The Faltering Three

The Azzuri have certainly not being Knaan's “Waving Flag” and if they have they are yet to take any inspiration from it. In a reverse to the lyrics framed by Knaan they have grown OLDER but failed to grow STRONGER. 2 boring draws and 3 goal spanking by newcomers Slovenia have unceremoniously dumped the World Champions out of this years tournament.

Les Blues however have a different story to tell, their players were set on a mission which if they did choose to accept was to infiltrate into the national team and force it to dump itself out of the championship. Well led by Anelka and his Domanech the mission was achieved in such supreme skill that it would have Tom Cruise blushing. Les Bleus were trounced by Uruguay and South Africa, and plunged into a national crisis that required presidential intervention by their own implosion.

England were on a similar trail before Defoe bailed them out only to face their nemesis Germany and by the looks of current English squad the Germans are gonna parade all over them.

What seriously is wrong with these sides, England's failure in the top tournaments has always been a question but then what about France and Italy. True the French are without Zidane or any of the midfield quartet of Viera, Makalele, Thuram who won them the World Cup and the European Championship but then they still have class players such as Ribery, Gallas, Henry, Goercuff, Evra. These names might not be as great as the ones mentioned before but then you cant expect them to get outplayed but Mexico and South Africa. Throughout the time spent in this years Championships France appeared hamstrung first and foremost by a bureaucracy unable to effectively harness the abundance of resources at its disposal. But then all teams face the worry of not gelling well, France however haven't gelled since the last European Championships.

For Italy too its been a downward spiral since the last World Cup, as they were knocked out of the European Championships quite early. Italy has always relied on a watertight defense which would look to soak up all pressure allowing sole strikers such as Del Piero or Totti to roam free and try and score out of the chances created by Pirlo. Cannavaro who was excellent last year letting in just 2 goals had formed a virtual wall around him and he did so without forcing himself to needless tackles. 3 matches this WC and the “WALL” has conceded 5 goals 2 to his own mistakes. Pirlo and Gattusso were injured this year but both together didn't do jack in the European Championships as Italy made a early exit.

The English too have probably the best midfield in the tournament with Lampard, Gerrard, Gareth Barry and James Milner and probably with Rooney up front the best finisher too.but all put together till date and these famed group have managed 2 meekly draws and a nervy win against minnows Slovakia. Rooney has not even looked close to the form he was with Man Utd and has clearly struggled to score even when opportunities fell on his feet. Top of that there were 2 “Howlers” against Slovenia both of which should have been converted. But above all the main problem of the English seems to be with their Keepers. Green was left scrambling for what should have been a clean pick and David James has been just OK. The defense led by Terry seems to the only thing going after Carregher was coxed out of retirement by Cappello. They face Germany next and are almost sure to duplicate the acts of France and Italy if most of its big player fail to stand up.

But then where are these teams going wrong. Though they have players have excelled in there roles for their clubs they have been punished in the World Cup for failing to embrace newer ways of playing the game. Stuck in old ways; there was a staleness and familiarity to the styles of play in personnel of Italy and even England which even the lesser known nations were quick to benefit on. The more establish teams like Brazil, Germany, Argentina and Holland that have embraced innovation and diversity, and a willingness to reinvent themselves and play in a style that can hardly be termed stereotypical of their game. Brazil have reorganized the way they play the game after the defeats in 2006 settling for a more organized back four and a solid midfield core hat allows them to dominate the game and win it with a few flourishes of breathtaking skill and vision. The Dutch too blessed with talent such as Robben, Van Persie, Snieder have a strong defensive midfield set up in De Jong and Bommel who would look to break down attacks. The Germans on the other hand have gone reverse and added a bit of flair in their almost military style of unsmiling physical domination and athletic attacking of a generation ago, to incorporate a lot more flair and guile with Schweinsteiger, Podolski and Sami Khedira.

Also another point is that most of the players from the mentioned countries have played in the best leagues across the world and have adopted the best practices in their national team. Africa is full fo examples of stars who have done well in the leagues of England, Spain and Italy going on to play a major role for their nation is the World Cup. England and Italy have however relied on Home Grown domestic players completely unaware of what is going on in major leagues elsewhere. If we tune back our memories to Euro 04 we would find that the best player for England in that tournament was Owen Hargreaves raised in the leagues of Germany and later shifted to Man Utd. Success may have more to do with embracing innovation and applying skills and organizational principles learned in the global soccer "economy" -- the success of Uruguay and Mexico, even Ghana, can be partly attributed to the large number of their players now based at European clubs.

Daddy Dunga !!!!

I have never liked Brasil as a footballing nation, much goes into it due to they beating teams which I did choose to follow or support. The first world cup that I could seriously follow was USA 94 and I had placed by bets on Netherlands and Italy. While all of my family (predominantly Brasil supporter's) rooted for Romario, Bebeto and Dunga I was rooting for Rijkaard, Bergkamp, Baggio and Donadoni. Big match players hailing from big clubs around Europe for me it was Orange or Azzuri. Sadly both of them got beat to Brasil Quarter's and Finals respectively and my hatred for Brasil took a new leaf. Zidane ensured some solace for me in the upcoming world cups out playing them twice in 98 and 2006. Both times however more than Zidane's masterclass the Joca Bonito boys were flattened by a dour French defense who were eager to get physical and stop the “R's” playing their brand of football. With Thuram, Desailly, Makalele and Didier Deschamps the Les Bleus had their defense beginning at the mid field as they completely broke down the sweet rhythm Brasil is known for. Brasil blessed with startling strikers and mesmerizing mid fielders however could not do much when the French counter attacked. Flair had lead to defensive gaps which Dunga alone could not fill and Carlos was time and again caught out of position and struggled to get back. Similar scene's were repeated in 2006 as Brasil again with a plethora of stars failed to move beyond their old nemesis. Ronaldinho, Robinho, Kaka, Adriano and Ronaldo all together managed only a single shot on goal as Zidane managed to find Henry's feet to send Brasil packing.

Defending has never been a feature in Brasil's game plan, stylistic individuality and a fundamental commitment to excellence and passion has always been the hallmark of Brazilian football. When all doors seemed locked Brasil manages to unlock in in the most sublime of ways. In a game where physicality has taken over and sheer skill only matters a few feet away from the goal line, no amount of such glottalization has had any effect in the way Brasil plays. They were not afraid to concede goals provided they scored more which they did thanks to the talent they always carried around. But guess the lessons learn t from 2006 has had it effect as Dunga was brought in to tighten up the way Brasil operated. Much of the credit for Brasil wining the 94 World Cup should go to Dunga as even without the regular plethora of stars he managed to make optimum use of his unimaginative midfield. Chances were few but both Bebeto and Romario made full use when one came by. Dunga has fallen back on his own trusted way of football since taking over charge. The so called star studded midfield has been shunned for a rather effective one with Kaka at the center of it and Gilberto Silva playing a more defensive role much like Makalele did for France. Robinho and Fabiano would try and make most use of the chances created by Kaka and captain Lucio along with Maicon would look to have a watertight defense. The current formation might look ineffective but then Dunga has chosen his game plan well.

He is primarily using five players in his offensive formation: Kaka, Fabiano, Robinho. Plus the two full-backs Maicon and Michel Bastos. The other players primarily have a holding job though captain Lucio and Elano often get into attacking positions.The back four of Brasil currently are the best in the world. Maicon has been a proven player with Inter Milan this season who can run down the flanks often functioning as on alternative winger. The left flank too manned by Bastos is possibly in the best shape ever as in his current form he even out performs Carlos. The best part of the two (Maicon and Bastos) is that they seldom get caught off position and have bundles of energy. This fact was very well shown in the match against Korea where their relentless running caused quite some confusion amongst the Korean ranks. Even against a physical Ivory Coast both of them performed exceedingly well. Kaka wasn't quite his usual self against the Koreans but his assist to Elano who scored the third goal showed he was back to his best. Elano too has become an essential part in the midfield happy to fall back and assist Kaka who generally does the more penetrating job. Robinho too has had a decent start to this world cup minus the riff raff and needless stopovers, his pass to Elano for Brasil's second goal was superb. Maicon's goal, scored off a near-zero angle, was as much a triumph of ambition as of imagination: ambition because from that narrow angle, even the best would settle for a good cross, imagination because the Brazilian right full-back foresaw the possibility of that shot.

Brasil seems to have a system going for them and in the middle players do fit in perfectly, otherwise who would think of leaving out Ronaldinho.

No Joca Bonito for Brasils Dirty Harry. For hims its Guts and Glory.

Goddess of GRUNGE things

The media have always been a sucker for exotic,weird and outrageous stuff and have known to profoundly support any who wishes to write in similar lines. Arundhati Roy chooses to be the so called “Elite” few who would go as far as coining terms such as “Gandhians with Guns” so as to try and grab at the fat funds handed out by the big media houses in exchange for a few pages “Exotic” stuff. People like Roy herself have founded their own sweet and groovy spot by turning out articles bad mouthing the government, supporting internal terrorism, justifying terror attacks and harping against capitalism and the so called “Greedy Corporate”. Over the years her harps against capitalism and corporates have died down once she realized the only way to fund her indulgences into getting in the heartland and start on a “Bad Mouthing” cum “Demonizing” campaign needed money and most of it came funded from companies whome she had labeled “Greedy Corporates”.

Her writing style has evolved since the days she made quite some fortunes (half a million pounds as advance) narrating a story of 2 twins who were to be united years later. She realized and quite well that allowing her pen to write on anything in this world that is wretched, feudal, bad would be awaiting to be published by hordes of publishing companies who would give her “Acidic” reviews great space and publicity. Her recent arguments with regards to the Mumbai Attacks in 2008 and the recent disgraceful term of terming Maoists as “Gandhi with Guns” gives proof of the same. Voicing her opinions on the terror attacks in Mumbai she tried relating it to the sub continents history, society and wide spread poverty and even putting part blame on the partition of India. She has openly supported the claims for the separation of Kashmir from India and even gone ahead and tried to stay the court proceedings of Mohamed Afzal the key figure in the Indian Parliament terrorist attack in 2001. For long we have tried tolerating her hysterical allegations against India and anything Indian but patience right now is wearing fast.

She claims that she went, lived and even walked with her “Comrades” and claimed “it’s an army that is more Gandhian than any Gandhian, that leaves a lighter footprint than any climate change evangelist. You know, and as I said, even their sabotage techniques are Gandhian. You know, they waste nothing. They live on nothing.” Maybe she should consult the poor CRPF forces who were blown to smithereens by the “Humble and Gandhian” sabotaging tech niches of her “Comrades” before claiming such stuff. But then the poor sods who did die were “Crownies” of the evil state and it was good they got blown away. So while the jawan lies in midst of a jungle crying his guts out getting pumped by bullets from the “Brave Warriors” fighting against the state Mrs Roy would still claim the methods to be “Gandhian”. Even when the Maoists attack on a private bus killing about 50 people just to show who really is in power she gets really busy trying hard to find any lapse in the role of the state so that she could arrive as a “Messiah” to the innocent, armed poor trying hard to save their land from the greedy corporate by killing “Innocent Civilians”. Painting a much “Romanticized and Gruesome” picture of Maoist terror and state “Helplessness” seems to be her only fascination as she clearly does not want to endeavor into deeper waters. One would wonder as why did she opted out to become the negotiator between the Maoist and the Government. Sporting lame excuses as there were better people to do it and that she is too impatient and a maverick she stepped away. But seriously why would she want this to end as for her the fun has just begun. The state is tottering against the backlashes of the Maoists, Delhi too doesn't seem to keen on the “Final Solution” the field is virtually set for her to indulge in her favorite pastime, arising hysterical allegations via “Exotic” articles. She surely does not want this to end.

Democracy according to her is the biggest scams of all where votes are bought and voters become consumers. Like it or not Mrs Roy democracy is the reason you can write demeaning stuff about the state, flaunt it and still get away. I bet she would not try even writing half the stuff she does in a Communist or a Military Junta ruled state. Locked up in a dark cell with stale bread to eat and rats for company would be her state if she was ever so foolish. It would make one sound pretty dumb if he or she was to say the government was not to blame for the backlashes occurring. It is needless to say that the state and its various arms and faculties have contributed to or ignored the buildup of problems to current pathetic stage. But to openly support the cause of the Maoists saying they are doing this for solving the problems of the poor and the oppressed is nothing but bourgeois crap. In most countries such massacre of security forces would be met with brutal force the state showing great patience has not yet looked for such a “Final Solution”. But then most of us are mere individuals and blood does tend to boil when security men and civilians are butchered and instead of condemning such atrocities a certain section of the society like Roy herself goes about applauding the fact.