The FIFA World Cup 2010 finals in South Africa was a grand event. It delivered less than what it promised but the Football on display was exceptional nonetheless. There were teams that played well, those that didn't and many that gave an expected account of themselves. Here are some of my thoughts.
Some of the expected
England- I am not one bit surprised by their round-of-16 exit. They were lucky to be in the round of 16 and progressing any further would have been a shocker in all senses. I mean the whole team couldn’t string together 3 passes in the whole tournament (err..whatever of it they were a part of) for crying out loud. The only people who expected more from this bunch was few English people who bought what the media said about the ‘Golden’ generation of English football. Each and every team in their group (Algeria, USA, Slovakia) let alone the WC finals was technically far superior than the English. It seems the so called 'stars of Premiership' shine only in the presence of the other hard working, technically gifted club players.
Some of the expected
England- I am not one bit surprised by their round-of-16 exit. They were lucky to be in the round of 16 and progressing any further would have been a shocker in all senses. I mean the whole team couldn’t string together 3 passes in the whole tournament (err..whatever of it they were a part of) for crying out loud. The only people who expected more from this bunch was few English people who bought what the media said about the ‘Golden’ generation of English football. Each and every team in their group (Algeria, USA, Slovakia) let alone the WC finals was technically far superior than the English. It seems the so called 'stars of Premiership' shine only in the presence of the other hard working, technically gifted club players.
Argentia- Under Maradona they were overhyped as a team. Yes, they have some good attacking players AND Messi but to go further than they did they needed a tight backline which they lacked. Some individuals stood out.
Germany- If there is a team to watch in the future this is the one. BUT that is only if they believe in themselves unlike in the match against the Spanish where they sat back and wanted to catch the Spanish on counter. It’s best to play to ones own strengths rather than to nullify the opponent’s strengths.
Dutch- Have always underachieved. Guess that is the reason why they wanted to do anything to achieve this time around. Even if that meant displaying Kung-Fu on the pitch. They were one of the most physical teams in this tournament but that should not take away from them the quality they showed throughout the tournament. I think they are being given a hard deal by the media. If kicking the opponent is cheating then so is diving.
Some unexpected
Italy – I thought Zizou gifted them the 2006 WC in the form of that (in)famous head-butt. Or maybe I am being too harsh..Either way, at hind sight, i think they went as far as they deserved to.
France – I thought all I would say is Raymond Domenech but in all honesty all I will say is Patrice Evra!! That should sum up France’s dismal trip to SA. Lead by example has a new meaning now.
Uruguay – Led by their talismanic striker Diego Forlan had a run to remember in the WC. They were WC winners the earlier days of the tournament 1930 and 1950 when not many European teams took part in the competition. This run, though not a winning one, will be up there with the earlier glory moments.
Ghana- If any African nation (or any underdog for that matter) deserved to reach the quarters it was Ghana. They were a team that played attacking Football with the flair like any South American country. They surely have a bright future.
Refereeing- Couldn’t have been more controversial (and poorer) given the tournament of this magnitude. It was inconsistent, unpunishing-to-diving-and-play-acting, unbelievably rubbish at times...so much so that it stirred up controversies around what could have been had the ones with the whistles been better at their jobs - England, Mexico might have more to add to this.
Media- They are a joke and will always be. They started drooling all over for Spain even before a ball was kicked and it showed throughout the tournament. Now, I am not for a minute saying that Spain didn’t deserve to win. They played, by far, the best Football but they also dived the most, play-acted the most, tried-to-influence the referee the most which the inept media chose to ignore. The Spanish are as much cheats as the Portuguese or the Italians. The same media which lauds the physical side of the game of most English clubs (Bolton, Stoke, Blackburn et. al.) labeled the Dutch as Thugs after the final. Huh!
FIFA- If there is a job in the world which has no performance evaluation system in place then here is where it is. I really do not understand what they do and get paid for. In this day and age for some reasons they refuse to use technology. I understand that technology will take away some of the human element from refereeing and will also bring in halts into the games but SOME technology at least…Goal Line Technology for crying out loud!!?!!
Germany- If there is a team to watch in the future this is the one. BUT that is only if they believe in themselves unlike in the match against the Spanish where they sat back and wanted to catch the Spanish on counter. It’s best to play to ones own strengths rather than to nullify the opponent’s strengths.
Dutch- Have always underachieved. Guess that is the reason why they wanted to do anything to achieve this time around. Even if that meant displaying Kung-Fu on the pitch. They were one of the most physical teams in this tournament but that should not take away from them the quality they showed throughout the tournament. I think they are being given a hard deal by the media. If kicking the opponent is cheating then so is diving.
Some unexpected
Italy – I thought Zizou gifted them the 2006 WC in the form of that (in)famous head-butt. Or maybe I am being too harsh..Either way, at hind sight, i think they went as far as they deserved to.
France – I thought all I would say is Raymond Domenech but in all honesty all I will say is Patrice Evra!! That should sum up France’s dismal trip to SA. Lead by example has a new meaning now.
Uruguay – Led by their talismanic striker Diego Forlan had a run to remember in the WC. They were WC winners the earlier days of the tournament 1930 and 1950 when not many European teams took part in the competition. This run, though not a winning one, will be up there with the earlier glory moments.
Ghana- If any African nation (or any underdog for that matter) deserved to reach the quarters it was Ghana. They were a team that played attacking Football with the flair like any South American country. They surely have a bright future.
Refereeing- Couldn’t have been more controversial (and poorer) given the tournament of this magnitude. It was inconsistent, unpunishing-to-diving-and-play-acting, unbelievably rubbish at times...so much so that it stirred up controversies around what could have been had the ones with the whistles been better at their jobs - England, Mexico might have more to add to this.
Media- They are a joke and will always be. They started drooling all over for Spain even before a ball was kicked and it showed throughout the tournament. Now, I am not for a minute saying that Spain didn’t deserve to win. They played, by far, the best Football but they also dived the most, play-acted the most, tried-to-influence the referee the most which the inept media chose to ignore. The Spanish are as much cheats as the Portuguese or the Italians. The same media which lauds the physical side of the game of most English clubs (Bolton, Stoke, Blackburn et. al.) labeled the Dutch as Thugs after the final. Huh!
FIFA- If there is a job in the world which has no performance evaluation system in place then here is where it is. I really do not understand what they do and get paid for. In this day and age for some reasons they refuse to use technology. I understand that technology will take away some of the human element from refereeing and will also bring in halts into the games but SOME technology at least…Goal Line Technology for crying out loud!!?!!
