Jun 23, 2006 02:15 PM
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(Updated Jun 23, 2006 02:19 PM)
THE BIG SHOW
It had been a few days since the World Cup fever reached its maximum limits, as I get about ten messages a day, saying support Argentina, support Brazil, Espanol and all, but supporting a team just seems to be some kind of necessity these days. I know many people who don't watch football and know nothing about it, but they still say "I support.", well it seems more like a matter of pride now, to support a team and wait for its victory and enjoy! Well, even if the team loses, we got lots of more teams to support, as even the second round consists of sixteen teams. This is no surprise for me, because this may be the biggest sporting event on Earth!
Now, the first stages of knock out is almost ready. We only need to know the results of two more groups, which consists of a confient Spain which has already booked its entry to the next round, and also a coughing France, which may face the Spaniards if they can do well enough today. We already got some big names, ready for the next round. But the big names are not what it matters in the game of football, clearly evident from the situation which the Czech Republic had to face.
THE FEAKY FOOTBALL
Football has always been a different game. Two years ago, we saw Greece, who had never won even a single match in their previous appearances in any finals tournament, winning the Euro Cup. Here, we have no clue about them, but we got the teams like Australia, Ghana and Equador making an impact in the game.
The Aussies were very impressive in their very first match, and the rain of goals which started from the 84th minute and ended with the end of the match, shows how different a team this one is. They already have a true professional cricket team which top the ratings, and I had a feeling that England was the only nation which could do good in both games, but the Kangaroos are certainly here to make a big difference! But, they still seemed to have a problem in finishing, especially against Brazil. The Aussies seemed all fired up in the match and they could have easily done a massacre then! But they just couldn't find the net, but they could do that against Croatia and the team was through, but they will jump straight into the jaws of a good looking team of Italy, while Brazil will get Ghana - another example of pure unluck!
THE RAZORS EDGE
The Asian teams seemed to disappoint once again, and the former hosts Japan and Korea seemed out of touch. Even the favourites for the World Cup, Brazil and England never seemed impressive. Brazil's weaknesses were clearly seen in their match against the Aussies and any other team could have beaten the defending champions very easily. England seemed to be in a dream world through out the series, and now they are deprived of one more man, Michael Own, and I am afraid that it will be a psychological blow to the British.
This year, the advantage will certainly be with the last year's finalists, Germany. They may not be playing the last year's hero Oliver Kahn, but they have certainly got some better strikers than last year. Along with the young and highly talented team of Argentina, we also have two teams to look out for - Portugal and Spain. The Spaniards had the best start for the tournament, and they seemed to have gained lots of confidence from it. They looked far more aggressive than they used to be, with some players who are able to deliver when they need to.
BACK TO THE FUTURE
Coming back to the Brazil team, no doubt about their luck! They always have the easiest of group stages, and even this year, it was no difference. While the teams like Argentina, England and Sweeden got a tougher group just like last year, Brazil seemed to have an easy path to follow. Brazil always had the best players in their side, and the team never had any trouble in finding the hidden talent of players. But this team is certainly not playing upto their hype these days, and Ronaldo is not an exception. They looks like a highly vulnerable side this time!
Another team which I found worth mentioning was Mexico. I found their performance in the last Copa America, quite impressive, and they also started off well. Being a country which has been the centre for most of the cowboy movies, we always expected to see some of the most weird fans from there. Well, even after their loss to Portugal, they made to the next round, thanks to the result of the other match in the group. As they will be going against Argentina next, there run may still be short-lived.
So, which team will you be supporting? I would say that Argentina, Germany, Spain and Portugal got almost equal chances and the Golen boot may go to Klose or Saviola.
*Diving out.
TENY*
AND KEEP COMMENTING.
