This year's World Cup football has been the most attractive and entertaining ever. Not so much because people want to see goals which have been scored aplenty but also because the gap between the teams has narrowed down and many of the matches involving the footballing superpowers and until recently thought to be minnows were highly competitive. The rise of Costa Rica, Chile and Algeria on the big stage is a most positive development for world football. The way Costa Rica emerged group leader and Chile fought to the last for glory makes one optimistic that in the near future the established teams alone will not vie for the championship. Algeria also have made it quite clear that they are fast initiating themselves with the best brand of football. Had these teams carried the legacy of a strong football tradition, one or two of them would have earned a place in the semi-finals. But at the last moment they faltered.
Whether this has been good or bad for football only time will tell. But let us see what has happened at the semi-final stage. The first semi-final between host Brazil and Germany has been a disaster. It was one of the worst humiliations any great football power has ever suffered at this stage in the history of the World Cup. A 7-1 drubbing for the Brazilians will ever remain as an eye-sore not only for the host nation but also for any World Cup ever held. The goal festivals the Germans celebrated made them tired of adding more or else the margin would have been more emphatic. And mind it, this has happened to a team that has to its credit five championships, was a pre-tournament favourite and still savours the win over Spain in the Confederation Cup!
While this has been an elegy on the demise of Brazil, the other semi-final was an exhibition of football contrary to the game that hardly won many hearts. Cautious and tactical not to leave any space for the creative players like Messi and Robben, the contest grew more defensive than offensive. Both teams were engaged in spoiling the other's games and moves. Only a few sorties proved that the two sides have strikers as well. No, this was football with the mantra of winning at any cost, no matter if it was the beautiful game sans beauty. Thank God, no player became a casualty in the way Neymar did. Although it was a close call for Mascherano who fought bravely to bottle up Robben and made the 'save' of the match. Indeed, to many he was the man of the match on the day. He marshalled the team from midfield and defended well when it was so crucial.
By all reckoning though, the Argentines created the best opportunities for scoring at least on two occasions. The lesson though is that the match was fiercely contested. La Albiceleste were determined not to suffer the heartbreak like the host team and they were on even terms when it concerned for them to be physical like their superior opponents on this count. Yet when a match is decided by penalties, there is every reason to feel for the losing side. In this case, the Dutch team which played three finals including the previous one in South Africa and never won the trophy will surely count themselves even more unlucky. But a game of football is like this. It seems to be partial at times favouring only a privileged few.
The two finalists have won championships in the past. Can Argentina make it three win or the Germans go one better? Not many will be found optimistic to bet in favour of the Latinos after what the Germans did to Brazil. But it would be foolish to write of Messi's men because the way they tackled the Dutch as a team has truly shown their character. The long-awaited European conquer of Latin America may still remain illusive then.
The most attractive World Cup loses some of its shine
Nilratan Halder | Published: July 12, 2014 00:00:00 | Updated: November 30, 2024 06:01:00
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