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Posts Tagged ‘Ghana’

England. The time is now. The slate is clean.

June 27th, 2010 No comments

It’s here.  The day has arrived.  In a few hours England will face Germany in a knockout World Cup match.   The last was 1990 and the nation was transfixed by the tears of a clown.     We’ll soon experience this years rollercoaster.  In 2030 will we remember tears of joy? 

So far it’s been a traumatic tournament for England.   Rumours of mutiny and boredom following the bafflingly incompetent showing against Algeria led to some vicious condemnation.    Fortunately a football match broke out on Wednesday and we put aside the distractions and won in (relative) comfort.   That’s all in the past now.  When knockout stages start it’s like  a new  tournament.   It’d be fantastic if  Wayne could ‘Write the Future’.   Imagine in twenty years looking back on the night we beat Germany!!   To make the difference on a stage like this is to become immortal.   No reason to feel afraid.  There will only be a billion people watching.   The time is now.  I can’t believe I wrote this paragraph and didn’t use the words ‘Penalty shootout’.  AAAARRRGH dam!!  

Both knockout games so far have been excellent.  Both filled with spritely attacking football and teams going all out for the wins as opposed to waiting to take a chance on penalties.    It was thrilling to watch the USA play their way back into their game against Ghana and exciting to see Ghana’s resilience in getting back in front.  Both sides were a credit to the game.   It’s becoming a great tournament now.   Let’s hope it continues. 

Much of what can be achieved is down to attitude and approach.   Brazil and Portugal were both qualified for the second round but even bearing that in mind their boring violent dirge on Friday was vile.   Is that the best they could conjure up?  Two sides filled with talent and excitement yet they just spent all game barging into each other and arguing like a load of little kids.  Spain have clicked into gear though.    Iniesta’s goal against Chile had the swagger and execution Barcelona have shown for the last two years.  Villa took his chance well but you can’t help wondering why the keeper dashed out.   If Spain continue to improve the only future Christiano will be  writing next week will be on postcards from his holiday home in the Bahamas.  Wouldn’t that be a shame!!

COME ON ENGLAND!!!!!!!

Balltitude – factor or excuse? Australia v Germany World cup

June 14th, 2010 No comments

Eight games gone sixteen teams on display.  The point has to be made that, so far, this World Cup hasn’t been particularly thrilling.  Too many average teams plodding along.   Argentina showed some style and at times played with great fluidity.   Apart from that this noggerfest is yet to ignite.  One factor/excuse (delete where necessary) is the balltitude.  A debilitating combination of altitude and a new ball which makes cohesive play impossible.   To be fair though, some of the top sides are yet to play.   And, most importantly, a Stoke player will be playing for Denmark so the standard is sure to increase dramatically!!!

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Australia were woeful against Germany.  Even allowing for the fact they were up against one of football’s true powerhouses, they were off the pace and looked like overawed rabbits trapped in headlights.  Rabbits may not feel overawed when trapped in headlights but that’s how Australia’s looked.   I ventured to the pub for an all nighter and half an hour before  kick off I bumped into my mate Indecisive Mike who was bristling with excitement because  he’ll be flying out to South Africa to attend the games against Ghana and Serbia.  It’s always been a dream to go to a World Cup so to be able to go and watch Australia was a special thing.   The early exuberance of the large crowd in the pub soon turned to anxiety.   One of the moments when it becomes clear that on the football stage Australia are still a small player amongst giants.  German competence was  enough to overpower their lame tepid resistance.   Cahill was unlucky to see red but to place to much emphasis on that would be to hide from the cold hard truths of this flimsy ‘performance’.  To their credit they didn’t blame the balltitude. 

At the end of the game as the pub emptied and football gave way to the sunrise, I saw a bedraggled Indecisive Mike and wished him a great time in South Africa.   I plucked up the courage to ask him why he was known as Indecisive Mike.  He explained, “Because I’m indecisive”.   Quite.

Australia hopes….but doesn’t expect

June 7th, 2010 No comments

In recent years it has been exciting to watch Australia come to prominence in football.   I’ve never known this country as ecstatic as it was on reaching the second round last time.   Finally, after years of administrative haggling, football finally had the profile it deserves.   It also brought the realisation that football, and the World Cup in particular, provided a stage bigger than anything previously experienced.  

This is my home and a place I love dearly so while I can’t quite say I support Australia I do honestly wish them well.  Until they play England anyway!   A good campaign for the national team is good for the game here which, obviously, is good for any football fan.   Each time I walk through my beloved Brisbane the profile of the World Cup is growing. Shopfronts proudly displaying the green and gold and bars advertising live TV showings are more prominent each day.  How many are prepared to stay open until 4.30am to show some matches remains to be seen!!

Anything Australia achieve in South Africa, and contrary to some peoples views I think they have a good chance of reaching the second round, is almost entirely based on a rigid formation.  You can’t outplay them BUT you can outnumber them. Squeezing the opposition in the middle of the pitch and narrowing angles will stifle opposition creativity and help to get on top of them and grind them down. Another advantage of this is the KISS method. Keep It Simple Stupid. If in doubt kick it out.  There will be little scope to make a tactical blunder.   In the build up the media attention is largely focussed on Harry Kewell and will he be ready for the Germans on Monday morning.   It’d actually make more sense not to play him in that.  Why risk another breakdown in a game where Australia will likely be beaten anyway?  The extra days would mean he’s much closer to full fitness when the more realistic goal of beating Ghana arrives on Saturday night.   It’s crucial to use the whole squad and everyone plays a role in a healthy campaign.   But a big injury to Tim Cahill would make a serious dent in the hopes.   He’s crucial.
So next Monday morning at 4.30 it’ll be interesting to see footballs true believers out in force.    And it’s a public holiday so everyone can catch up on much needed sleep afterwards!!