The World Cup is back. This is the 7th World Cup I will be watching on the TV. I had posted before how the World Cup of 1986 changed the football appreciation standards on the crazy Kozhikkode fan. You can read that post here.
This World Cup is different for me in a way. I am an ardent fan of Brazil, like half the football fans across the world. It may have to do with the flair and breathtaking beauty of Brazilian football. Their control of the ball in the midfield, their wonderful short passing game and their ability to create goal scoring opportunities from out of nothing is breathtaking. Add to this their genius in dead ball situations and you have to be less than human not to tip them as favourites.
But this time, it is different. I am not taken in by the solid team that Dunga has chosen. Over the past decade and a half, Brazil football has slowly lost its Latin American flair, to be replaced by the European efficiency. Dunga, the World Cup winning captain of 1994 and the current Coach, has packed his mid field with defensive midfielders and there is a lack of flair up front. Defensively Brazil is very strong, and for once they have a world class goal keeper in Julio Cesar. Luciao and Maicon at the back are the best in the business. The saving grace for the traditional Brazil fans are the creative Kaka, brilliant Robinho and the clever Danny Alvez. But I dont see Brazil progressing beyond the Semi Final, though they come into this world cup with a tremendous unbeaten run in the qualifying, Copa America, Confedrations cup and warm up games.
The hot favourite is Spain. The perennial under achievers and chokers are brimming with confidence. They have tremendous talent in the mid field and in the front. Iniesta and Xavi are the best mid fielders in this World Cup by a couple of miles at least. Their control in the midfield is similar to what Brazil was those years back. Brilliant is an understatement. And in Torres and Villa, they have two brilliant strikers. But they have never been beyond quarter finals, and just do not have the pedigree to win the World Cup. Only 7 Countries have won the coveted trophy in its entire history - Brazil, Italy, Germany, France, Argentina, Uruguay, England.
Another team who are my favourites are Holland, brilliant but erratic. Arjen Robbens injury is a big blow to them. There are'nt very many genuine wingers left in the game today. For the sake of using the width of the football field, I hope Robben will be fit. Robin Van Persie will also be hoping for Robben to provide his with those pinpoint crosses from the right touchline.
Then there is always the hugely talented Argentina, coached by that maverick genius Diego Maradonna, perhaps the greatest football player world has seen, with due respect to Pele. I have not seen Pele, but have seen Maradona in his prime. I am yet to see a more creative genius of a footballer than Maradonna. Having said that he has been a disaster as a Coach and has not brought out the best of his wonderful team, especially Lionel Messi. They scraped through their qualifying zone and has not bonded as a team yet.
Despite all the hype by the British journalist, England is an average team and lacks the class to win the World Cup. Italy is ageing and France is in disarray. The African teams will play attractive football, but are not likely to reach the Semi Finals.
And then there is the team which jars my sensitive Pisces sensibilities. Never ever discount them in any World Cup. They play unattactive, physical but efficient football. And they are always there at the business end of the Tournament - Germany.
Something tells me we will be seeing a different World Cup winner this time around.
But dont be surprised if the final sees Brazil and Germany facing each other.
