olympics final: nigeria vs argentina...
I just watched the Olympics final between Nigeria and Argentina.
Olympic Games 2008, Beijing, Final: Nigeria vs Argentina
(Di María 57')
Nigeria: Vanzekin - Adefemi,
Apam, Adeleye, Okonkwo - Kaita, Isaac (Ekpo 70'), Ajilore - Okoronkwo (Anichebe 64'),
Obinna, Odemwingie
Argentina: Romero - Zabaleta, Pareja, Garay, Monzón - Gago, Mascherano -
Messi (Lavezzi 93'),
Riquelme,
Di María (Banega 88') - Agüero (Sosa 79')
Am I the only one who feels slightly disappointed with the outcome?
Granted, Argentina were the better team throughout the tournament. They had the more difficult path to the final. They made mincemeat out of Brazil and put them to shame. They were clever enough to use that one chance they had in the final. And di María's goal was awesome.
But still... They were pretty much on equal terms with Nigeria in the first half, which was more than entertaining to watch because neither team managed to dominate. After the goal, Nigeria played better, showed more effort and played with heart. Argentina zeroed in on the tight lead and tried to kill time on various occasions, which is just unfair. Riquelme should have been sent off the second time he tried to discuss with the linesman about the position of the ball for his free-kick. And you know that I adore Gago, but he complained every damn time the ref blew the whistle, no matter what it was about or if it even involved him, and after 5 or 6 times, it got annoying. I don't even understand why they did it. Yes, they were exhausted, that's just natural, but so was Nigeria! The Argentines are such good athletes, they should be way above such low, unsportsmanlike behaviour. I'm sure they would have been able to save the score with fair means.
This doesn't mean I'm not happy about Argentina winning the gold medal. I wanted them to win, and I think they deserved it, so I'm glad. But in any case, this final left a slightly bitter taste in my mouth.
Speaking of the Olympics, I'm rather sorry for José Sosa. I had considered the Olympics a good chance for him to gain some match practice and maybe even to recommend himself for further call-ups. In the end, his Beijing balance adds up to a little more than 90 minutes of actual play time, on the cost of a missed preseason at Bayern and quite possibly an even more difficult start than last season. He can hardly be satisfied with that. *sigh* But I shall keep hoping he'll finally make it. He's definitely got potential, he just needs to believe in his talent and be a bit more daring sometimes.
Olympic Games 2008, Beijing, Final: Nigeria vs Argentina
(Di María 57')
Nigeria: Vanzekin - Adefemi,
Apam, Adeleye, Okonkwo - Kaita, Isaac (Ekpo 70'), Ajilore - Okoronkwo (Anichebe 64'),
Obinna, Odemwingie
Argentina: Romero - Zabaleta, Pareja, Garay, Monzón - Gago, Mascherano -
Messi (Lavezzi 93'),
Riquelme,
Di María (Banega 88') - Agüero (Sosa 79')
Am I the only one who feels slightly disappointed with the outcome?
Granted, Argentina were the better team throughout the tournament. They had the more difficult path to the final. They made mincemeat out of Brazil and put them to shame. They were clever enough to use that one chance they had in the final. And di María's goal was awesome.
But still... They were pretty much on equal terms with Nigeria in the first half, which was more than entertaining to watch because neither team managed to dominate. After the goal, Nigeria played better, showed more effort and played with heart. Argentina zeroed in on the tight lead and tried to kill time on various occasions, which is just unfair. Riquelme should have been sent off the second time he tried to discuss with the linesman about the position of the ball for his free-kick. And you know that I adore Gago, but he complained every damn time the ref blew the whistle, no matter what it was about or if it even involved him, and after 5 or 6 times, it got annoying. I don't even understand why they did it. Yes, they were exhausted, that's just natural, but so was Nigeria! The Argentines are such good athletes, they should be way above such low, unsportsmanlike behaviour. I'm sure they would have been able to save the score with fair means.
This doesn't mean I'm not happy about Argentina winning the gold medal. I wanted them to win, and I think they deserved it, so I'm glad. But in any case, this final left a slightly bitter taste in my mouth.
Speaking of the Olympics, I'm rather sorry for José Sosa. I had considered the Olympics a good chance for him to gain some match practice and maybe even to recommend himself for further call-ups. In the end, his Beijing balance adds up to a little more than 90 minutes of actual play time, on the cost of a missed preseason at Bayern and quite possibly an even more difficult start than last season. He can hardly be satisfied with that. *sigh* But I shall keep hoping he'll finally make it. He's definitely got potential, he just needs to believe in his talent and be a bit more daring sometimes.