A wait of less than 26 hours from now separates one of the two most valiant, consistent and talented teams from scripting a glorious history. Indeed, a history is what beckons to be made tomorrow at Johannesburg. A journey which started at the same stadium some 30 days ago will reach its climax when the Dutch and Spanish Armada battle it out to claim the most prestigious trophy for the first time.
These 30 days of absorbing football have witnessed 62 matches being played and 30 teams being eliminated from the race of the championship. European Teams have one again demonstrated their dominance in world football after a poor show in league stage, although the teams leading from the front are not the ones who have always done well at the event. Spain has done wonderfully for past 2-3 years and they deserved to be in the final match. I thought they were the underdogs as one expects big teams to put a good show. But I was proved wrong partly due to dismal performances by Brazil, Argentina, England and Italy. Germany also could not produce the great skills in the semifinals against Spain and surrendered meekly in front of Villa & company. Spain’s strength is perhaps their capability to produce a goal from anywhere and impeccable ball passing game. They also have a very good goalkeeper in the form of Casillas who saved for them quite a few goals at critical stages. Should everything go well for them, all Spanish fans and countrymen are likely to savour an unprecedented celebration which will go on for days to come.
Netherlands on the other hand has silently made their way through to the finals. There has not been much hype around their players and their game but they are the only team (obviously with exception of Kiwis who bowed out with three draws in the first round) in this tournament who are yet to be beaten. Though they did not face many challenges except the game against Brazil, they have remained consistent and dexterous throughout. Their semifinal match against the depleted Uruguay turned hugely in their favor with two back to back goals in the second half. Dutch strength lies in individual brilliance of Kuyt, Sneijder and Robben. They complement each other very well and are capable of hurling severe threats to the opposition one after another. If their defense could contain Spanish midfielders for a while, there is every possibility that the trio could chip in with that golden goal. After all, they would not like to squander the opportunity (at any cost) which has come to them after 32 years.
Amidst all this, spare a moment for a lone warrior – Diego Forlan. A great leader, fast mover and immaculate shooter who almost did it for Uruguay in the semis. Having said that, their fate was almost sealed with that “golden red card” which ruled Saurez out of the semifinal match. With no one to rally around him, it was too much to ask from Forlan. Thanks to his excellence that Uruguay made it to top four! Simply outstanding! Take a bow!
These 30 days of absorbing football have witnessed 62 matches being played and 30 teams being eliminated from the race of the championship. European Teams have one again demonstrated their dominance in world football after a poor show in league stage, although the teams leading from the front are not the ones who have always done well at the event. Spain has done wonderfully for past 2-3 years and they deserved to be in the final match. I thought they were the underdogs as one expects big teams to put a good show. But I was proved wrong partly due to dismal performances by Brazil, Argentina, England and Italy. Germany also could not produce the great skills in the semifinals against Spain and surrendered meekly in front of Villa & company. Spain’s strength is perhaps their capability to produce a goal from anywhere and impeccable ball passing game. They also have a very good goalkeeper in the form of Casillas who saved for them quite a few goals at critical stages. Should everything go well for them, all Spanish fans and countrymen are likely to savour an unprecedented celebration which will go on for days to come.
Netherlands on the other hand has silently made their way through to the finals. There has not been much hype around their players and their game but they are the only team (obviously with exception of Kiwis who bowed out with three draws in the first round) in this tournament who are yet to be beaten. Though they did not face many challenges except the game against Brazil, they have remained consistent and dexterous throughout. Their semifinal match against the depleted Uruguay turned hugely in their favor with two back to back goals in the second half. Dutch strength lies in individual brilliance of Kuyt, Sneijder and Robben. They complement each other very well and are capable of hurling severe threats to the opposition one after another. If their defense could contain Spanish midfielders for a while, there is every possibility that the trio could chip in with that golden goal. After all, they would not like to squander the opportunity (at any cost) which has come to them after 32 years.
Amidst all this, spare a moment for a lone warrior – Diego Forlan. A great leader, fast mover and immaculate shooter who almost did it for Uruguay in the semis. Having said that, their fate was almost sealed with that “golden red card” which ruled Saurez out of the semifinal match. With no one to rally around him, it was too much to ask from Forlan. Thanks to his excellence that Uruguay made it to top four! Simply outstanding! Take a bow!
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2 comments:
Nice football post again. However I must confess I am a bit underwhelmed by the finals. Neither Holland nor Spain sends your pulse racing. The Spanish tendency to pass to death is awfully boring. The Dutch are not a shadow of Cryuff & Co or even Gullit/van Basten & Co. To me, the only memorable thing from South Africa is the vuvuzela !!
@ Ramesh - Yes, vuvuzela is the stuff to cherish from this world cup.
Quite agree that Spain and Netherlands are not the teams which can create the magic and leave you spellbound. Still they played better than others. Part of the problem is also due to placing the teams in groups based on continental preferences. For example, Group A had no big in-form teams and Group G had three very good teams. With Germany and Argentina around, the story would have been much different. But such is the glory of sports! :-)
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