What is football world cup? For each country in the world, it is a big struggle to reach in the final 32. Then, there are only seven steps to reach in the peak of the world as winners. World Cup of 2010 is half-way through. Defending champions and the runners failed to reach in the pre-quarter and most hyped team lost out in the pre-quarter round. Great, this world cup has all nice ingredients.
Marketing of the world cup was really great. It is first time, Africa become the host for the World cup and it was not South Africa, the host country, the whole Africa was included when one talk about world cup 2010. After 1998 France World Cup, this was the first time, the title song become a big hit globally. Adidas Company, the official manufacturer of –Jabulani, the ball used for this World Cup, opened the Pandora box of controversies. Almost all goal keepers aired their views about the ball and took pre-emptive bail for their blunders.
Just after the Euro 2008, I had a piece in this blog about the failure of Italy and France in the European Championship. I still stick with my argument about both France and Italy and the result proved how much I was correct. Poor Lippi, he got everything he deserved in 2006 edition and still it is an enigma that why he accepted the request of Italian FA to manage the struggling Italian team? Raymond Domenech reaped what he saw. As I said in my old writing, he made all stupid decisions in team selection and forgot the fact that the key player who took his team to the final of 2006 stopped playing for his country.
I feel very bad for Ivory Coast. Second time, they got into the toughest group and knocked out in the first round itself. Nigeria and Cameroon played but failed to convince their performances of earlier days. Especially, Cameroon showed why Roger Milla is still stand tall in their country. They were lacking a player like him. The hosts, South Africa started with all flares but failed to continue. Still they produced some promising displays and offered some young talents for future. Vuvuzelas created a different world inside the stadium and telecasters brought it to our home without losing its spirit.
Now, all hope is in Ghana who reached in the quarter final. Abedi Pele’s country produced a group of young players including his sons to match with Europe and Latin America. They overcome the loss of their most established player Michel Essien and moved towards the World Cup was a team with their ‘one-goal project’. Under the guidance of Milovan Rajevac, the manager of Ghana, fought very hard against Australia and Serbia in the first round to earn precious 4 points. In pre-quarter they defeated USA and going to face Uruguay in the quarter. Let’s hope, Ghana will carry the light of Africa further.
Among the final eight, we have four Latin American teams and three Europeans along with single Ghana from Africa. Argentina, the darling of football lovers is facing Germany in the quarter finals and wonderful Brazil is facing the ‘moving oranges’. European Champion Spain struggled to get pass Portuguese defence and preparing to face Paraguay who defeated Asia’s last hope –Japan in the penalty shootout.
So far, Messi did any goal but he created enough for his team mates. Brazilian strikers are doing well. Germany is doing much better than expected. The young boys of Germany thrashed ever-hyped England and show them the exit door. Holland is far from their normal football. We can’t see the short pass and spinning moves of 1970’s total football. They are playing like Germans of those days. They are very cautious, more defensive (unusual) and very pragmatic. In the quarter finals, they will face Brazil, who has more fire power in all segments. Watch Uruguay –the team which conceded just one goal in all four matches so far. They have proved strikers in Luis Suarez and Diego Forlan and a trust-worthy defence.
Still believe, Argentina is the best among all the last eight. They have everything in all segments and overall they have Messi to open up any strong defence. Only drawback they have is their famous manager Maradona. He is the best footballer but madness of a talented is always a trouble.
