by sportswriters Cao Jianjie and Zhao Yan
NEW YORK, July 2 (Xinhua) -- Cabo Verde has already achieved more than almost anyone expected at this World Cup, reaching the round of 32 unbeaten to set up a meeting with Lionel Messi and defending champion Argentina in Miami.
The gap between the two teams could hardly be wider. Three-time champion Argentina is the world's second-ranked side, led by an eight-time Ballon d'Or winner chasing his 20th World Cup goal.
Cabo Verde is making its World Cup debut and, with a population of just over 500,000 people and a land area of about 4,000 square kilometers, is the smallest nation ever to reach the tournament's knockout stage.
Ranked 64th in the world by FIFA, Cabo Verde's progress has been built on discipline, a clear sense of identity and self-belief.
That confidence extends well beyond the dressing room. President Jose Maria Neves has predicted a 1-0 victory, while head coach Bubista insists "nothing is impossible". Midfielder Deroy Duarte this week described facing Argentina as "a dream", but quickly added: "Let's believe."
If Cabo Verde is to prolong that dream, much will depend on goalkeeper Vozinha. The 40-year-old, whose real name is Josimar Dias, was one of the stars of the goalless draw with Spain and has become the symbol of a team that has frustrated every opponent it has faced in North America.
Now he is focused on trying to keep Messi, who has scored six goals in this World Cup and 19 overall, off the scoresheet.
That task will also fall to defenders such as Roberto "Pico" Lopes, whose mother, Judy, believes her son will revel in the chance to face one of the greatest players the game has seen.
"I don't think it'll faze him at all," she said. "I think he'll relish the challenge and hopefully come out on top."
Lopes' journey to this stage reflects that of the team itself. Born in Dublin and eligible to represent Ireland, he chose Cabo Verde through his family roots and is now preparing for the biggest match in the country's football history.
The Lopes family has embraced the occasion as enthusiastically as the player himself. Judy said Friday's match would be emotional for relatives watching from Ireland and Cabo Verde, but insisted there was no reason for her son to feel overawed by the challenge. "It's 11 against 11," she said.
Argentina, meanwhile, has been careful not to dismiss its opponent. Lionel Scaloni has pointed out that Spain, Uruguay and Saudi Arabia all failed to beat Cabo Verde in the group stage, while Nicolas Otamendi has warned that the Albiceleste must approach the match with the same intensity as every other World Cup fixture.
The expectation remains that Argentina will advance, and few would bet against a team chasing a second consecutive World Cup title with Messi leading the way.
But Vozinha, Lopes and company have heard those predictions before, and they mattered little during the group stage. Cabo Verde now has another chance to show that, at this World Cup, dreams can come true. ■
