Chandrakant Nair England embarass themselves , yet again . Ha !
Sunday, June 13, 2010
June 13, 2010
Germany vs Australia, Moses Mabhida Stadium, Durban
Germany was not supposed to play like this. This was a team which was playing almost total football. They were patient in their build ups, slowly controlling the game, with every player who were there made it good. The players were having their positions defined but that was just lost in those attacks and counter attacks, where the defenders made great passes into the center for the strikers. The start was good for Australians, with a miss by Garcia who was denied by Lahm. I remember Lahm in last world cup coming as substitute and making phenomenal run along the flanks in the losing match. Now this guy is the captain of the team. Pudolski and Klose were the strikers who made it good in last world cup. Only Cahill is one who is remembered from 2006 edition for Aussies who won hearts with their performance against Brazil(Ronaldo gave the winner then) and Japan. The German team is full of youngsters. Muller who scored the brilliant third goal, Oezil(substituted by Gomez) who had many chances and could not convert, Kedhiera who made many runs inside the 30 yards, Brazilian born Cacau(fourth goal as substitute for Klose) and even last years veterans Pudolski, Schweinsteiger, and Metezecker are all young. Aussies were playing rough after the second goal was scored and captain Neill was always a high contender for red card, though it was Cahill who got it. Cahill should not have gone after Schweinsteiger, and got his card. Garcia was substituted in the second half by Rukyvista after Cahill was suspended, rightly because he was not impressive. The whites and blacks were all around the field. Joechim Leow had tough time just before the match, having lost his goal keeper in a very tragic accident and Micheal Ballack down injured, but still the Germans showed why they won in 1954, 1974 and 1990(which will be debated hotly by Argentine fans). Leow took all his strikers off and played with reserves players, knowing that he had a good margin. What was lacking from Australia was their team runs, no coordinated attacks which could threaten German defense, which was good enough to launch counter attacks immediately. The Mexican referee was good enough almost, but a bit too strict. Ultimately, the better team won. The final score line 4-0 says it all.
Germany 4(Pudolski, Klose, Muller, Cacau) - Australia 0
Ghana vs Serbia; Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Tshwane/Pretoria
The other game in group D were good enough to watch. Ghana played well to win, though the penalty which they got and converted was a suspect. A good spirited effort by Serbs(who, I was reminded by a good friend, got a thrashing last year from his team) still didn't make any difference in the score line. I have heard of the scorer somewhere though I don't remember where.
Ghana 1(Gyan) – Serbia 0
Slovenia vs Algeria; Polokwane, Peter Mokaba Stadium.
Slovenia's first-ever FIFA World Cup victory which was not worth seeing. Will see goals later.
Slovenia 1(Koren) – Algeria 0
Saturday, June 12, 2010
A match that happened an ocean apart, and talking about countries two oceans apart, thats life!!
Chandrakant Nair The moment of truth , yeah .
More than a game, so much to see...
The opening ceremony was great, because of the excellent sweeping camera shots and superb angles. The same cameras are making the match boring. Sometimes the wide angles are not showing the game properly. Even in old days, it was so much better with those still cameras. This is not American football, to see the grunts and puffs of players. The camera in center is good, but somewhere there is a bad one, one which shows a slightly wide screened view. I hope to see world cup with all the passion in the game, not like I am watching some baseball or rugby game, with all the sounds of vuvuzuela and drums beating on, and egging the players to their edge, to win the glorious cup. I do not think this year the camera will change, unless there is some passionate guy in the ESPN team. Still, what is there to lose if my wish do come true? It is more than a game, and there is so much more than just seeing.
England V/s U.S.A; Royal Bafokeng Stadium, June 12, 2010
The second match of second day between inter continental rivals England and USA finished with scoreline as expected, and goals – unexpected. First half started with a great goal by Steven Gerard, running in to a through pass from Heskey. A goal which left US one down, but as seen in all other areas, US never fail to try. They try for goal even with weakest of shots, one of which found a way past a green keeper. A shame of a goal, for all eyes to see this would be a sore sight. A routine stop, by any international keeper, was fumbled and put inside the goal post by Green. Dempsey did it good to shoot it straight. And the expressions on faces of English, well, a great sight to watch. David Beckham had the look of millennium. A match not worth mentioning even, but watched it only because of Steven Gerard. USA was a better team all the way, I loved the way Cherundelo and Donovan controlled the ball, and game. The English defense under Terry was mediocre, Lampard was unimaginative and Rooney subdued. I do not worry about Rooney, he is a match winner, the Nike ad shows perfectly the mind of Rooney. And as my good friend said, England sucks as a team(reason for his bias being Argentina... and mine, they don't play with passion). The second half substitution was better. I think Carragher should have been in starting eleven. Capello does everything correct, but what can he do if the players under him does not do what is asked, even the simplest of tasks, like collecting with both arms and body behind the ball. Lennon was running all over the right wing with a feeble ending, and in the end switched wings with same effect. Heskey is better, fitter and maybe a winner for Capello. Even though he should have scored with that right foot, only to wonder whether he thought that Howard was like Green? The US team has lots better to offer. Bradley, Jr is a good player. Onyewu is one of those players who might be a revelation in this world cup. And they fight really well. I love the American spirit.
Argentina V/s Nigeria; Ellis Park, June 12,2010
The first match of 2010 World cup which is a must watch just finished. Argentina, always a tournament favorite whether they have a good team or not, versus Nigeria, a nation which signaled world about African game, but now dreaming about their heydays of Sunday Oliseh and Nkwano Kano. The Argentine fans were telling a lot about Messi and how he is going to change this world cup. A special friend of mine, a die hard Argentine fan, just wouldn't stop about him. There was pre-match statements about how Messi is better player than Maradona, from the great man himself. A great compliment, perhaps greatest Messi can get, but sorry to say, I don't think he is as good as Pelusa.
The game was supposed to be high scoring. Both teams were good at front and weak at back. Nigerians are strong, and fast, and good with ball, but they played as a bunch of guys who lacked serious match practice. First few minutes into the game, and Messi sparkled with few runs inside the penalty box to be denied by Vincent Eniyema, the Nigerian goalie. A penalty was given in sixth minute and Veron put in a set piece which was brilliantly headed by an unmarked Heinze into the top right corner of post. The game was progressing as predicted, or so it seemed. The counter attacks by Nigeria was many. They were not troubled by a weak defense. Jonas Gutierrez was lumbering around as if he had a ten pound shoes. They were lucky that Nigeria lacked a high class finisher. The score line would have been different on two counts, first Nigeria lacking a finisher, and second Nigeria having a different goalie. The man of the match was Goalie who made life disappointing for Messi time and again.
First half ended with score line being 1-0. Throughout the first half, Veron was ambling around, quickly passing the ball from his feet to Messi. Quite old he is, and not a single flash of that old mid field general who controlled the game. Argentina started with two strikers in front with Messi just behind them, but soon, Messi and Tevez were at front with Higuain blundering all the good build up by the two and Veron floating around behind them. He lacked speed all throughout the game. Personally, I feel Argentina doesn't have a striker of Batistuta's class in this WC. Still, in second half there was enough chances made by these two. Nigeria was controlling the game more, making lots of futile run. Veron was asked to get back inside. Old men should be given more respect. I believe Maradona thinks that Veron has more brain than all others put together about how the game is proceeding. Anyway he used to be my favorite player until the 2006 WC when he played absolutely shabbily. Higuain was also taken off, thankfully Milito was in. And Maxi Rodriguez came in. These guys would have been in my starting eleven. There was again a brilliant miss from Nigeria, no striker could position himself for a cross from left to inside right and the ball was left on its own till it went outside the line. A counter attack inside the Argentine defense with a shot which couldn't be controlled by Uche. Yukubu made a good effort at goal, turning 360 degrees and catching Romiero a few seconds late in his lunge. If the shot was a bit more down, the guy would have to cover his head with towel. A couple of other shots were missed too. Another solitary run by Messi was stopped by Goalie. The left foot kept missing the mark. In the end, the score line was 1-0, with lots of misses. I cannot remember names of any of Nigerian players. All are new to me because I don't follow club football. They played fast and the game was beautiful. I am hoping for a better display in the days to come.
RESULT: ARGENTINA 1( Gabriel Heinze) -NIGERIA 0
Thursday, June 10, 2010
1GOAL: Education for all
1 Goal: Education for all
As the WC unfolds in the continent where the humans first walked and civilization started, the same people are now facing a threat to their very life each day. FIFA is championing the cause of education for all in Africa and WC in South Africa is seen as the special purpose vehicle for that. On the eve of Kick off day of WC 2010, FIFA organized a charity concert with some of the biggest names in African and World music taking stage for the cause. There was a good mixture of native and international songs, some of the music were truly great. There was Alicia Keys singing Empire state of mind to the tune of World Cup, and boy it was wonderful. The official song of WC 2010, Waka Waka(its time for Africa) by Shakira was much awaited. Sadly, the live version didn't live up to the magic when the same had football's greatest moments interceded with the visual. Though Shakira is beautiful to watch, football is ethereal. The highlight of the concert was the song by K'naan. What a powerful lyrics, when you hear him sing about how they are cheated by the authorities, the way they are told gang wars are cool and the way their lives are taken away from them for the joy of a few, evokes vivid images. His voice is very smooth, singing as if he is telling you a lullaby only to wake you up from your slumber. The magic of the Waving flag is the nakedness of the song. It doesn't preach, neither does it cry out, it just says the life. I have heard FIFA theme songs over the years from Cup of Life to Waka Waka, but this song is the closest to my heart. There were advertisements in between about the 1GOAL program. This is endorsed by lots of people, people who cannot afford not to- on various counts. I do not know my part in this, but whatever is to be done by me, will be done. I hope everyone sees the advertisement of 1GOAL, not the one with Pele and Zidane, but the one with people of Africa, and decide for yourself.
Monday, May 24, 2010
Another World Cup
The 2010 FIFA world cup football at South Africa is gonna start on June 11. As usual, my team is Brazil. I have not followed any other team. Still, any team playing Jogo Bonito will have me along with them.
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Will hope to write something, I feel like I have forgotten the game itself. Internazionale won the Champions League. I haven't seen a UEFA match from long time. Its a shame. I still have the picture of Mijatovic holding the Cup admist red tapes flying around. And the image of Inzaghi kissing his ring each time he scores. Juventus and Real Madrid were the teams for me. Now I don't even know who plays for whom. It is all the glitz and money that made the game boring. Where have the fiery guys like Best, Montana, Cryuff, Rossi gone... Wish to see some action soon.
All for the love of the game.
Saturday, June 06, 2009
Magicians from Bernebeau
Image via WikipediaFirst time I noticed the name of Real Madrid was not because of its checkered history or its illustrious players list, rather it was a footage of a young striker toeing in a very fine pass piercing the middle of the box with such a speed that camera was late in focusing the strike. Afterwards I started putting up the history of Real Madrid and with that I was introduced to the world of club football.
Before this particular happening, only two clubs were known to me – Napoli because of Maradona and Santos because of Pele. I was a World cup freak. I had read and re-read all the available matter on WC. I used to imagine the bone breaker Ponti from Argentina stopping all those strikes, and the Uruguayan team which one the world cup twice, and then just faded away. There were also the images of all the yellow, blue and striped blues which used to define the way football has to be played. So when I saw the game of football played by Real Madrid, I was amazed whether club matches also had this kind of wizardry!
I started reading about the time when Real won La Liga year after year. A familiar name was there in that team – one of my all time favorite team's captain – Ferenc Puskas. The stocky Hungarian had a wonderful gait when viewed in those old videos. Real was the team to reckon during those days of Hungarian revolution. Then there was Di Stefano, all time greatest at Bernabéu... his each move was a delight to watch!
Further down the line, I started seeing all La Liga matches, dutifully followed all the million dollar transfers and never bought one of those costly jerseys put up in their store! Still almost 12 years down the line, a hard core Real fan!
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