| The World Cup-Soccers Last Salvation |
By Geariod Devitt
July 19, 2010
In these days of astronomical payments to sports stars it is easy for the fans to
feel detached and question the top-earners integrity. If a pro earns 200k plus a
week (in any currency) the high life must be tempting. Some can avoid the
distractions but a lot have strived from poor upbringings and see the pay-check
as the end. The truly great stars keep on striving as glory and success is their
vice but most are happy to settle for the supercar and the MTV crib.
The FIFA World Cup has reflected both the good and bad of professional sport
in the past month. We have seen the prima-donas’ of England and France sulk
and moan and ultimately leave in disgrace. The cynicism of the Dutch led to
progression beyond their pre-tournament expectations and helped reignite
memories of former glories. However they won few friends along the way and
some pundits have gone as far to say they have sullied their nation’s proud
footballing tradition.
In contrast, the honest and hard-working sides such as Paraguay, U.S.A.,
Ghana and Japan lit up the shock-laden early stages of the tournament. All of
these teams put side before self and fulfilled their potential as a result. Who
would have thought at the outset that New Zealand would leave South Africa as
the only unbeaten team?
Although now heavily commercialised and as the vuvuzelas quieten, somewhat
exploitative of the host nation, the competition is still sport in its purest form.
FIFA has more members then the U.N. and through a two year qualifying series
we are left with 32 countries from all corners of the globe. Soccer is the only truly
global sport and this is it’s showpiece.
The short group stage format gives the underdog every chance to qualify as
opposed to the almost inevitability of the big powers coming to the fore in the
season-long leagues.. Players from lesser known countries get to strut their stuff
to a world-wide audience. ‘Released’ from their club contracts for one month,
this gathering gives them the chance to become national icons. Success brings
jubilant scenes to the capitals’ streets in a mass social outpouring which is
almost certainly unrivalled in modern society. Whereas money talks and
ultimately rules in the club competitions, honour and pride are all there is at
stake, and these precious rewards give the fans certainty that the majority of
players will give it their all in a nigh-on overdose of action.
As the tourists and corporations depart many will argue this has been far from a
vintage tournament. The increasing popularity of defensively minded formations
and the difficult Jabulani ball contributed to some poor games. However in
terms of drama and shocks this renewal has been action packed. As a
refreshing return to the traditional values of football in comparison with the
despicable excesses of the club game, the World Cup has triumphed all over
again.
5 players who rose to prominence in South Africa:
Tomas Mueller (Bayern Munich & Germany)
A remarkable and truly inspirational story for those us who still harbour
ambitions of making a meteoric rise to the top, it is less than a year since Muller
was struggling in Bayern’s reserve side. Never in his wildest dreams could he
have then imagined himself collecting the Golden Boot award this July, but after
a fine season for the Champions league runners-up, he has become an integral
part of the three pronged German attack and was keenly missed when
suspended for the semi-final defeat to Spain.
Mesut Ozil (Werder Bremen & Germany)
Playing the pivotal role of linking the two strands of the German side, Ozil was a
revelation in the early stages and is now one of the hottest properties in Europe.
His forwarded runs caused defenders untold problems, contributing with a
number of goals and assists..
Luis Suarez (Ajax & Uruguay)
The pre-tournament hyped strking partner of Deigo Forlan played a big “hand” in
brining Uruguay to the semi-finals. Goal line clearances aside, Suarez was also
the match winner against Korea with one of the stikes of the tournament and his
partnership with Forlan was the key reason Uruguay progressed to their best
tournament placing since 1970.
Fabio Coentrao (Benfica & Portugal)
Although Portugal exited the tournament in the last 16, the Portugese left-back
made a big impression. Voted Portugese League Breakthrough Player of the
Year for his club performances prior to the tournament, Coentrao continued his
rich vein of form in South Africa and is now linked with a host of the top
European clubs. Although starting his career as a winger he has now found a
place in defence for club and country where he can still use his attacking
abilities on the overlap to devastating effect.
Asamoah Gyan (Rennes & Ghana)
Gyan led the line for Ghana single-handedly but still managed to cause big
problems for opposition defences. His strength and pace gave the Black Stars
a great outlet when under pressure and he showed great intelligence to bring
team mates such as Boateng & Adiyah into play. Although he will suffer the
infamy of missing the last minute penalty against Uruguay(which would have
sent an African team into the semi-finals for the first time), he showed great
character to bang in the first kick of the shootout moments later.
And Finally……..
The U.S. team at this World Cup represented their country with distinction and
can hold their heads high after some great team performances. The same
cannot be said for the The New York Post sub-editors whose ‘ironic’ headlines
played up to the European held stereotype of the game in the States and led to
much ridicule on this side of the Atlantic. The players deserved better than “U.S.
A. Wins 1-1” and “It’s a Stupid Sport Anyway”.
July 19, 2010
In these days of astronomical payments to sports stars it is easy for the fans to
feel detached and question the top-earners integrity. If a pro earns 200k plus a
week (in any currency) the high life must be tempting. Some can avoid the
distractions but a lot have strived from poor upbringings and see the pay-check
as the end. The truly great stars keep on striving as glory and success is their
vice but most are happy to settle for the supercar and the MTV crib.
The FIFA World Cup has reflected both the good and bad of professional sport
in the past month. We have seen the prima-donas’ of England and France sulk
and moan and ultimately leave in disgrace. The cynicism of the Dutch led to
progression beyond their pre-tournament expectations and helped reignite
memories of former glories. However they won few friends along the way and
some pundits have gone as far to say they have sullied their nation’s proud
footballing tradition.
In contrast, the honest and hard-working sides such as Paraguay, U.S.A.,
Ghana and Japan lit up the shock-laden early stages of the tournament. All of
these teams put side before self and fulfilled their potential as a result. Who
would have thought at the outset that New Zealand would leave South Africa as
the only unbeaten team?
Although now heavily commercialised and as the vuvuzelas quieten, somewhat
exploitative of the host nation, the competition is still sport in its purest form.
FIFA has more members then the U.N. and through a two year qualifying series
we are left with 32 countries from all corners of the globe. Soccer is the only truly
global sport and this is it’s showpiece.
The short group stage format gives the underdog every chance to qualify as
opposed to the almost inevitability of the big powers coming to the fore in the
season-long leagues.. Players from lesser known countries get to strut their stuff
to a world-wide audience. ‘Released’ from their club contracts for one month,
this gathering gives them the chance to become national icons. Success brings
jubilant scenes to the capitals’ streets in a mass social outpouring which is
almost certainly unrivalled in modern society. Whereas money talks and
ultimately rules in the club competitions, honour and pride are all there is at
stake, and these precious rewards give the fans certainty that the majority of
players will give it their all in a nigh-on overdose of action.
As the tourists and corporations depart many will argue this has been far from a
vintage tournament. The increasing popularity of defensively minded formations
and the difficult Jabulani ball contributed to some poor games. However in
terms of drama and shocks this renewal has been action packed. As a
refreshing return to the traditional values of football in comparison with the
despicable excesses of the club game, the World Cup has triumphed all over
again.
5 players who rose to prominence in South Africa:
Tomas Mueller (Bayern Munich & Germany)
A remarkable and truly inspirational story for those us who still harbour
ambitions of making a meteoric rise to the top, it is less than a year since Muller
was struggling in Bayern’s reserve side. Never in his wildest dreams could he
have then imagined himself collecting the Golden Boot award this July, but after
a fine season for the Champions league runners-up, he has become an integral
part of the three pronged German attack and was keenly missed when
suspended for the semi-final defeat to Spain.
Mesut Ozil (Werder Bremen & Germany)
Playing the pivotal role of linking the two strands of the German side, Ozil was a
revelation in the early stages and is now one of the hottest properties in Europe.
His forwarded runs caused defenders untold problems, contributing with a
number of goals and assists..
Luis Suarez (Ajax & Uruguay)
The pre-tournament hyped strking partner of Deigo Forlan played a big “hand” in
brining Uruguay to the semi-finals. Goal line clearances aside, Suarez was also
the match winner against Korea with one of the stikes of the tournament and his
partnership with Forlan was the key reason Uruguay progressed to their best
tournament placing since 1970.
Fabio Coentrao (Benfica & Portugal)
Although Portugal exited the tournament in the last 16, the Portugese left-back
made a big impression. Voted Portugese League Breakthrough Player of the
Year for his club performances prior to the tournament, Coentrao continued his
rich vein of form in South Africa and is now linked with a host of the top
European clubs. Although starting his career as a winger he has now found a
place in defence for club and country where he can still use his attacking
abilities on the overlap to devastating effect.
Asamoah Gyan (Rennes & Ghana)
Gyan led the line for Ghana single-handedly but still managed to cause big
problems for opposition defences. His strength and pace gave the Black Stars
a great outlet when under pressure and he showed great intelligence to bring
team mates such as Boateng & Adiyah into play. Although he will suffer the
infamy of missing the last minute penalty against Uruguay(which would have
sent an African team into the semi-finals for the first time), he showed great
character to bang in the first kick of the shootout moments later.
And Finally……..
The U.S. team at this World Cup represented their country with distinction and
can hold their heads high after some great team performances. The same
cannot be said for the The New York Post sub-editors whose ‘ironic’ headlines
played up to the European held stereotype of the game in the States and led to
much ridicule on this side of the Atlantic. The players deserved better than “U.S.
A. Wins 1-1” and “It’s a Stupid Sport Anyway”.
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