Once in a while

The World Cup 2006

The biggest fever to grip the earth, I guess. Honestly, sports has become the only true religion of the world. And in this past month it is football that has ruled the hearts ofthe world. It is not often that one tournamnet captivates the imagination of the whole world. This World Cup has been truly, the biggest sporting spectacle ever. Why do I say it with so much confidence? People who havent followed football at all in their lives were talking about it, had a team which they wanted to win the world cup and were disappointed when their team got knocked out.

For me, football has never been a must see. It has always been F1 or cricket. Tennis being third and then football. But, this world cup, I have watched each and every match and have formed strong opinions. And since I cant go on TV and make my views heard like some commentators, though they arent that good ( Eg- Noel, the Goan guy on ESPN ), I am trying the next best thing.

Since there is lot of EPL on ESPN, I have from time to time seen most of the English team play. No wonder I wanted England to win. With people like Rooney, Gerrard, and Lampard, it is not an outrageous choice. But there is one fact that killed the team, Sven Goran Ericson. I dont know how he can call himself the manager of a team. He selected Theo Walcott and didnt even make him play. I guess he found out in the training camp or something that he wasnt good enough to play in WC yet, and was just too hard headed to admit he made a mistake. He first tried to play with Crouch at the head of the field. I am not really a fan of Crouch. He is more of "head-ball" player. But, whatever, he was scoring, and had an obvious advantage. Then suddenly genius-Sven decides he has had enough of Crouch and plays Rooney alone upfront. I mean, isnt it obvious that Rooney is ineffective alone up-front. He is not the tallest person in the world. If Crouch was there up-front to support him and head the ball onto his feet, he would have been lethal. But Sven obviously doesnt understand this. Owen's injury was a huge setback, but a good manager must be able to over-come this. He never really got England together as a team, which was his main job. I am happy he is leaving, he must quit football altogether. After England's exit he said two things, which showed his true level:-
1)"This England team desrve to be in the semi-finals". Of course they do. They didnt make it because of you.
2)"We practice penalties, I dont know what else to do". Try not taking the match to penalties, and try winning it in ninety minutes if you can.

Though England, didnt play well enough to reach the semis, Portugal surely didnt deserve to be there. With all their play-acting and questionable style of playing, there is no way I would have been proud of the Portugese team reaching the semis if I were Protugese. It was a disgrace. Ronaldo, for all his talent(if any), is the worst of the lot. I hated him at ManU, and happy to see that he is leaving ManU. Good Riddance!!!!! He cant find the back of the net, and thinks he is the best player in the world with all his tricks. All he amounts to in the end is a circus monkey which knows an equal number of tricks. How I wish he had missed the penalty against England.
Portugese as a team never really had the striking force to score a goal. After the group stages, they didnt score goals at all, and never really looked like they would. Surely, England were better!!

The biggest disappointment in this World Cup has to be Argentina. With a quality team and brilliant playmakers and strikers, they were knocked out by an attacking Germany on penalties. Yens Lehmann put them out, and so it took the second best gal keeper in the tournament to knock them out. I think the coach made a couple of mistakes in that match, substituting Crespo and not bringing on Messi. But, he was hampered by having to substitute his goalie. Maybe Messi would have been his next substitute. Still, I think after the group stages Argentina were favourites to win.

Germany, on the other hand were the most attacking team of the tournament. One of the few teams to have two fowards. It helps to have a forward as the manager. After knocking out Argentina, they came up against rock solid Italy, who were peaking at the right time. It is sad that they were on that side of the draw. If they were England's place, maybe we would have had a better World Cup. They have a good team for the future and I think will be a force in the Euro. In addition they have the player with the best name in the tournament, Schweinsteiger!!! ( Can I change my name to that!!! )

Brazil, were the dissappointment of the tournament and Ronaldinho ( which is not his real name :P ) in particular. I have never seen Ronaldinho play in full flow. He didnt play too well in the Champions League finals, and didnt really play in this World Cup. After a good start, they just tapered off, again playing with only one foward for some reason. I dont think Brazil's defense has ever been that strong. I think they always play with their attack as their strongest defense, relying on their attack to score more goals than the opposition. Sadly, that didnt happen. Zizou inspired France really held them well, and Old man Roberto Carlos, who I dont think still knows his role in the team, let Heny score. France were surely better tactically, and Brazil paid the prize for being over-confident.

France, on the other hand have had a good tournament. With a horrible start, it was Ribery and Viera who really turned around the French team.It was later than Zidane came in and showed us all what he is made off. All the Brazilian players for all their skill, were made to kiss the feet of the Great Zidane. He, like all good players turned it on when it really mattered, and carried France thourgh to the finals, helped by the support cast of Henry, Viera and Ribery. After the oust of England, I started supporting France, for it is only fitting for Zidane to go out on a high. Few have had a career as brilliant as his. Alas, it was not to be. One moment of madness saw him wake up from his dream midway. I dont think the outcome of the match changed too much because of it. I think Trezegeut, who has had the worst world cup possible, would have missed anyway. But it is sad that such a great player, who will be remembered for his great skill and talent, will also be remembered for his moment of madness. I agree with the ESPN commentator, Gerry said. Great players are great because they can play at their very limits. Zidane was playing at his limit and the nipple-tweaking by Matteratzi just pushed him over the edge. He literally, lost his head. Matteratzi, made full use of the oppurtunity by acting like he has been mortally assualted. Zidane did deserve a Red Cars. The touching thing is that Buffon was consoling Zidane after the incident. Shows what sports should be truly about. Still, ALL HAIL ZIZOU!!! ( He also won the Golden Ball!!! )
There was one more reason why France lost. Marcello Lippi was much smarter than Raymond Domenech. Raymond didnt seem to have a definite plan B. In the final he made his usual substitutions without much thought. He brought on Wiltord and Trezeguet. Sadly he had to substitute Viera, who was the cheif reason behind the France turn-around. Henry may have been injured, but Ribery need not have been substituted. He had the pace which may have helped France break through the Italian defnse.

In the end, I think the best team won. Italy gathered momentum slowly and played to their strengths, their defense. Cannavaro has been outstanding through out the tournament. It is not often that the star of the team is a defender. He and Buffon are the true stars of the Italian team. They have played with the right spirit and true sportsmanship. Cannavaro , for the number of tackles he has done, gave away almost no fouls. Mark of a great defender, if you ask me. Their attack can be good if they want it to, as they showed against Germany in extra time. Lippi really played to the teams strength and brought on attackers only in extra-time or close to full time. With such a strong defense, with no goal coming against them apart from a Zidane penalty and an own-goal(how ironic), they were the deserving winners of the World Cup.

After this, tough I am sure I wont follow EPL( just too many matches ) , ill surely try to follow Champions league and am looking forawrd to Euro in two years time.

Before I end, I would like to say , good job ESPN. Harsha Bhogle showed that he is a brilliant sports anchor. Steve, with his highly biased opinion and Gerry, with his beautiful accent and well thought comments really made the experience better. Noel should have not been there, but I guess some poeple are lucky.

Lastly, thanks to IvyCompTech( I hope the spelling is right) for giving an open invitation to all IITians to watch the final match at Taj West End. It was the best way to see the finals.

PS - I think im better than Noel, maybe next time ill try to be there on ESPN and get my views on TV. People who have read this blog can say, I knew he was very good........

posted by Mahesh.R @ 8:13 AM