by NICK NEHAMAS
July 2nd, 2010
When you’re wrong, you’re wrong. And today I was wrong. What makes it a little more aggravating is that Alexi Lalas was right: Holland 2 Brazil 1. This was certainly the foulest tempered game of the World Cup thus far (though not as brutal as the disgusting display between Portugal and Holland four years ago in which two players from each team were sent off). Robinho set the tone when cameras clearly captured him screaming “F*** YOU” into the face of the stunned Dutch midfielder De Jong just a few minutes into the match. He delivered a more effective blow at Dutch hopes for advancement when he got in behind their defense (for some inexplicable reason Holland’s flying winger Arjen Robben was marking the Brazilian forward with defenders Heitinga and Ooijer caught completely out of position) before latching onto Felipe Melo’s perfect through ball and finishing easily past a helpless Stekelenberg. It would be one of his only positive contributions to an otherwise exceedingly ugly match. A pity that both teams are not on a plane back home.
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The Dutch were static and predictable, their only openings coming from the hard work of Dirk Kuyt down the left, long balls over the top to striker van Persie or Robben’s attempts to cut into the box from his position on the right wing. The Brazilians seemed content, as they always have been under Dunga, to sit back on their 1-0 lead and look for opportunities on the counter. Despite a series of lovely back-heels, flicks and one-twos, these proved few-and-far between with Luis Fabiano ineffective up front and Kaka the only spark of life aside from the occasional run forward of right-back Maicon. Their best chance came when Juan fired over on the half-volley after Dani Alves did well to send in a low cross from the right. Meanwhile, every throw in was argued (What ME?? Are you blind??!! It went off him!!), every call protested, eyes rolling and teeth flashing in anger and exasperation. Tempers flared as both sides shoved and accused the other of diving and play-acting. These men were playing for a chance at a World Cup semi-final and the niceties of the game stood not a chance of being observed.
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In the second-half, the game was turned on its head as the Dutch scored twice on balls into the box—a traditional specialty for this physically-imposing Brazilian defense—and Dunga’s tactics were exposed as naïve and one dimensional. The first goal was improbable as Sneijder’s curling deep cross eluded every Dutch player in the box before skimming off the top of Melo’s head and past the punch of the onrushing Julio Cesar into the net. Did the hideous vuvuzelas drown out the keeper’s desperate pleas for his midfielder to leave the ball alone? I don’t speak much Portuguese but my guess is Cesar would confirm that suspicion in private. The second goal had more intention about it as Kuyt brilliantly headed Robben’s whipped-in corner back across the danger-area for Sneijder to head home. That man Melo, who played a crucial part in the other two goals, inexplicably left the Inter playmaker unmarked. Brazil were forced to go forward in search of an equalizer but, except for Kaka, seemed short of ideas.
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Their hopes were dealt a death blow when Melo was rightly shown a straight red card by the Japanese referee for stamping on a prostrate Robben. It was always going to be a struggle with ten men but the best Dunga, whose nickname means “Dopey” in Portuguese, could do was make a straight substitution, Fabiano coming off for Nilmar. It was not enough and the Brazilians crashed out far earlier than even their most pessimistic fans had anticipated. Tears for Kaka, joy for the dispiriting Dutch, who I sincerely hope will bow out in the semis. Look for Dunga, surprisingly handed this job four years ago despite never having held a professional coaching job, to be given the sack or resign by the end of the day. Uruguay and Ghana kick off in an hour and a half. We can expect greater sportsmanship from them.
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One Moment of Comedy: Referee Mr. Nishimura accidentally showing Ooijer a red card for kicking the ball away from Kaka on a late Brazilian throw-in. He laughed upon realizing his mistake and quickly pulled out the yellow, much to the relief of the Dutch, the cards presumably having gotten mixed up after Melo’s sending-off.
Tags: World Cup 2010
Posted in Sports |
by NICK NEHAMAS
June 11th, 2010
Soccer fans the worlds over breathed a sigh of relief and gratitude today as the World Cup kicked off without a hitch in Johannesburg’s aptly-named Soccer City stadium. Hosts South Africa got the action going as they battled a solid Mexican team to a 1-1 draw. Amidst the customary drone of the home fans’ beloved vuzuvela (incredibly loud plastic trumpets), the South Africans started nervously and seemed to be out of their depth with Mexican full-back Pablo Aguilar and winger Giovanni Dos Santos combining well down the right. Home keeper Khune was kept busy by his opponents but managed to keep the ball out of the net while picking out his teammates beautifully with his clearances and distribution. Arsenal’s Carlos Vela did manage to slot home but the Uzbekistani linesman correctly called the goal back for offside. Meanwhile, Katlego Mphela missed a sitter, the host’s best chance of the opening forty-five. Mexico had several other chances to score before the break with the aging Guille Franco particularly guilty of profligacy. Many had expected the young Manchester United-bound Javier Hernandez to start up front as the lone striker but he had to settle for a substitute’s entrance in the 73rd.
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South African stars Steven Pienaar and Teko Modise seemed a bit off the pace but their midfield partners Dikgacoi and Tshabalala combined beautifully to open the scoring, the former’s perfectly weighted through-ball finished to perfection by the latter’s left foot. The team’s celebratory dance by the right corner flag sent the home crowd into ecstasy in the 55th minute. The good feeling was not to last long, however, as South Africa were brought back down to earth by some poor defending late on. Substitute Guardado sent an excellent ball into the box from the left that was well-finished by Barcelona’s defender Rafa Marquez in the 79th. The home side’s captain Mokoena will be disappointed that, despite playing three Mexican attackers onside, he was unable to head clear the danger. Mphela then missed a late chance to steal all three points after he latched onto a long ball from the keeper and beat the Mexican defense before seeing his rather weak rolling shot bounce to safety off the post.
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Highlights here: http://www.footytube.com/video/south-africa-mexico-jun11-49255
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Overall, a fair result and an entertaining match if not one for the purists. South Africa, having presumably worked the butterflies out of their collective stomach, will look to build on this result against a physical Uruguay side next Wednesday while Mexcio will need to improve their finishing and build-up play if they hope to get a result against the creaky but still formidable French.
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In Group A’s other match, a physical Uruguay side met a France team low on confidence amidst rumors of discord in the dressing room and the news that controversial coach Raymond Domenech plans to retire at the end of the tournament. France, who came within a penalty of World Cup glory in 2006 inspired by the brilliance of Zidane, were uninspiring today perhaps encumbered by Domenech’s cautious tactics but even more frustrated by the aggressive Uruguyuan rear-guard. Anchored in central defense by the impressive Godin, the South Americans hassled and harried the French on and off-the-ball while looking to counter with Diego Forlan and the young Suarez, who has scored 74 goals in 97 appearances with Ajax of Amsterdam.
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At times, Uruguay used five defenders and two shielding midfielders to take up space and harass the French. The tactics were effective if not overly imaginative and France were duly stifled. Anelka looked isolated up front, Govou seemed non-existent on the right while Ribery was trailed loyally at all times by two Uruguayans. Gourcouff, one of several promising young players to be hailed as his country’s next Zidane, came closest to beating Muslera when he took a shot from a distant set piece instead of delivering the expected cross. The baby-faced 23-year old ‘keeper, who plays his club football with Roman side Lazio, proved equal to the task at hand, however, getting across his goal superbly to keep out the Frenchman’s clever effort. At the other end, Forlan skewed his volley wide when few familiar with his exploits in the Spanish league would have expected him to miss although his classy close control and creative qualities were evident for all to see in a man-of-the-match-peformance. A little drama was added to the game when young Uruguayan midfielder Lodeiro was dismissed for an ugly tackle on Sagna just minutes after entering the pitch as a substitute, leaving his team in a tight spot for twenty-odd minutes. Uruguay ultimately survived this mishap to earn a deserved point though Govou and France’s all-time leading scorer, Thierry Henry, will be disappointed not to have scored with the goal gaping before them. Final score: 0-0
Highlights here: http://www.footytube.com/video/uruguay-v-france-49294
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Uruguay seem likely to put up a hard fight against any side brave enough to challenge them and are capable of beating both South Africa and Mexico. France need to break out of their shell if they hope to make a mark at this tournament. They need a playmaker of vision with nerves of steel. They need a leader. They need Zidane, head-butts and all. They can’t have him. Instead, look for Domenech to replace the ineffective Govou with Chelsea’s flying winger Florent Malouda and perhaps sacrifice a midfielder for Henry.
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A bit of IRONY: Thierry Henry, whose blatant and deliberate hand-ball late on in a play-off game against the Republic of Ireland qualified France for this World Cup, begging the Japanese referee to give a penalty for a non-existent hand-ball by a Uruguay defender. The Hand of Gaul still at work.
Tags: World Cup 2010
Posted in Uncategorized |
