World Cup ワールドカップ Germany 2006
今日のブログね、俺は英語で書くつもりです。なぜか？今日のブログは、ワールドカップに関して、書きます。もし日本語で書くと、難しそうですね。以下のエントリーは俺の意見です。皆は意見があればコメントで教えてくださいね。
World Cup 2006 has finally arrived. If you would ask me, this is the World Cup which will see the careers of few of the most famous soccer players of the 20th century come to an end. For me, I not only enjoy watching soccer, but I enjoy betting on it as well. Betting simply adds spices or rather more excitement factorｓ to watching soccer. Well World Cup 2002 has been one of the worst for me. Not only had I lost heavily in bets, my favourite teams crashed out early as well. But nonetheless, 2006 is a new beginning. New faces and legends to be born to take over the fading ones, most notably Zinedine Zidane.
1st matches of the group stages have all been completed. If you would ask me, I would say 80% of the favourites who were touted to win, won. The most obvious letdowns were France. But France has always known to be slow starters. Judging from the 1st round matches. Most of the goals have come from the midfield engine of every team. Well prior to the build up to Germany 2006, the focus of news and presses from around the world are mostly on Midfielders. In the past where Rossi, Pele, Baggio dominated the headlines, now it is the likes of players like Steven Gerrard, Michael Ballack, Frank Lampard, Pavel Nedved, Juan Roman Riquelme, Lionel Messi who does it. Why so? Maybe soccer has evolved. Nowadays if you observe carefully, Midfielders like Cahill, Kaka, Gerrard or Lampard do not have the wonderful and silky skills of Zidane or Pele but they have that extra stamina and never die spirit in them. Bursting from the midfield and taking up scoring position as well as spectacular long shots have been the most notable trademarks of these midfielders. Kaka doesn't dribble as much as Ronaldinho but he is effective with his range of passing, shooting and his ability to take up or burst into good position to score. Indeed I conclude Germany 2006 is the stage for midfielders to ascend to that legend status in soccer.
Now for the teams that I support. I am not a typical Singaporean supporting England due to the overdose of English Premier League matches shown on our cable TV. I don't like Brazil as well. I don't like samba soccer, I like tactical well organized European style of soccer. I like Japan, Australia, Spain, Italy, Czech Republic and Argentina. I am gonna give my opinions of each of these teams which I support.
Japan: Coming out from a good performance in Korea/Japan 2002, this team is UNLIKELY to give a better performance this time round. Why? Simply because of Zico. Bad coach with bad tactical awareness. He didn't really impress me with his tactics during the recent Confederation Cup last year. To me, he is very much like Sven Goran Erikksson. No alternative plan, too defensive. And Japan's problem is not her midfield. Japan is an asian country. Asians have smaller physical build as compared to the other continents. This is one aspect which Japan loses out. However this deficiency can be made up with skill and vision, which are shown in Shunsuke Nakamura or Hidetoshi Nakata of the old. Nakata hasn't been his old self as of late. Lack of first team matches maybe. Nakata himself isn't on a good social term with most of the Japanese team too. Japan's problem will be her toothless strikers. Their forwards take 1 too many passes to create instead of just simply taking their chances.
Australia: Hmm why Australia? Every press writes them off. Well I support Australia coz Australia is my 2nd home! Shout out to my Aussie mates back in Melbourne! Well Guus Hiddink is a factor as well. To me, He is the most consistent coach for soccer. He brought Holland with Bergkamp in it to Quarterfinals in 1994, South Korea to 4th place in 2002, PSV Eindhoven to semi finals of of UEFA Champion's League 2 seasons ago. From his resume, we can't really discredit him. He might just be the Guru to provide that miracle for Australia. Hiddink has been one of the most cultured European Soccer Tactical Master ever to be seen. It is England's misfortune not to appoint him to be the next England coach. And of coz Australia has my favourite player Harry Kewell. Of late he has been on form, and been hardworking. I hope his form stays. I am a Liverpool supporter which explains how much I hate Everton, but I do give my respect to Tim Cahill who plays for Everton. To me he is like the Steven Gerrard of Australia. Good shot, Good positioning, Good determination. His eyes burns with fire of determination to win for Australia. He single handedly lifted Australia out of a match which Australia is destined to lose (Aus vs Jpn). Quarter finals will be a good result for Australia. Coming match for Australia vs Brazil, quoted off Cahill "It will be 11 ordinary Aussies vs 11 superstars" but David had slained Goliath before. So can the Socceroos. Sometimes luck favours the lesser team. With luck and determination and of course a good tactical coach, anything is possible for Australia. Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi!
Italy: Most people (Singaporeans especially) brand Italian soccer to be boring. As of late, Italian soccer has also gotten into the wrong side of the news (match fixing etc). But nonetheless, the Azzuris ever since Franco Baresi, has had the best defence in World Soccer. Alessandro Nesta maybe in his 30s but he is still one of the best ever seen. Fabio Cannavaro is an agressive defender who times his tackles accurately. At 32 he hasn't lost much of his pace as well. He is a good captain who can fire up his team because of his determination. Marcello Lippi's resume is quite decorated too. Lippi is known to be a shrewd and wise coach. Should Francesco Totti keeps his head cool and play soccer; I would say Italy has a very high chance to win the Cup. Bear in mind that Italy has appeared in finals once ever 12 years since 1970. In 1970, they were 2nd place, in 1982, they were winners, in 1994 they were 2nd place. In 2006, Champions maybe? Their midfield is just as awesome. Andreas Pirlo, Gennaro Gattuso complements one another so well. And the bench of Italy are just as capable to take up the responsibility should any of their first team fall short or get injured. In 2002, Italy didn't start their group matches well. 1st game of the world cup is VERY important because it can take away your team's confidence or give your team a platform to build that confidence. Italy started well against Ghana, their 1st match. 2-0 final score, and Michael Essien touted to be last season's best midfielder in Europe Champion's League was hardly visible in the match. This just shows how awesome Italian soccer team is at the moment. Watch out for young rising star Daniel De Rossi of Roma who starts in Italy's midfield as well.
Spain: Perennial under achievers is what everyone calls them. Yes they are, because of their dismay showings in every major tournament. But this year, the story might be different. Sevilla FC is the UEFA cup winners. Barcelona FC is the UEFA Champion League's Winners. Both are Spainish Clubs. Now I dare say the World Cup is not an impossible target for this talented squad. Key players for Spain have their forms peaked at the right time too. David Villa who has 25 goals in Primera Liga this season. Fernando Torres though erratic at club level, but of late he has been delivering the goods for Spain in international matches. Cesc Fabregas. What can you say about this young kid. 18 year old, was deemed to become a failure to take over Patrick Vieira's shoes in Arsenal FC's squad. But he proved the otherwise. He took that defensive slot with stride and made it his own. He has way more qualities than Vieira himself. Why? Because Cesc can pass better and have better vision than Vieira. Cesc is more than just a defensive midfielder. He can just be that trump card to play alongside the favoured Xavi Hernandez in the Spainish squad. And of course Spain has the all reliable Carlos Puyol in defence. The Baresi for Spain. Not forgetting their bench players which boasts names like Jose Antonio Reyes, David Albeda who are just as talented as the starters for the Spainish team. Last but not least, Joaquim Sanchez the wizard of Spainish soccer. One of the most sought after players in Europe. If he plays well on the right flank for Spain, he can be a difficult opponent to stop. World Cup can be a realistic target for Spain.
Czech Republic: Next are the Czechs. Their first ever World Cup in the history book for Czech Republic. They have the oldest squad in World Cup 2006. Old age can be a disadvantage but aged players like Nedved who still burns with fire and determination will be a different story. Nedved is 33 this year. Zidane is 34. Same age group, but Nedved seems to get better with age. His stamina hasn't diminished at all. Zidane still has that vision but has neither pace nor stamina. Czech's midfield is simply awesome. Tomas Rosicky, 25 years old, the baby of this midfield destroyed USA singlehandedly with 2 goals. His passing and vision are simply too good. Tomas Galasek may not be a superstar and is an old guard but nonetheless he sits back and protects his defence efficiently, giving Nedved and Rosicky the licence to attack to their heart's content. With such a creative and attacking minded midfield, Czech's ordinary strike force of Milan Baros and Jan Koller are made EXTRAordinary. They are never starved of any chance to score. Andrii Shevchenko must be asking why isn't Ukraine's midfield like that of Czech Republic's. LOL. Czech's defence isn't that bad looking as well. Marek Jankulovski and Tomas Ujfalusi are plying their trade in Italian Serie A with AC Milan and Fiorentina respectively. For defenders to thrive well in Italian League isn't an easy job. So I believe these 2 players do have their credentials as well.
Argentina: I have been supporting this team since the days of Maradona. Juan Roman Riquelme, Pablo Aimar, Lionel Messi, Javier Saviola, Esteban Cambiasso, Javier Mascherano, are the players I like. I always buy these players whenever I play Championship Manager (A PC Soccer Management Game). I believe they are the team with the highest chance to topple Brazil. They have their South American style but plays with European Tactical Intelligence. The only let down was Javier Zanetti not being included in the final squad. I shan't comment about this team much but I do watch most of their players in Spainish Leagues and Italian Leagues. Villarreal has had a fantastic season this year. Sorin and Riquelme both played their part in getting Villarreal to their first Champion's League this season which saw them crash out to Arsenal FC. Inter Milan has also had a fairly good season with players like Cambiasso chipping in his efforts. Valencia and Barcelona, 2nd in Primera Liga and Champion League winners respectively have their Argentinian continent contributing to their club's cause (Messi, Aimar). With Argentina having their players peaking in form at the right time, it is only right for me to place my opinion on them being a potential World Cup Champion candidate. Enough said.
As I am a Singaporean, my English isn't wonderful. There are bound to be errors in the above entry. Feel free to drop me feedback on comments.
Pavel Nedved of Czech Republic Shunsuke Nakamura of Japan
Juan Roman Riquelme of Argentina Tim Cahill of Australia
Steven Gerrard of England Tomas Rosicky of Czech Republic
Lionel Messi of Argentina Andreas Pirlo of Italy
I had a wonderful dinner tonight with Debbie and am glad that she likes the birthday present I gave her. Time to sleep. Next entry will be in Japanese again.
Cya Folks.........