WELL PLAYED THE NETHERLANDS.

Never in the history of FIFA World Cup the defending champions received such a humiliating defeat as Spain did today and as shown live in TV at 12.30 in Goa.  It was not an ordinary defeat but a real massacre where the normal might of Spain as seen during the last 8 years was totally liquidated by the excellence of the Netherlands. 

 

 

During the first half especially after scoring their goal thru penalty kick by their defender Alonso it looked Spain will easily carry the day and in fact the way they were playing it was proving that they were underestimating their opponents. Their moves and actions on the field showing that they were sure to defeat the Netherlands as they did 4 years back in the last World Cup final.   But since last final and now there is lot of change in the Netherlands and that it is so they proved it in this encounter by defeating the reigning champions with a margin of 5-1 goals.

The penalty awarded to Spain by the Italian referee was absolutely right and  Alonso was also right in hitting it so hard otherwise Dutch keeper would save it easily since he dived in the same corner as the ball entered the net. But the equaliser scored by Persee thru the well measured header was extremely beautiful beating the world best keeper Cassilas under Spanish bar.  In fact Cassilas such an experienced and expert keeper was totally at a loss standing still like a monument watching the ball going into his net over him.  Such a mighty keeper otherwise it was a pity to see him thus turning himself into a monument.

The other 4 goals scored by Robben 2, Persee 1 again and by Stephan Vrij were all exceptionally great.  The second goal of Persee by snatching the ball from Cassilas due to silly mistake of Cassilas to clear the ball in time was fantastic one and the other one scored by Robben by dribbling past two defenders and Cassilas as well was an extra ordinary feat of his sprinting prowess. He, Persee and Schneider in the midfield have totally changed the game in the second half with their intelligent moves and with short passing. Finally it was a pity to see Spain surrendering  so easily their normal might to the clever play makers of the Netherlands.

The first match between Cameroun and Mexico did not create much excitement as the second one but the winners Mexico were the deserving winners and winnining goal scored by their forward Peralta was worth admiring.  Rogoer Millal’s Cameroun was expected to create an upset but they lacked Roger Milla's skill in their rank and for this reason they lost.

I did not watch the third match.

 

A.    Veronica Fernandes,

Candolim, Goa.

Tel: 7507394349.  

WELL DONE BRAZIL.

Well done Brazil.  It was deserving victory against Croatia in the inaugural match of the World Cup tournament at Sao Paolo in Brazil.  It was shown on TV in Goa at 1.30 AM today 13^th of this month.

Full marks for Neymar’s performance of which type I have not seen when he plays for Barelona.  In this match his ball control was superb, dribbling was fantastic and passing the ball was accurate. Though his first goal was not very powerful left footer yet it was very accurate from outside the box that totally fooled the Croatian goalie.  In the second goal he teaches a very good lesson for the penalty takers how to shoot it, that means very hard giving no chance for the keeper to save it even though goalie may put his hand for the ball as it was done by Croatian keeper. It was a right decision by the Japanese Referee to give the penalty as Croatian defender clearly pulled the Brazilian forward in the Box. The third goal scored by their youngster Oscar was just a class by itself. He did just the right thing by hitting the ball with his toe without wasting any more time otherwise it would have been difficult. The self goal scored by the Brazilian defender was his real unavoidable mistake though such mistakes are not acceptable from world class defenders.

As a whole both the teams played aggressive soccer in which Brazil dominated the proceedings and even missed more scoring chances. Brazilian keeper Julio Ceasar played well.  Brazilian counter attacks were very piercing. With this victory Brazil will go on improving their performance match by match. Their accuracy in short passing even near their goalmouth was pleasure to watch.

Being a new country born from the split of Yugoslavia when Yugoslavia was balkanized in the aftermath of the collapse of Communism in Europe in early Nineties, Croatia has been doing lot of development in soccer. They have innumerable foot-ball Academies to coach young boys from the very early age and this programme helps Croatia to develop its soccer on scientific basis.

Capt. Paul D’Souza from Candolim, Pintos Vaddo, in early Nineties when his Ship docked in one of the Ports in Croatia, visited one of his friends there who while wishing him bi-bi said that “he wants to take his son now for training to the foot-ball Academy”.  When Capt. Paul D’Souza asked his friend how old is your son? Came the reply saying “Three and Half”. From here one can know why these countries in Europe are doing extremely well in foot-ball. It is the scientific  training methods from the very early age. Can’t we in Goa emulate their example to produce Peles, Maradonas, Ronaldos and Messis by establishing soccer Academies in every locality?

 

A.    Veronica Fernandes,
Candolim, Goa.
7507394349.   

FOOT-BALL WORLD CUP 2014.

In another 24 hours, the great sporting show of FIFA World Cup 2014 will begin in Brazil.  This is the second time  Brazil is hosting the tournament, earlier it was in 1950.   Brazil is the only country that participated in every tournament since the inception year in 1930 in Uruguay when the host country won the inaugural tournament by defeating its South American neighbor Argentina. So far Brazil is the only country that won the World Cup 5 times.  Brazil along with Italy had unique distinction of winning the World Cup consecutively twice in 1958 and 1962 just as Italy in 1934 and 1938. However, because of the last World War II, World Cup tournament was not held in 1942 and 1946.

Jules Rimet a great lover of soccer from France was instrumental in taking the initiative to begin this tournament in 1930 in Uruguay and actual decision for this was taken just a year earlier, that is, in 1929 while now it takes about 10 years to decide and allot the slot for the host country.

In the beginning till 1978 it was the tournament of 16 countries but from 1982 the number of participating countries increased to 24 and currently it reached to 32 counties. No doubt, by increasing the number of participating teams FIFA has given opportunities to more countries especially from Asia and Africa to take part in this competition but on the other hand the quality of soccer was sacrificed. When teams were less the quality and standard of soccer was very high.

In the history of soccer Brazilian Revelino had the distinction of scoring the fastest goal in 14 seconds in Brazil at Club level but will this record be broken by anyone in Brazil? Let us wait and see.  In the history of World Cup Soccer, Frenchman Just Fontaine carry the unique distinction of scoring the highest number of goals, that is, 13 in one single tournament and this feat he achieved in 1958 in Sweden.  Is there any chance for any Ronaldos, Messis and Neymars to shatter this record?  I doubt very much.

Though the inaugural match of this edition will be played on 12^th of this month but it will be beamed in Goa on 13^th because of the time difference. Even then what guaranty is there we in Goa will get the opportunity to see this match live and other matches too uninterrupted due to electrical power disruption and Cable operation disruption as well?  As it is these disruptions are very frequent and nobody bothers to rectify this malady and yet India boasts of its atomic prowess. The other Atomic powers are doing wonders and we in India are lacking in so many amenities inspite of our technological advancement.

Will Brazil win this Cup for the 6th time?  I doubt very much, firstly because if history repeats itself then there is no chance for Brazil to win this Cup on its soil and secondly because Brazil does not possess great players in its team capable of winning the World Cup. One Neymar is not capable to win the Cup for Brazil and he does not fall into the category of greats of the type Brazil had in the past.   

Can Portugal win this Cup? Again one Ronaldo is not sufficient enough to win the Cup even though he will entertain the world with his skillful play especially in the aerial duels and in dribbling. He lacks the killing instinct of his former compatriot Eusebio.

Will Messi's Argentina create an upset? Not at all because they rely too much on Messi who no doubt a great player but only at Club level. He is not Maradona to win the Cup single handedly.

Spain stands very good chance to re-emerge victorious since their team is intact and still in very good form, only defender Puyol is missing.

Germany also is capable of creating last minute upset.

Asian and African teams stand remote chances to move ahead.  However, the actual forecast can be done only after the first round. Till then, all the best to all the teams.

 

A. Veronica Fernandes,

Candolim, Goa.

Tel:7507394349.