FIFA World Cup 2022™ – News – Feltscher: I get goosebumps imagining Venezuela in Qatar

• Rolf Feltscher insists that, regardless of a sluggish begin, Venezuela can attain Qatar 2022
• The correct-back assesses upcoming opponents Brazil and Chile
• He additionally discusses Zlatan, Michael Jackson and MMA

With their first two fixtures towards Colombia away and Paraguay at house, Venezuela followers knew they had been in for a tricky begin to FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ qualifying. For all that, La Vinotinto wouldn’t have been anticipating to lose each matches.

“Folks could also be discouraged however it is a very lengthy course of and now we have extra alternatives to accrue factors developing,” Venezuela defender Rolf Feltscher instructed FIFA.com. “We’re united, mentally sturdy, and the morale is nice.”

The LA Galaxy right-back got here off the bench in his aspect’s opening fixture and began their second.

“In opposition to Colombia we had been too open and allowed them to hit us on the break,” mentioned the 30-year-old. “We remedied that towards Paraguay, however we didn’t use the ball nicely sufficient. The nice factor is that there is loads of room to enhance.

“The Paraguay sport turned a bit scrappy, though we might have drawn and even gained it. We had a objective disallowed, incorrectly to my thoughts, and a penalty saved. If we’d taken one or all three factors, the outlook at present could be totally different.”

Requested how he had been dealing with the criticism, Feltscher responded: “I protect myself and do self-assessment and -criticism, however I am not shocked. If you lose, every part is fallacious, and if you win, every part is rosy.

“You’ll be able to play badly and provides your opponents 50 probabilities, however in the event you get the one objective of the sport, then individuals are completely satisfied. If you happen to’re the higher workforce however nonetheless lose, they get indignant. Nevertheless it’s at all times been like that.”

The defender is talking from expertise on condition that that is his third World Cup qualifying competitors since Cesar Farias got here calling in 2011. The truth is, he made his Vinotinto debut in November of that 12 months towards Bolivia throughout the Brazil 2014 qualifiers. Later, beneath Rafael Dudamel, he performed nearly the entire second half of the Russia 2018 preliminaries.

The participant’s backstory can also be value telling. Rolf was born in Switzerland to a Swiss father and a Venezuelan mom. After they separated, he and his brother Frank, who can also be an expert footballer, moved with their mom to Venezuela in 1997. The 2 siblings returned to the Previous Continent in 2000 to review and play soccer, albeit with a robust attachment to Venezuela.

Rolf debuted for Grasshoppers on the age of 16 and represented Switzerland on the UEFA U-17 Championship in 2007 and the U-20 one in 2008. Nonetheless, it was whereas he was on the books of Parma that the supply got here to play for the Venezuela senior workforce, and he accepted.

“Folks have mentioned issues about my twin nationality, however in the long run, it depends upon how you are feeling,” mentioned Feltscher, who has by no means performed membership soccer in Venezuela. “I used to be born in Switzerland and grew up there, and I like the nation. Why ought to I lie about that?

“Simply as I like Venezuela: the nation, the meals, the tradition, and I’ve household there. What counts is that you just give your all within the second.”

Nor does he remorse his resolution. “Would I’ve performed at a World Cup if I’d continued to characterize Switzerland? Possibly. However I’ve by no means had issues straightforward and imagining myself serving to Venezuela qualify for his or her first World Cup offers me goosebumps. I could not put a value on that. It will be the final word.”

Getting factors on the board

Up subsequent for Venezuela is a visit to Brazil then a house tie towards Chile.

“With Brazil you have to be at your best to get a great outcome,” Feltscher mentioned. “No workforce can have an off day towards them and hope to win. And that’s nonetheless the case even when there aren’t any followers.”

Requested if he’s been learning the Brazilian strikers he could possibly be dealing with, he responds with typical good humour. “As a full-back, I at all times should take care of the most effective. Whether or not its forwards or midfielders, you at all times face probably the most technical gamers, the quickest, the most effective in each class, so it is nothing new. Furthermore, going up towards good gamers actually motivates me.”

Chile he sees as extra negotiable: “There was a time when Venezuela felt inferior to different groups, however not anymore. Participant for participant, we’re all in good groups. In the long run, they’re simply 11 folks out on a pitch, the identical as us.”

Feltscher is prepared to deal with each his personal expectations and people of others.

“I perceive expectations are excessive, however I do know what we will obtain as a workforce with the gamers now we have obtainable,” he mentioned. “We have now younger gamers bursting with expertise and potential. Little question about it, we will be in Qatar.”

Feltscher and…

• His profession. In addition to Switzerland and Italy, he’s performed in Germany and Spain. “It will be good to take action in England, however I am positive in Los Angeles. MLS is aggressive and groups are getting stronger on a regular basis. Gamers coming right here will not have it straightforward.”
• His tattoos. “Crucial ones relate to my daughter. I’ve one in all her fingers tattooed in addition to her face and a kiss.”
• His admiration for Michael Jackson. “As an artist, he was distinctive, and all his songs are fantastic. As a child, he was all I listened to. I even bought a tattoo of his dance transfer.”
• His spell taking part in with Ibrahimovic. “I gave him some assists. He has a fantastic persona that’s very distinctive, which I loved. If you perceive him, you possibly can study rather a lot.”
• His future in singing: As a passion. I sing in all places and I might have a profession writing my very own songs. As a substitute of taking part in in entrance of 80,000 soccer followers, I might sing R&B in entrance of 80,000 concert-goers. (laughs)
• His future in blended martial arts: “I find it irresistible, similar to boxing, however my spouse would not need me to do it. She says I am too fairly to have my face rearranged! (extra laughter).