Monday 12 July 2010
A disappointing World Cup
I know that Spain was arguably the best team and won the World Cup. No doubt, the Spaniards deserved to win given that they played well consistently throughout the World Cup if you leave out their game against Switzerland. However,what disappointed me was the under achievement of Latin American teams. At the pre-quarters, it was hailed as a World Cup that would be dominated by the South Americans given that all 5 Latin American teams qualified. Alas, it was not to be. What ails Latin American soccer? Teams from the continent are supposed to play the most attractive soccer but yet, they failed. The reason could be that teams like Brazil changed their style of play and started trying to play more like the European teams. One thing that coaches like Dunga should realize is that you play to your strengths and not try to change your style. Portugal tried being too defensive and everyone knew how far they got. To win games and to win the World Cup, you need to play attacking soccer even if it means that your opponent could score goals against you. Brazil has been known for playing real attacking soccer but in this World Cup, the team was a shadow of its former self. Dunga left out great players like Ronaldiho suggesting a shift in strategy. True, Ronaldinho was not playing the best soccer of his life at that particular point in time but you just don't shut out a player of such class. Dunga deserved being thrown out after the World Cup. What ailed Argentina? I really don't know but I think they just had a bad day against the Germans that day. They really didn't deserve to lose 0-4. Uruguay was a bit unlucky in the third place play off and in the semifinals but then again, they were lucky against Ghana. Chile and Paraguay were good in patches but never showed that they were capable of playing on the 11th of July. I really hope that footballing giants like Brazil and Argentina really focus on their strengths in the next World Cup and stop trying to imitate the European style of play. The European style of play is efficient but not elegant save for teams like Spain. The Latin American style of play is magic and a treat for the eyes. Alas, we saw too little of the latter this World Cup.Some critics say that Brazil and Argentina are overrated. They are not overrated; they just didn't go all out. It is a long painstaking wait for 2014 but it might be one worth waiting for if we finally do see some magic....
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5 comments:
Good post but I really do think that it is over for the South American teams. The Europeans have caught up
My heart was with Germany as i was stunned by their 4-0 win against Australia, but their loss to serbia was unpardonable especially when podolski missed the penalty.
amidst the huge fan base of Argentina and Brazil which was like political parties out here, i secretly supported germany and i was disappointed with the loss to spain.
Germany has a Incredible Defence even lionel messi couldn't pierce through it.
But after having heard about paul the scoundrel i was wishing for loss of Germany and spain.
But paul the octopus of Aquatic park in Oberhausen won it.
It is real stupid Zanil how people believe in an Octopus. I mean because of this, I wanted Spain to lose in the final though after Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and Germany were out, I thought Spain deserved to win
Johnson,
Bad losers or not, you know deep down in your heart that players from South America have that sort of talent no other player in Europe or elsewhere has. They might not have clicked as teams but individually, they are really talented.
I agree but they also need to perform
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