From The Crowd
Making what you can’t afford
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One Week Out
18 July, 2010: Here is Carey Dall’s wrap up of the World Cup.
One Week Out: Recollections of World Cup 2010 by Carey Dall
My week long hangover since the final whistle of the World Cup 2010 is showing no signs of abatement. Other fanatics of the beautiful game in my midst are also limping about, desperately seeking replacement spectacles to get them to the start of the club season in August. While we gaze with jealousy at others who have taken the occasion to get some rest from the all consuming world of sport, still we look to the Tour de France, the LeBron James scandal, the Reid vs. Angle brawl and so on for our fix.
In vain. For despite an oxygen deprived final game between the Netherlands and Spain, the World Cup in South Africa was easily the most entertaining since France 1998. The level of play was – given all the context: poor pitches, an unreliable Adidas ball, varying altitudes, and the best players having had no rest at all since the previous summer break – quite good. Even the refereeing was better than usual, despite all the whining of American forwards, Dutch midfielders, and every Englishman drawing breath.
In the first round, we saw the underdogs roar. The scrawny Japanese punched well above their weight, much to the surprise of the totally unprepared Cameroonians. New Zealand almost beat a pathetic Italian side. France were well beaten by the Mexicans, whose perennial status as underdog does little justice to their continuous quality.
The World Cup took place in Africa for the first time, and some of us had great expectations for the Ivory Coast and Cameroon. Neither made it out of the first round. For the first time in history, the host nation did not qualify for the second round. Ghana were the surprise packet of the continent: without their superb and inspirational captain Michael Essien, whose thigh injury rendered him unfit, few commentators gave them a chance. However, they were able to overcome strife in their camp and a general lack of organization on the pitch (which bedeviled every African team) to land in the quarterfinals.
The only African team that displayed a semblance of team cohesion were the Algerians. Unfortunately, their lack of fitness sealed their fate. After seventy minutes in their last and decisive match against the USA, they simply stopped running. Landon Donovan, who never stops running, was left alone to tap in a winner at the end of the game to see the USA through to the second round – where they were deservedly beaten by Ghana.
In the second round, the hiccuping Germans made their intentions clear by thrashing England without mercy. Though Lampard was denied a clear goal by one of the few totally obvious referee mistakes of the tournament, England’s many shortcomings were bared for all to see. The young and daring German side would go on to shock Maradona’s Argentinians, though Argentina’s poor defense had been their obvious achilles heel since Brazil humped them in qualifying.
Oh, Brazil. Many hoped that the end of their lackluster performances would come in the quarterfinals, where the challenge of a quality Dutch eleven would inspire the greatness we all know resides in every Brazilian World Cup team. But then Wesley Sneijder went to work. The small Dutch midfielder (by modern standards, his five foot seven frame is tiny indeed!) literally tore the Brazilian defense apart. He even made the best goalkeeper in the world, his Inter Milan teammate Julio Cesar, appear incompetent.
After much hype about this being a South American dominated World Cup, only the unlikely Uruguayans found themselves in the semi finals. (Without fantastic luck, and forward Luis Suarez illegally playing goalkeeper, it would have been Ghana versus Holland in the semis.) Uruguay were given no chance against the Dutch, who gave them every opportunity to equalize in the dying minutes of the first semi final. Spain, who like Brazil were heavily favored at the start of the World Cup but had not played well throughout, strangled the young Germans and won by a hair thanks to Carles Puyol’s powerful header.
The final. Every sign pointed to a wonderful affair, where attacking football would be on display, where weak defenses would be exposed, where brilliant goals would leave the earth’s population gasping with glee. However….
Football did not provide the most inspiring moments at all. Inspiration came in the form of a visibly delighted and seemingly healthy Nelson Mandela, whose very presence in the stadium brought joy to all people of conscience.
The game itself, though not entirely lacking incident, was not reflective of the tantalizing drama the World Cup had seen in the previous four weeks. The Spanish dominated possession of the ball. The Dutch midfield tried to keep them at bay. The Dutch midfielders responsible for containing the brilliant passing of Xavi Hernandez and Iniesta were Marc van Bommel and Nigel De Jong. They lost their cool early, and played poorly throughout. Both should have been sent off, most notably De Jong whose cleats to the chest kicking of Xavi Alonso was the most brutal action of the tournament.
Nonetheless, Spain handled Holland in much the same way they took on Germany, by holding the ball in domineering possession and quickly strangling any attempt of the opposition to get out of their own half. Iniesta’s winner near the end of overtime gave Spain their first ever World Cup, a deserving end to a string of great performances by the little Catalan wizard.
So now we look forward to Brazil 2014. Accommodations are already at a premium in Rio, where I can’t even find an odd sofa in the city’s favelas for the month long festival. Brazil are already favored to win, of course. Though they must qualify first, which given their current form is not automatic.
See you in Rio!
The End Draws Near
Here is the 3rd in 4 of Carey Dall’s World Cup posts
The End Draws Near
The great spectacle is drawing to a shrill, vuvuzalean finale. The 2010 World Cup has been worth the wait indeed, and with a highly anticipated Final waiting for us on Sunday, the fast lane is choking with carnage.
Michel Platini, legendary French midfielder of the 1980s and now head of the European Football Association (UEFA), is in the hospital. Heart problems are rumoured. He was last seen collapsing at dinner, having no doubt overdosed on pasta (his favourite) and Gerard Houlier’s (former Liverpool coach) table manners.
Both FIFA and the South African hosts of the tournament have been pilloried before the world for terrible organization of the proceedings. The Paraguayan captain Justo Villar, whose play in goal was extraordinary, took particular issue with the team buses. Air transport has fared little better – a near riot erupted on a flight from Cape Town to Durban, when fans with tickets for the Spain-Germany semi-final missed the game because their plane had to wait for celebrity charters to clear the runway. Paris Hilton is said to be at fault.
In other news, Spanish midfielder Sergio Busquets’ hotel room was recently burglarized – presumably Paris Hilton is not to blame for this one!
And finally, a note on the discomfort of the Dutch side vying for a world cup trophy on soil which the Boers so viscously once ruled: I am by no means an expert on the history of either Dutch imperialisms or the struggles of South Africans to free themselves of the tyranny of a colonising minority. Furthermore, I am ignorant of which sides the different sectors of the South African population will be supporting on Sunday. (I suspect that FIFA in particular has the lid tightly sealed on this one!) Thus, I see nothing wrong with a Dutch victory – though if I am wrong, I expect to be corrected!
So, two games left to go. Let’s take a look.
The “Battle for 3rd Place”: Germany vs. Uruguay
Wrong! Despite the self induced hype, neither of the teams care. However, many an individual on the pitch will have a personal stake in playing well, so there will be some dripping drama to juice.
Thomas Mueller, Miroslav Klose, and Diego Forlan are all in the hunt for the top goal-scorer award of the tournament with four goals each. Currently, David Villa (Spain) and Wesley Sneijder (Holland) – both of whom will feature in Sunday’s Final – are atop the standings for the “Golden Boot” with five goals each. Mueller, Klose and Forlan will be pouncing for opportunities to score. Forlan’s strike partner Luis Suarez has scored thrice, and is an outside favourite for the Boot.
Some of the Uruguayans will be hoping to up their marketability for moves to bigger clubs in Europe, and a bigger weekly pay packet. Money will not be quite the same inspiration for the Germans, who all play quite comfortably close to the beer tap. As my uncle Peter used to remind us, “Durst ist schlimmer als Heimweh!” (Thirst is worse than being homesick!)
UPDATE: An hour before kick-off, and the German tabloid Bild is reporting that the Brazilian born Cacau may replace Klose in the starting line-up. A real scandal, this!
Lastly, Paul the Octopus has predicted a German victory. Who am I to argue? I would only add that Forlan is favorite to take the Golden Boot. A clever player with an amazing ability to adapt, he will find space between the otherwise excellent Schweinsteiger in midfield and the largely incompetent central defense of Mertesacker and Friedrich. And then he will beat on all three like the rented mules that they are!
Still, Germany will win….
The Final: Holland vs. Spain
Speaking of that ravenous beast Paul, he has been forced into calling the Final by his handlers – a merciless and spotlight seeking lot who are now weighing “transfer fee” offers from shady Spanish operatives. We shalln’t be shocked that he has chosen Spain to win the World Cup Final. He undoubtedly doesn’t want to upset his future employers: there’s no union for circus sea life.
Much is being made in the European press about the Spanish and Dutch debt to Johann Cruyff, the maestro of Holland and Barcelona in the 1970s. Together with Rinus Michels, the Dutch national team coach of the 1970s – 1990s, Cruyff introduced a free flowing, artistically skilled and strategically inventive brand of the game called Total Football. Dependent on exquisite ball control, premium fitness, the ability of all players (save the keeper) to play in all positions, and dominant possession of the ball, Total Football has been attempted by Spanish and Dutch squads ever since. The Final will have Cruyff’s paws all over it, and we the spectators are much the richer as a result.
The key battle in this game will involve four midfielders: De Jong and Van Bommel for Holland, Xavi and Iniesta for Spain. De Jong and Van Bommel are defensive midfielders, who will be saddled with the responsibility of stifling the great Xavi and Iniesta. Xavi and Iniesta both play for FC Barcelona, and have been raised on Cruyff’s knees. They are the best possessors of the ball in the world, as the doomed Germans learned in the final 15 minutes of the semi-final.
De Jong and Van Bommel are hard men. Versatile and somewhat visionary on the ball, if they do their job well their attacking colleague in the Dutch midfield – Wesley Sneijder – will be freed to expose the teetering Spanish central defense. However, the signs point to Spanish domination of midfield. Van Bommel has been emotionally erratic, and should have been sent off in at least three matches. In fact, the Mirror UK reports that he is a 33 to 1 to be red carded Sunday – fairly low odds given that red cards are somewhat rare, particularly in World Cup Finals! De Jong has played poorly this past season at Manchester City, when he could get a game, and has done little to impress so far in South Africa.
The advantage therefore goes to Spain. Though it does bear repeating that the Spanish defense has problems. One expects that the one footed Van Persie and Robben should be easy to contain, but Kuyt is another matter, and Sneijder, who has conquered all comers, is definitely in the mood.
Up front for Spain, all is chaos with the exception of David Villa who leads the race for the Golden Boot with Sneijder. Will his slippery play, aided by the sheer genius of the midfielders behind him, overcome the tired ineptitude of Fernando Torres?
The trophy will be hoisted high for the first time by one of these nations Sunday night. For the joy that both of their football cultures have brought the world’s billions, they are both thoroughly deserving.
Buckle up, my friends. We’re in store for a wild ride in the number one lane. The football will be superb. No doubt. But passing on the right will not be allowed, and the carnage will continue.
Paul the Octopus says, “Nein!” Calamari Anyone?
7 July 2010. About 90 minutes to the Spain-Germany game and here is another post from Carey Dall which in his own words is “Here’s my take on today’s semi-final, Germany vs. Spain. I wrote it very quickly again, so it’s somewhat windy… Hope you’re enjoying the games!
Paul the Octopus says, “Nein!” Calamari Anyone?
By Carey Dall
Germany are doomed. Paul the Octopus, the Oracle of Oberhausen, who has successfully predicted the winner in each of Germany’s World Cup matches so far, called the winner of the second semi-final yesterday. Paul ate his lunch of mussels from the box adorned with a Spanish flag, thus inspiring quiet panic in the German team. The German press suspect that Paul is up to shenanigans this time, however, because of his English birth.
All circus antics and silliness aside, we’ve got a cracker here folks! Spain against Germany, a repeat of the European Championship Final of 2008. Amazingly, the Spanish victory in that game (1-0) gave Spain its first ever major trophy in international football. The Germans have more in the silverware cabinet: World Cup trophies in 1954, 1974, and 1990, in addition to a handful of Euro Championship victories. The German team are hinting at revenge; the Spanish show the lack of concern of a team that knows it will possess the ball for most of the game.
So what can we expect?
Unlike the Spaniards, the Germans have obliterated their opposition in the past two rounds. 4-1 against England and 4-0 against Argentina are dizzying results for a young squad which is largely unproven and without world class players. We can expect attacking football from the Germans again, largely because of the need to get the ball as far away from their central defenders as possible.
Arne Friedrich and Per Mertesacker are two of the worst defenders in German history. It’s almost criminal that the nation which gave us Beckenbauer and Buchwald would put these saps on the pitch. However, they were wonderful against Argentina, forever blocking the intentions of Messi, Higuain, and Tevez. In fact, Mertesacker, whose height is six foot six inches, actually beat Lionel Messi in a one on one foot race in the 65th minute of the quarterfinal. One of the key questions for today is will these two rise again to stifle the superb, small David Villa and the lackluster Fernando Torres?
Much has been made in the press about the absence of Thomas Mueller from the German side today. (Having been yellow carded twice in two games, he is suspended.) Mueller’s four goals, and more importantly, his incredible, Kuyt-like work rate have been vital to Germany’s progression. As of this writing, the German coach is silent as to who will replace Mueller on the right wing. If we are lucky, the German coach Loew will choose the dimunitive Piotr Trochowski (26) – a real live wire with brilliant dribbling and passing skill. The alternative is the 20 year old Toni Kroos, whose play is more muscular, less proven, and certainly less entertaining.
The key for the Germans is to remain diligent in defense, to harry the wonderful central midfield of Spain, to force the play towards Xavi Alonso in midfield, and to get at Spain’s own blunder prone central defense of Puyol and Pique.
To understand the Spanish team one must first understand the clash of cultures which is Real Madrid versus FC Barcelona. Without going into detail, these two Spanish teams play quite different styles of the game. Furthermore, they enjoy what is probably the second most heated (after Celtic-Rangers in Glasgow) rivalry in European sport. And now these sworn enemies have to play together for their national team. So far in this World Cup, the strain – on the field, not in the club house – has been evident.
Starting with the back, the two central defenders Gerard Pique and Carles Puyol are from Barcelona. Their goalkeeper, Iker Casillas, hails from Real Madrid and many think he is the best keeper in the world. Miscommunication has been the norm with these three, nearly resulting in bloopers with an alarming frequency. In truth, it is Pique and Puyol who are to blame – a statement which truly breaks my Barcelona loving heart! These two can have good days, though they generally give Barcelona and Spain fans panic attacks with their flailing incompetence in defense. Offense is another matter: Pique is known to furnish his attacking teammates with precise, penetrating passes. Puyol will buccaneer on both wings, or suddenly appear in the opposing goalkeepers box to challenge a crossed ball.
In midfield, the cool, dominant ball possession of Xavi Hernandez and Andres Iniesta (both of Barcelona) comes into stark opposition with the overly direct play of Xavi Alonso. Alonso, who plays at Real Madrid, spent formative years plying his trade in Liverpool where he clearly learned to hoof the ball at the first sign of stress. Doing so in the context of the Spanish team has disrupted the flow of their midfield, and offered openings for much weaker opposition to counter-attack (particularly Paraguay).
Up front, Spain have a dilemma. Fernando Torres has been awful so far, and for my money will get shut down by Friedrich. If this happens, the Spanish coach del Bosque would be wise to bring on the powerful Basque striker Fernando Llorente. His presence alone up front will put the Germans on their heels. Torres, clearly tired from a long, bruising season in England, simply does not inspire the same level of respect.
On paper the match seems even. In the fish tank, Spain has the advantage. But I’m rooting for Germany. The prospect of a Germany-Holland Final tickles me blau grana!
Calamari anyone?
One Hour From Kick-off
6 July, 2010: From time to time I hope to have guest bloggers. The first is Carey Dall on the World Cup. Robert Gumpert
One Hour From Kick-off:
From The Hell of the North to Semi-final Action in Cape Town
By Carey Dall
As the clock ticks toward kick off in Cape Town, Lance Armstrong muscles over the cobble stones of Belgium and north France, desperately accelerating to close the gap to the leaders of the Tour de France. “The Hell of the North” has left the superb Franck Schleck of Luxembourg on his side with a battered head. Only as the old dust of these medieval paths settles will we fully comprehend the extent of today’s Tour de France carnage.
But as mouthwatering as the Tour’s brutality may be, the main course of today’s sporting life is being served from the South African coast. The world has had two full days to catch its breath after three weeks of constant World Cup action. Now, somewhat reluctantly, we move into the final phase of this football feast, not wanting it to end yet achingly anticipating what drama is to come.
The first semi-final: Uruguay against Holland. The traditional hard-men, the brutal, the cynical practitioners of the dark arts that are Uruguay meeting the traditional artists, intellectuals, neurotic geniuses that are Holland.
In truth, this affair is expected to result in an easy victory for Holland. As of this morning, a Uruguayan victory pays 6 to 1. Translated: Uruguay do not have a chance, as the play of both teams so far seems to indicate. But let’s look closer.
The Dutch have not overpowered anybody so far, much unlike their German neighbors. Adequate in group play, and increasingly impressive in their match against the hapless Brazilians, they enter the semi final round with a point to prove.
Only the remarkable Wesley Sneijder has performed to expectations, which were very high for such a small man. The game is played by very tall men in the modern period. Tall men topple easily when confronted with an excellent dribbler of the ball whose low center of gravity allows for quick direction changes. As the key attacking central midfielder for the Dutch team, Sneijder’s role is to orchestrate the attack with passes of the ball that penetrate the opposition’s defense so that the other Dutch attackers can have opportunities to score. He is also expected to score the occasional goal himself. Happily for the connoisseur of good football, he has carried his genius for both roles from his club season in Italy to the World Cup in South Africa. The Brazilians are the latest victims of his dominance. Unable to contain the little Dutch wizard, they succumbed to two Sneijder goals in the quarterfinal round.
Other Dutchmen to watch:
Dirk Kuyt, the workhorse, has been competent. Do the Uruguayans have the lungs to outlast this athletic marvel?
Arjen Robben, the artist (some might say “ball-hog”), has been closely watched and stifled by opposing defenses. Will Uruguayan defensive vigour hold him in check?
John Heitinga, the defender. The weak link in an otherwise solid defensive line, marshaled by the captain Gio van Bronckhorst . Heitinga played enormously well against Brazil. He absolutely stymied the otherwise brilliant Luis Fabiano. If Holland is to keep Forlan, Uruguay’s only able forward, at bay, Heitinga needs to play out of his skin again.
For Uruguay, the calculus is simple. With Forlan’s attacking partner Luis Suarez suspended for his goal line handball against the unfortunate Ghana, Uruguay have very few attacking options. Forlan, who is the third generation in his family to take part in World Cup proceedings, must get the ball at his feet in the attacking third of the field. His midfield teammates must run and run and run to support him, while taking heed of their defensive responsibilities.
Defense will be the key for Uruguay. Sneijder, Robben, and Van Persie cannot be allowed time on the ball. They must be mobbed. No one can limit the effervescent Kuyt, but if the Uruguayans can force him wide and into the corner, he will not mortally do them.
Simply put, Uruguay has to revert to their traditional role of brutality and violence. (In the tournament so far, the South Americans have played with laudable restraint because they could. Their opposition up to this point has been largely laughable.) Their most elegant (and competent!) defender is their inspirational captain Lugano. He unfortunately came off in the last round with a knee injury, and is not expected to start – a real loss for the neutral fan, not to mention the Uruguayan public.
Therefore, Uruguay must kick Holland off the pitch, literally. This however, is not likely to be permitted by the Uzbecki referee Irmatov, who knows only to well the deserved reputation of Uruguayan football.
Finally, a very good friend of mine (who happens to be of Brazilian extraction) has noted sick irony at the prospect of the Dutch winning their first World Cup in a land their countrymen dominated with imperial racism and inhumanity. Next time.