Almost lost was a chance to play in the 2006 World Cup.
Every player looks ahead because playing in the World Cup is the high point of a career.
Playing in the World Cup seems almost like a dream, he said.
He is, however, expected to play in the World Cup.
Nor, he later realized, was a chance to play in the 1998 World Cup.
The team may be one the youngest ever to play in the World Cup, with an average age of 23.
He played two matches for the national team in the 1938 World Cup.
He also played in the 1954 World Cup (fourth place).
Compared with that, playing in the World Cup is a reward.
"Getting a chance to play in the World Cup was like winning the lottery."