LIMA, Nov 13 (Reuters)
- Eager to qualify for the 2006 World Cup, Peruvian and Brazilian fans called on
shamans and wizards on Thursday to endow their national teams with victorious
powers before Sunday's clash in the Peruvian capital.
Dressed in
brightly coloured ponchos, Peruvian shamans covered photos of Peru's captain
Claudio Pizarro and flamboyant striker Andres Mendoza with magical 'Huaringa'
plants to bring good luck.
Brazilian
wizards fought back with 'Macumba' mystical wax dolls, while pouring beer on the
photos of the Peruvian strikers, aiming to weaken the Peruvians and make them
feel drunk on the pitch.
"We are dancing
out the 'Hatun Peru' ritual to give Peru a chance and hold back Brazil's
footballing powers," shaman Juan Osco told Reuters outside Lima's Monumental
Stadium, where the match will be held.
Peru are
desperate to put past failures behind them and qualify for their first World Cup
finals since 1982. After a strong start in the qualifiers, beating Paraguay 4-1,
Peru lost 2-1 to Chile in Santiago in September.
Now the Andean
nation faces the five-time World Cup winners and current holders who are without
injured defender Roberto Carlos and forward Ronaldinho.
"Brazil will
defeat Peru 2-0," said Brazilian wizard Santino Kristal, showering yellow
flowers and holy water on the photos of the Brazilian team. "There is no doubt
about it," he added.
Peru, coached
by Brazilian Paulo Autuori, have never beaten Brazil in a World Cup qualifier,
while the Brazilians have six points from their opening two games and are the
only country ever to have played at all 17 World Cups.
By Teresa
Cespedes