rocha. Our theme music was composed by Sanjarro Renos. 431 00:30:25,000 --> 00:30:27,200 Speaker 3: If you like the music you heard on this episode, 432 00:30:27,480 --> 00:30:30,280 Speaker 3: stop by latlu Usa dot org and check out our 433 00:30:30,320 --> 00:30:34,479 Speaker 3: weekly Spotify playlist. I'm your host and executive producer Marie J. Josa. 434 00:30:34,800 --> 00:30:37,000 Speaker 3: Join us again next time, and in the meantime, look 435 00:30:37,080 --> 00:30:39,320 Speaker 3: for us on all of our social media. I'll see 436 00:30:39,320 --> 00:30:41,320 Speaker 3: you there. Asta la proxima Jao. 437 00:30:45,120 --> 00:30:48,120 Speaker 4: Funding for Latino USA is coverage of a culture of 438 00:30:48,200 --> 00:30:50,800 Speaker 4: Health is made possible in part by a grant from 439 00:30:50,800 --> 00:30:55,360 Speaker 4: the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Latino USA is made possible 440 00:30:55,440 --> 00:31:01,120 Speaker 4: in part by the Heising Simons Foundation. Unlocking Knowledge, opportunity 441 00:31:01,400 --> 00:31:07,240 Speaker 4: and possibilities More at hsfoundation dot org and the wind 442 00:31:07,280 --> 00:31:08,000 Speaker 4: Coat Foundation. 443 00:31:11,960 --> 00:31:14,320 Speaker 2: Oh Genesis in the office. Oh they're talking about Peru. Oh, 444 00:31:14,360 --> 00:31:15,840 Speaker 2: something's happening. With peru Okay