Pandemonium in Nuremburg

About 400 years have passed since Dutch and Portuguese fleets faced each other in the seas for control of the sea lanes to impose their monopoly of their own on the spice trade in India. The ‘Round of sixteen’ match at Nuremburg was much like a war, but this time it was for a place in the quarter-finals. The spur remained and it was a hard fought encounter (quite literary too) in which Fifa’s ‘my game is fair-play’ was forgotten.

The card count told the whole story, a new World Cup record with four omissions and a record-equalling 16 yellow cards. Very rarely do Fifa president Sepp Blatter talk with sense, but this time he did, “There could have been a yellow card for the referee,” said the furious big boss, “he was not at the same level as the players.” The Russian official Valentin Ivanov may be spared as the players were too unprofessional. But the referee could have had a word or two with the captains of either side before it went out of control. Van Bommel and Boulahrouz started the riot with heavy tackles on the Manchester United No.7 that later sent him out substituted to leave him in tears. Yellow cards were flashed every now and then without any warnings. At the half-hour mark Portugal’s anchorman Costinha sliced down Cocu and got booked. Ten minutes later, he again committed a nasty foul on Ooijer, but escaped with the referee showing a rare mercy, though it looked illegal. Just before halftime he made matters worse with a deliberate and dim-witted hand ball in the middle of the park, this time the arbitrator left with no choice to send him off.

It was shocking to see charismatic Portuguese captain Luis Figo head-butting and then Deco ridiculously committed into a two-footed scythe on Johnny Heitinga. The Barcelona dynamo was soon off however after falling foul to another of Federation’s bête-noirs; time wasting. Deco might have learnt that in Mourinho’s school at Porto. When Nuno Valente hacked down the ever impressive Van Persie from behind, and earned a yellow, again both sets of players came together. Not only a mad burst of words, but arms thrown in and furies exchanged. The Dutch, who were behind by the 23^rd minute goal of Maniche (scored just after collecting his yellow), through out the game were never behind in lashing out fouls and creating mayhem. Boulahrouz elbowed Figo to see red, and young Sneijder seemed to be too immature. Van Bronckhorst tripped Figo at the hour mark, earned his first caution and was later ousted at the closing stages of the game to complete the cards tally. Arjen Robben (another disciple of Mourinho’s simulation school) threw himself to the ground at almost every opportunity he could get, while his team mates Kuyt and Van Bommel also did their best to con the Russian official. A single goal and some good approach play from either side were marred with these atrocities and savagery shown on the field. It was difficult to call it a match of football; the beautiful game is a lot different from this.

Big Phil Scolari had taught the Brazilians to fight with fouls and to win by hook or crook, and he indeed won the trophy with them last time out. Now he has turned this team hailed as ‘Europe’s Brazil’ into a similar ‘hard-working’ group. After the match he hailed their ‘Heroic’ win and blamed Dutch play-acting for the bedlam. He commented the sending off of Deco was provocational, the only reason I can think of this remark is that the master tactician has got some problem with his eyes. The two-footed lunge was a career ending tackle and deserved a straight red. Cries for the head of Dutch trainer Marco van Basten will be heard for his failure to bring on Ruud van Nistelrooy at some stage, if not from the start. Van the man could have got at the end of some of those Van Persie crosses. It was surprising to say the least to see Jan Vennegoor of Hasselink coming on as a substitute late on.

Germany 2006 has seen a lot of great matches, beautiful game getting a sneak peek often, and some wonderful goals to add to the excitement. But this ghastly affair at Nuremberg remains to be a black eye to the tournament itself. The man who blew the whistle and flashed the cards may be under another Nuremberg trial (the first of its name when the German officials involved in the Holocaust were taken in front of a tribunal in the forties), but the players have to be blamed for crossing the border of discipline. The instructors also should be held responsible for giving the license to the players, and for asking their troops to win the battle without chivalry.

A ‘Hexa’ Quest and Some Bench-warmers

The ‘Selecao’, as they are fondly called, the team that has been the face of the game in its whole history are looking for their sixth World Cup success. Brazil has fielded the ‘magic quartet’ in their first game against Croatia in their bid for that ‘Hexa’. A one goal victory proved alright. Fans expected more but it is their own fault. The defence and Dida enjoyed that clean-sheet, Emerson had a few tackles, though most were harsh, Roberto Carlos had his usual thunderbolts going, wizard Ronaldinho tried to entertain, and Kaka scored a stunner. Ronaldo showed why he is called an overweight. Adriano could not get out of his recent poor run. In the end, the coach says they played badly and won because they had planned so. He says he has asked his team to take out only 70% what they have got. This does not sound music to the ears of an ordinary supporter. Even pundits have laughed at these comments.

The question remains, will Brazil retain the title? They may, but they have to improve a lot. Maybe that they haven’t taken out yet is that which will be crucial. What I am here about to do is to analyse their bench a bit. Robinho, much unused by Real Madrid on the right wing, can be impressive with his pace and dribbles. He has been compared to ‘the sparrow’ Garrincha and that is an honour in itself. Gilberto Silva has been so solid for Arsenal, is a good air-ball specialist and is known to hold the play well. Juninho Pernambucano’s skills in set-pieces is known, he is also a fine attacking midfielder who can score goals with ease. He has shown that for Lyon in the Champions League. Cris has been solid for that same Lyon, and so has been Luisao for Benfica. Cicinho’s pace is awesome, and has been a better player for tiring Real Madrid for the latter part of the last season. All these players have proven enough to get into the starting eleven.

It is not fair to analyse a team from their first match. It is also cruel to criticize a team that had won. But the victory has not been in their usual way. Italy or Czech Republic in the second round is a fearful prospect. Both those teams have been impressive and concrete in their own opening matches. The kind of football they displayed against Croatia will not be enough against them. To retain the title, Brazil needs to play with more composure in front of goal. Ronaldo and Adriano should be among the goals or the bench will invade the pitch. Carlos Alberto Parreira has already voiced his fears, “It is not easy to win the World Cup, and it is even more difficult to retain it”.