While there’s this general paranoia about the world cup being a non-club-football fan’s tournament (yes, nothing is more mouthwatering than a Liverpool 0-0 Middlesborough), it would be quite wasteful of this blog to miss out on the piece of action. Especially when yours truly has been doing a fair amount of Fantasy league table topping stuff lately (gloat).
The French team getting knocked out in Group A has given us the most schadenfraude moment of all, to an extent that some people were actually feeling pitiful for that mockery of a manager. That Karma thing is a real flat on the table bitch, they would have learnt by now. The Italians sadly were never the same team they were four years ago. No threatening strikers, no playmakers and a surprisingly woeful defence ended in a premature exit from Group F. The drama at the Group whose letter I forget, saw USA sneaking in late and the English also doing enough, meaning our gooner could come up with a wise analogy about world wars. Although am pretty sure most people here are rooting for Germany this time.
And as if that wasn’t enough, Spain found themselves in as much deep waters as the BP oil rig before their Chile match. Argentina on the other hand have been ridiculed far too much before the event and now the tables have turned for them as well. That’s more than a handful of surprises for an event that hasn’t started yet.
So the underlying question is, I ask, “Could this be the best world cup of our times, if not ever?” Given most of the readers (I presume) would agree France ’98 being the best of our generation. That it has also been the first that made us take notice of the spectacle before we were spoilt by the Premier league. ’98 we watched the elegance of the samba tribe at its best only to be destroyed by the guile of Zidane and Co. It had its share of controversies and entertainment, Ronaldo making a sudden appearance in the final after being initially left out, the mandatory English player sending off in Beckham, the emergence of a wunderkid in Michael Owen, the Dennis Bergkamp genius-goal to name a few. A little bit of wishful thinking tells me ’10 could only get better from here if the following were to happen.
- England has to bring it on the Germans. Surely. With England vs Argentina being a more enticing prospect given its history, and Germans being too nice and young and uncontroversial. And Wayne Rooney still kicking it harder before he eventually kicks the wrong balls (Man United experience let’s say, sorry boys), a Calamity at the goal in waiting and the combination of Beer and Stevie G throwing endless possibilities. The WAGS might just be another added incentive.
- If so, England vs Argentina must be the perfect stage for Messi to show his brilliance. Cue Falklands war, Maradona ’86, lot of media banter followed by a Messi show.Taking the ball from the half-line and waltzing his way through the Terrys and the Coles and the whole England line-up in general before chipping it straight up for a volley ball style goal might just be too much to ask, but I feel we are promised one show or another in this.
- USA(I liken them to Fulham of the WC) needs to go as long as they can. More than being a hated team like England, them being a hated nation is a valuable asset and those among you who were denied visas can ask them to stick it up when they eventually bow out.
- Spain vs Brazil is another match of the tournament contender. Two great footballing giants, promising a very attacking game is something this world cup could do more with. After ending 4-4 in extra time, this game can go on like a Isner-Mahut match in penalties (I apologize)
- Brazil-Argies final. Two coaches who were remonstrated much for wrongful squad selection coming all the way against the odds is bleddy heroic. And this has never happened in the history I guess. Some red cards, some bare-knuckle boxing, but even the most controversy loving nature of mine would want to avoid the consequences of Argentina winning it.
