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Thursday, July 10, 2014

Oktoberfest in Brazil

FIFA 2014 World Cup
Christ the redeemer
At the moment the most hated nation for Brazilians is undoubtedly Germany. What a match!! The German blitzkrieg simply decimated the sambas on their own turf. The score line of 7-1 is incredulous and perplexing as well, and looks like the Germans were up against minnows who have just learnt the ropes of the game. The total annihilation of the Brazilians has to be the lowest point in their football history is what I feel. What went wrong? Was Neymar missed so much? Did they underestimate the Germans? There are so many question raised because of this shocking defeat. Luis Felipe Scolari in his wildest dream would have not thought of such a rout, such an insult. It was a nightmare he would like to forget as soon as possible. The Samba team would also say + 1. I am a great fan of the German team and had predicted their march ahead; and my prophesies have come good so far. They are a very strong team well led by Joachim Lowe.

FIFA WC 2014 - Germany rout Brazil
Germany revel in Brazil


The revelations made by the German players after the match of not insulting the Brazil team by scoring more goals was a thoughtful gesture and also showed the despondency of the Samba players. In spite of the modest approach taken by the Germans, they scored two more goals in the second half, rubbing salt on the wounds of the hapless hosts. Being knocked out of the world cup, which they wanted so desperately only added to the turmoil the country is going through. A win would have assuaged their pain to a great extent, but fate can be very cruel at times. With over 200 million countrymen crying at this loss can seriously create flood like crisis in Brazil. Scolari and his support staff are in the eye of the storm that is brewing, and Brazilians want their head immediately. To add to their woes they have to play Netherlands who lost to Argentina for the third spot. Is this match really required? It is inconsequential to many and especially to the Brazilians. Another loss would be the final nail in their coffin. This match for them is like performing a humorous act while they are bereaved, but they have no option but to put on a brave face and fight with vengeance and try to redeem themselves.
 
FIFA 2014 WC - Brazil Vs Netherlands for 3rd Spot
3rd spot playoff

With confidence sky high, the Germans are sensing a victory in the final over Argentina, though they should be wary of the South American team which is laden with demi gods and Angels namely the Talisman Lionel Messi, Angel Di Maria, Lavezzi, Mascherano, Higuain and the super hero their savior Sergio Romero. These are some names which are capable of inducing fear in the opposition. Germans are well aware of their opponents and smart enough to plan for their downfall. They will have to come up with a master stroke to get past the Argentinians. Going by their performances they are the strong favorites to win the trophy and they have already started celebrating at the Berlin gate and all over. It’s just a matter of time and we would know who lifts the coveted trophy, a pride possession to lay hands on.

The Orange turns pale
   
In the other semi-final the Argentinians overcame the Dutch resistance for a place in the final. The Dutch, who were strong favorites to win the cup were undone by some acrobatic, pumped up Sergio Romero who denied them two opportunities in the penalty shootout. The unlucky ones who couldn’t get pass through him were, the reliable Wesley Sneijder and Ron Vlaar. They felt they deserved to win having played some superlative football throughout, but they should know “Man Proposes God Disposes”. To conclude, it was not their day. It was a match between two formidable teams and they played like one, though at times, strategy to over rely on containing top players from the opposition, mars the aggressive traits in them which are a must in such matches. Both the teams were culprits in this act which resulted in no scores even in the extra time. Penalty shootout is a gamble and can turn the tides against the best teams in business. It is the time when thoughts play havoc in one’s mind, no wonder some of the Dutch players refused to take the first kick.  Wesley Sneijder faltered and gave the much needed confidence to Romero who was like a wall stopping everything coming his way. Ron Vlaar did an encore and paved way for the South Americans to get past through them. No doubt the Dutch were sad would be an understatement. They have little time though, to get over their dejection and play the already mutilated Brazilians for the third spot. This match is like killing someone who is already dead and buried.

FIFA 2014 WC - Netherlands dream gone kaput
Dutch dreams broken
Argentinians should consider themselves lucky having seen the back of the Dutch. They now have a task cut out against the Germans who are riding on a wave of success. They would require a Hanumanian task to cross the line first. They have the ammo and resolve to crush the Germans, but will depend on how they utilize it, firing at the opposition or in dark. A lot will depend on Messi and his skills. He has to be well supported by the Marias, the Higuains, and the Mascheranos. Messi with his tired legs (His father says so) cannot pull off a victory all alone. We have a match on our hands and like many I am going to turn nocturnal to watch this match. Germany or Argentina who will have the last laugh, What you think guys?
 
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Friday, July 4, 2014

Au Revoir Les Bleus

Christ the redeemer
What more the fans worldwide would ask for, a quarterfinal match between two formidable West European nations, Germany versus France. A clash between the titans you can call it. I was super excited and thought it would be a cracker of a match, but it turned out to be everything but a nail biter. Looking at their past performances in this world cup it was pedestrian I would say. Nevertheless Germany had the last laugh and they beat the French by a solitary goal, thanks to Mats Hummel. The French never looked menacing except for some time in the second half, when Karim Benzema was lurking dangerously near the German goal post. German Goalie Manuel Neur thwarted all the French attempts and helped Germany sail through.

France loses the fight againts Germans
Germany beats France
Going by the stars German team had, they had an upper hand over the French and were the favorites to win the encounter, which they did. French team might have missed the services of their veteran striker Franck Ribbery, but at this stage if’s and but’s have no meaning. The French team is laden with newbies as compared to the German’s who have veterans like Podolski, Klose, Khedira, Lahm, Schweinsteiger etc. This gives them an edge over their opponents. French coach Didier Deschamps lauded the French team and the way they played. He did admit the German’s were too hot to handle. The French will now have to wait for another 4 years to make an attempt to grab the coveted trophy. On the other hand the German’s are inching forward though not convincingly. Their next match is against the hosts Brazil. German’s will have to play out of their skin to get pass through them. This would be a tough test for the European nation, with nearly a billion people rooting for Brazil. For Brazil this match would be more than just wining, for they would inch towards the title, which they want to dedicate it to their country, which is going through a rough patch. With Neymar Jr out of the world cup due to injury, is a tough blow to their prospects, but they will have to forget all the adversaries and play like champions to realize their dream.

Brazil defeated Columbia by a one goal margin. This ended the dream run of the Colombians who played like Champions throughout. No one expected them to reach so far, but they surprised one and all. Their star was undoubtedly James Rodriguez, with his boyish charm, he looks more like a hero of a romantic movie rather than a tough footballer. He was inconsolable after the loss and that was obvious, nevertheless they bowed out of this world cup with heads high and winning a lot of hearts and fans worldwide with their style of football. The Brazilians are through to the semi-final but at the expense of their star Neymar Jr who broke his back and is out of this competition. He would be badly missed is what many say. More than the skills, what is working for the Brazilians is the well wishes of the fans worldwide who want them to win, this would assuage to a great extent the pain the turmoil the country is going through. Let’s wish Neymar a speedy recovery. 

Neymar to miss WC due to injury
Neymar Get Well Soon
Messi, Messi and Messi, he is everywhere. This diminutive powerhouse is a talisman for the Argentinian team, and he leads from the front. Whenever he is in control of the ball, something extraordinary happens and is a treat to watch. I would go ahead and say his legs are magnetic and the ball simply does not wish to go away. This was also said of the great wizard of Indian hockey, Major Dhyanchand, his dribbling skills were such that the ball rarely left the hockey stick. Taking a cue from Messi are his team mates, Angel di Maria and Gonzalo Higuin. They complement him beautifully and have proven to be a headache for the opponents. The other day Di Maria named Angel rescued the team and took them through against the Swiss. Gonzalo Higuin living up-to his reputation scored against the French and bid them Adieu. They all are peaking at the right time and this is good news for the South Americans. This would relieve Messi of some of the responsibilities and the expectations. They are in semis and business end of the competition, any mistake or lethargy can prove costly for them and would send them home empty handed. Watch out Messi and Co.
Argentina stars want the cup
Argentina the hot favorites
The Dutch are on a roll, they got through the resurgent Costa Ricans but only in the penalties. The tiny South American nation stretched the mighty Dutch beyond the extra time to loose in the penalty shootout. This world cup has brought to the fore the emergence of teams from Chile, Columbia, Costa Rica, Iran etc. They were considered minnows but they proved to be a thorn in the flesh of their opponents. The Dutch are really looking like a team who want the cup at any cost. The players are delivering when it really matters. Sneijder, Robben, Depay, Huntelaar, RVP is a deadly combination and a severe threat. Going by their performances in this world cup, they stand the best chance to raise the trophy. Time will tell who lay hands on the coveted trophy. Keep Watching.


Dutch are on a roll
Dutch to win the WC?

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Tuesday, June 24, 2014

Cristiano Ronaldo: A Superstar In Wrong Team?

Christ the Redeemer
World’s greatest footballer that day was reduced to a despondent, depressed, hapless, spectator. The Germans handed over to them a 4-0 drubbing. During the match Cristiano Ronaldo was rendered ineffective by the Germans, and also thanks to Pepe for showing his true colors again when he head butted Thomas Mueller to be shown red card. The final score line of 0-4 against the Portuguese was hard to believe, for they started magnificently, attacking the German goal post repeatedly but without success. The course of the game changed when Germans were handed a penalty for obstructing Mario Goetz wrongfully in the Portuguese D region. Thomas Muller the architect of the win took full advantage and scored the first goal for Germany. He went on to score 2 more goals to complete a hat-trick. If that was not enough, the problem child of the Portuguese team, Pepe head butted Thomas Mueller and was sent off, reducing the Portuguese team to 10 players, which I think costed them dearly.

Brazil WC - Pepe gets red card
Pepe sees red

Portuguese star player and the world’s greatest footballer Cristiano Ronaldo was absolutely nowhere to be seen, when his other counterparts in Nani, Pepe hogged the lime light though not for all good reasons. Ronaldo hardly got any chance to showcase his skills for he rarely got hold of the ball, and when he got, he faltered. The Germans took full advantage of his no show and attacked the depleted Portuguese line up repeatedly earning 4 goals. Ronaldo looking lost, gasping for breath made a very sorry picture; couldn’t believe if he was the same flamboyant, versatile Ronaldo the world knows. To add to his and teams woes was a serious injury to Hugo Almeda and Fabio Coentrao. My prophesies came good for this match and had predicted a win for the Germans. I might be bias here for they are one of my favorite team. Since the days of Carl Heinz Rummunige, Juergen Klinsmann, Rudi Vohler, Lothar Matthias I have been their fan, and love their kind of aggressive European football. For me they stand a good chance to win this world cup. To their advantage, they still have strikers like Klose, Podolski, Shweinstigger who are yet to play. Their line up look formidable and ominous for the opponents. If they play well as a team, there would be no one to stop them except god and fate.

The Portuguese with this loss are down but not out I think, and they would make a telling comeback. They have a task cut out for them and if they have to succeed a maverick known as Cristiano Ronaldo has to click and come good, apt support from his team mates would also matter big time. There are even murmurs of he not fully fit and his knee is still a worry. Hope that’s not the case and he play’s. It’s always a joy to watch him; those aggressive run ups, dribbling past many a players his football skills is a treat for the fans; that makes him one of the most sought after player in international football.

There are many instances when the teams laden with superstars, talented players fail to justify their talent and look pedestrian in the match. Either they suffer injuries, or fail to hit the target in spite of repeated attempts or luck eludes them. I would simply sum it saying “One bad day at the office”. I think Ronaldo and the team had one bad day at the office and they need not worry, for form may be short-lived but class is everlasting. They will bounce back.

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