[I am really p off by you MS members. Halfway into the Indian Cricket team’s tour of the West Indies, and there was not a single review about it. I had to write about the famous victory in Port of Spain (or is it Port of Gain for India?)
Now we are almost towards the end of WORLD CUP FOOTBALL, I repeat, WORLD CUP FOOTBALL and there is only one review on World Cup or football for the last two months (unless some smartass has posted it in a wrong topic). I logged in today to read and enjoy the reviews on World Cup and was aghast to see the pitiable situation. And I intend to change it. Moreover, we Keralites are passionate about our balls (I mean football)]
Cest la vie. That’s the hard lesson the French learnt when they suffered their biggest humiliation in years. Les Blues, their most cherished team, the favourites to win the WC being played out in Japan and South Korea, had crashed out in the first round itself. Worse, they had exited without scoring a single goal. What a shame! Mon dieu!
In the 78-year history of the World Cup, this was surely the worst ever performance by a defending champion. Agreed, Brazil had crashed out in the early stages in 1966 and Italy in 1950, but at least they had a few goals to their credit.
In fact, when an unfit Zinedine Zidane came out to play against Denmark, for many it was deja vu – the most stark image of 1966, after all, was an injured Pele, the best player in the world then, being carried off the field in Brazil’s disastrous bid to defend the Cup. This time around, the world’s best player (at least in French eyes) - Zizou’s - lack of fitness had ruined the Cup chances of France, struggling to recreate the magic of their 1998 win and the Euro 2000.
Was it the heat, the unfamiliar Asian playground or the age factor? This World Cup has certainly upset the applecart of many favourites. Close on the heels of France, strong contenders Argentina, too, bowed out. For fans back home, facing a turbulent economic crisis, the defeat must be as hard to bear, as for the French who are just recovering from the political trauma of having to choose between Le Pen’s fiery brand of nationalism versus Jacques Chirac’s conservatism.
Even as the Gallic and Latin style of play floundered, the Asian tigers unexpectedly scored with their neat little footwork and the flamboyant African Lions roared. Senegal, Japan (till they lasted), South Korea - they have all had great outings so far. The world equations certainly appear to be changing - at least on this playfield.
The European stranglehold on football seems to be fast evaporating. Holland, who made it to the last four, last time round and who play football as flamboyant as Brazil does, could not even qualify. Croatia, who had a dream outing in the last World Cup could not qualify to the second round. Italy struggled to score goals and choked out of the tournament. Spain is the latest casualty when the home team, South Korea, drowned them today. As for England’s chances, the frenzy at the putting stalls - after France’s shock exit, bookies have reported the maximum surge around the Union Jack counters - melted to ground zero when they were pitted against the formidable Brazilians.
Meanwhile, perennial favourites Brazil strengthened their Cup chances with the four Rs - Ronaldo, Rivaldo, Ronaldinho and Roberto Carlos - coming good. Other American teams like Paraguay and Uruguay, too did considerably well except for Mexico whom all expected to make it atleast to the last eight. And USA went to the extent of threatening to knock out Germany when they put up the most spirited performance yesterday.
Who will win? That’s utterly unpredictable. There are many in Kerala as per a recent survey who predict Senegal. I am sure half of them had not heard about a country called Senegal before the World Cup. But then, that’s the way it should be. Let’s sit back and watch the fun.