"Its a bird! It's a plane! It's La Furia Roja"
As I watch the U20 World Cup match between Spain and Ghana, I ask myself 'when will the domination of Spain in football come to an end?' I realized it was a rhetorical question as I was watching a junior team of the best team on the planet play. It's quite scary to think of a continued Spanish dominance because this doesn't exist only on the international scene but on the club scene as well . With the performances of their clubs on the European scene Spain's dominance doesn't seem to be waning anytime soon. Let me not deviate as this is about Spanish national teams not the clubs.
This dominance wasn't always so as Spain were regarded as perennial underachievers. Always qualifying for international tournaments but failing to live up to the hype that followed. It was mainly as a result of the lack of stability on the bench and in the dressing room . A certain calmness was lacking and the presence of large egos made it uneasy for Spain to progress despite all its talents. Fast forward to 2004, Luis Aragones was signed on to steady the ship. He had a false start in his first year at the Euro's in Portugal. He was maintained and this proved to be a masterstroke. He qualified them to the world cup in Germany where they put up a good show only to be stopped by the great Zidane. He led them to victory in Austria and Switzerland. There he introduced the famed tiki-taka football which mesmerized the world and all opponents. He also put the mentality of teamwork over individual talent which helped curtail the egos. Aragones passed the baton to Vicente del Bosque. He did the best thing for the team by not fixing what wasn't broken. Rather , he found ways to compliment this Spanish team by drafting in younger players. This was made possible through the good work of La Masia, Real Madrid B and the teams all over Spain.
The emphasis placed on youth in the Iberian region has helped the national team as the philosophy of Luis Aragones was maintained. The culture of passing the ball all over the pitch and starving your opponent off possession and making him tired as he chases the ball. This has transferred the winning mentality from the national team to the youth teams. This is can be seen as the Spanish u21 side successfully defended their European Trophy in Israel using a typically similar tactic.
This success though doesn't all go to the coach as his playing personnel make his ideas seen on the pitch . The likes of Casillas, Iniesta, Xavi, Xabi Alonso, David Villa etc .. have made this sort of play a joy to watch . The upcoming bunch of Isco, Delofeu, Bartra, Thiago,Jese Rodriguez and others are going to ensure that this style of play doesn't fade away anytime soon.
A little tip for the punters . Place your bets on Spain in any tournament as they are a good value for money in the Confederations Cup, U20 Youth Championship, World Cup and many other tournaments to come. La Furia Roja doenst seem like slowing down anytime soon and this doesnt bode well for the others. For us the neutrals, we just sit back and enjoy the Spanish dominance
Monday, 24 June 2013
REPORT CARD OF THE CONFEDERATIONS CUP PARTICIPANTS
TEAM: Japan (The Blue Samurai)
HOW THEY QUALIFIED: Winners Of 2011 AFC Asian Cup
SUMMARY OF THEIR TOURNAMENT
Placed on Group A alongside Brazil, Italy and Mexico, they started off with a 3-0 defeat against the host nation but played some of the most delightful attacking football in the tournament as they served a classic game against the Azzurri which was only won by a Sebastian Giovinco tap-in. They served a similar thing in the game against Mexico but a double from Javier Hernandez consigned them to a campaign of successive defeats.
STANDOUT PERFORMERS
Due to the attacking nature of their play, their standout performers have been Shinji Kagawa and Shinji Okazaki They have had a good tournament scoring three goals between them and Kagawa setting up one more . Though they conceded quite a lot, Eiji Kawashima was also a top performer for the Blue Samurai in between the posts making crucial saves at times.
COMMENT
Having already qualified to the 2014 showpiece in Brazil, Coach Alberto Zaccheroni has minor problems as he has to find a strong center forward to compliment the efforts of Honda, Kagawa and Okazaki. Also he needs to find good defenders as most of their work up front was undone by some shoddy defensive work at the back. If attended to, they will go beyond their best of an appearance at the round of 16.
Position: 7th
Tuesday, 11 June 2013
Neymar To Barcelona: A Legend in the making or A Monumental Flop in the Making
Life is a sum of all the choices we make. Some smart, others not so smart. Sometimes we make these choices as a result of what we feel, others too based on what we think and some based on what those around us say or think. Whatever it is that lead us to making those choices may come back to haunt us or make us happy. We may or may not regret them but its all in the future so we might as well enjoy the best parts of it.
Now to my main topic, Neymar Da Silva Santos, the 21 year old Brazilian magician. This young lad currently has the world at his feet (literally). Gifted with magical feet and the skill of Ronaldinho(my view).
His ability to make magic happen in perilous times for his club and country making him a prized asset for club and country.
His skill did not go unnoticed as some of the giants in football came knocking at his door for his signature. Chelsea, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, Barcelona, noveau-riche PSG just to name a few chased this genius. He was spoilt for choice. At 21, he's a three time Campeonato Paulista winner, a Copa Libertadores to his name, an Olympic Silver Medalist not forgetting his numerous individual awards won all over the continent.
At a tender age of 21 and such talent, he had shown the South American continent what they had to see hence the need to move to better himself . He eventually chose La Liga and Catalonia as his preferred home with Barcelona being his new team snubbing Real Madrid who made an offer twice as much as Barcelona made and a higher wage packet. This could be seen as a love for the game rather than love for personal gain. The Big Question here is WHY? This unfortunately can be answered he alone but will this bode well for him in the end? As seen in times past, a footballer's success is attributed to himself, likewise his failure so take heed Neymar.
His Barcelona move could be a success by dint of certain reasons and also a failure as a result of other factors but first lets see why this move could be a success.
1. The South American Flavor
Most football players have been able or unable to perform to the highest levels due to their inability to adapt to new surroundings but in Neymar's case, this shouldn't be a problem. The presence of Dani Alves( who Neymar regards as his big brother), Adriano and Alexis Sanchez . This set up should help him adapt quickly in Catalonia.
2. The Barcelona Stability
Barcelona is a club noted for its stability in the dugout . Also the stability in the dressing room. this all acts as a tonic to help him succeed in Barcelona. The presence of calming presences of Puyol, Xavi and Iniesta might help Neymar succeed in his new environment.
3. His Individual Brilliance
Neymar has ability to create magic out of nothing, a weapon that Neymar will (or can ) use as a lot of Barcelona's opponents who will sit back and try to catch Barcelona on the counter. With this asset, the burden of unlocking tight defenses will be lifted off the usual suspects .
Now like all humans,the probability of success stands at 1/2 whereas the other 1/2 stands for failure.
Neymar has all the qualities to be a success and legend at Barcelona but then again, the possibility of failure
stands . Here in my opinion are some reasons why Neymar wont make it in Barcelona.
1. Messidependecia
Barcelona's Independence on Lionel Messi cannot be denied. A Barcelona without Messi is unimaginable. Without him, they seem toothless and beatable. PSG almost seized on it whereas Bayern Munich exploited it relentlessly. Some fans will say this is the reason why Neymar was signed but I say wasnt it for this same reason Villa and Alexis Sanchez were signed? Is it not for this same reason, Tello, Bojan, Pedro and other La Masia products were promoted?
2. His Position in the Team
His style of play has been likened to that of Barca great Ronaldinho. This comparison might tempt Villanova (or whoever coaches Barca) to play Neymar in the hole behind the main striker. this will be a failed attempt as proven in Brazil's game against England . Not to say he was a flop but he wasnt as effective as we have to know him to be.
3. Not Being the Star Man
Another reason why Neymar might not make is because he is not going to be the star man here . Neymar is used to being the man around which the play revolves in Brazil and at Santos. Messi is firmly the man here and hence Neymar must play to put him in the spotlight. Zlatan Ibrahimovic is evidence of this fact. Going from the poster boy of Brazil and Santos to a member of a team will be a tough step for Neymar and his ability to handle this transition is going to quite interesting
Now to my main topic, Neymar Da Silva Santos, the 21 year old Brazilian magician. This young lad currently has the world at his feet (literally). Gifted with magical feet and the skill of Ronaldinho(my view).
His ability to make magic happen in perilous times for his club and country making him a prized asset for club and country.
His skill did not go unnoticed as some of the giants in football came knocking at his door for his signature. Chelsea, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, Barcelona, noveau-riche PSG just to name a few chased this genius. He was spoilt for choice. At 21, he's a three time Campeonato Paulista winner, a Copa Libertadores to his name, an Olympic Silver Medalist not forgetting his numerous individual awards won all over the continent.
At a tender age of 21 and such talent, he had shown the South American continent what they had to see hence the need to move to better himself . He eventually chose La Liga and Catalonia as his preferred home with Barcelona being his new team snubbing Real Madrid who made an offer twice as much as Barcelona made and a higher wage packet. This could be seen as a love for the game rather than love for personal gain. The Big Question here is WHY? This unfortunately can be answered he alone but will this bode well for him in the end? As seen in times past, a footballer's success is attributed to himself, likewise his failure so take heed Neymar.
His Barcelona move could be a success by dint of certain reasons and also a failure as a result of other factors but first lets see why this move could be a success.
1. The South American Flavor
Most football players have been able or unable to perform to the highest levels due to their inability to adapt to new surroundings but in Neymar's case, this shouldn't be a problem. The presence of Dani Alves( who Neymar regards as his big brother), Adriano and Alexis Sanchez . This set up should help him adapt quickly in Catalonia.
2. The Barcelona Stability
Barcelona is a club noted for its stability in the dugout . Also the stability in the dressing room. this all acts as a tonic to help him succeed in Barcelona. The presence of calming presences of Puyol, Xavi and Iniesta might help Neymar succeed in his new environment.
3. His Individual Brilliance
Neymar has ability to create magic out of nothing, a weapon that Neymar will (or can ) use as a lot of Barcelona's opponents who will sit back and try to catch Barcelona on the counter. With this asset, the burden of unlocking tight defenses will be lifted off the usual suspects .
Now like all humans,the probability of success stands at 1/2 whereas the other 1/2 stands for failure.
Neymar has all the qualities to be a success and legend at Barcelona but then again, the possibility of failure
stands . Here in my opinion are some reasons why Neymar wont make it in Barcelona.
1. Messidependecia
Barcelona's Independence on Lionel Messi cannot be denied. A Barcelona without Messi is unimaginable. Without him, they seem toothless and beatable. PSG almost seized on it whereas Bayern Munich exploited it relentlessly. Some fans will say this is the reason why Neymar was signed but I say wasnt it for this same reason Villa and Alexis Sanchez were signed? Is it not for this same reason, Tello, Bojan, Pedro and other La Masia products were promoted?
2. His Position in the Team
His style of play has been likened to that of Barca great Ronaldinho. This comparison might tempt Villanova (or whoever coaches Barca) to play Neymar in the hole behind the main striker. this will be a failed attempt as proven in Brazil's game against England . Not to say he was a flop but he wasnt as effective as we have to know him to be.
3. Not Being the Star Man
Another reason why Neymar might not make is because he is not going to be the star man here . Neymar is used to being the man around which the play revolves in Brazil and at Santos. Messi is firmly the man here and hence Neymar must play to put him in the spotlight. Zlatan Ibrahimovic is evidence of this fact. Going from the poster boy of Brazil and Santos to a member of a team will be a tough step for Neymar and his ability to handle this transition is going to quite interesting
MY VIEW
Neymar's talent and ability cannot be questioned his status a global superstar has being cemented but all this hype could cause his downfall. Being named in the same breath as Ronaldo and Messi and being compared to legends such as Ronaldinho and Pele wont help his cause. Besides signing for Barcelona puts him in an environment where in the minds of many he is already a better player than he is ever likely to become. These all indicate the makings of a failure at Barcelona.
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