So, the world cup is at last over, it’s a shame it ended the way it did too. Here’s a few of my musings on it, bearing in mind I’m no soccer pundit or expert. I know my blogging buddy Shep did an excellent job of covering the world cup day by day (sober!) where as I’ve only really covered the start and end. Ok, so Italy win, fair play to their penalty prowess but you a definite scowl to their on pitch etiquette of theatrics, insults and diving.
The Players
Several players stuck out for me, the Japanese goal keeper Kawaguchi, Podolski of Germany, Maniche of Portugal and of course Zidane, Thuram and Ribery of my favoured team France. Of course there were many other fine players to grace the world cup.
The Teams
No team really stuck out in this world cup, a couple peaked and then faded, others where non starters, some teams were slow to get into it. All a mixed bag really, even the soccer pundits echoed that no one team had really shone out in this world cup, I have to say that I agree. Even the winners Italy, ok so they won but using any underhand means possible, I refer of course to the Zidane incident.
The Referee’s
There’s a lot of talk about having two referee’s in the future, in all honesty what’s the point? In this high tech day and age the referee should consult with off pitch footage post match, after all there are probably hundreds of camera’s from all nations around the pitch. I accept the fact that in some instances he cannot make decisions based on camera evidence as this would upset the flow of play as he runs to the sideline to investigate but I think there’s another way. The other way being having impartial FIFA based cameramen film the match then any player infringing or flaunting the rules can be reprimanded after the game based on irrefutable camera footage. Then FIFA can use this to send players home or hand out further cards after a match. The idea of two referee’s doesn’t work for me and would probably lead to disagreements as one ref tries to out do the other. So, in conclusion, play the game as normal with the ref, then after the game an independent panel watch the game and penalise any players breaking the rules after at a hearing. This I’m sure would make players think twice before trying anything subversive or sneaky.
Zidane and 'that' incident
Well, seemingly the press were quick to vilify Mr Zidane initially but are now showing evidence that he was indeed pinched on the nipple hard by Materazzi and then taunted. The actual words said by Materazzi are still a mystery but professional Italian lip readers who watched close up replays state that Materazzi taunted Zidane about his mother who is in fact ill at the moment. There was other speculation from the press that Zidane was called a terrorist.
I can’t support what Zidane did, I accept there’s gamesmanship in football but what Materazzi said must have cut deeply. Whilst some of the press say Zidane ended his career in shame, I disagree, let’s not readily forget all the good he has done for football, all the pleasure he has brought to millions. The Italians knew they were on the back foot in the second half as France relentlessly attacked, so resorted to low level tactics. Lets remember the pressure that must have been on the players and realise that nearly all geniuses all lose it from time to time, whether it’s a footballer or an artist.
The Players
Several players stuck out for me, the Japanese goal keeper Kawaguchi, Podolski of Germany, Maniche of Portugal and of course Zidane, Thuram and Ribery of my favoured team France. Of course there were many other fine players to grace the world cup.
The Teams
No team really stuck out in this world cup, a couple peaked and then faded, others where non starters, some teams were slow to get into it. All a mixed bag really, even the soccer pundits echoed that no one team had really shone out in this world cup, I have to say that I agree. Even the winners Italy, ok so they won but using any underhand means possible, I refer of course to the Zidane incident.
The Referee’s
There’s a lot of talk about having two referee’s in the future, in all honesty what’s the point? In this high tech day and age the referee should consult with off pitch footage post match, after all there are probably hundreds of camera’s from all nations around the pitch. I accept the fact that in some instances he cannot make decisions based on camera evidence as this would upset the flow of play as he runs to the sideline to investigate but I think there’s another way. The other way being having impartial FIFA based cameramen film the match then any player infringing or flaunting the rules can be reprimanded after the game based on irrefutable camera footage. Then FIFA can use this to send players home or hand out further cards after a match. The idea of two referee’s doesn’t work for me and would probably lead to disagreements as one ref tries to out do the other. So, in conclusion, play the game as normal with the ref, then after the game an independent panel watch the game and penalise any players breaking the rules after at a hearing. This I’m sure would make players think twice before trying anything subversive or sneaky.
Zidane and 'that' incident
Well, seemingly the press were quick to vilify Mr Zidane initially but are now showing evidence that he was indeed pinched on the nipple hard by Materazzi and then taunted. The actual words said by Materazzi are still a mystery but professional Italian lip readers who watched close up replays state that Materazzi taunted Zidane about his mother who is in fact ill at the moment. There was other speculation from the press that Zidane was called a terrorist.
I can’t support what Zidane did, I accept there’s gamesmanship in football but what Materazzi said must have cut deeply. Whilst some of the press say Zidane ended his career in shame, I disagree, let’s not readily forget all the good he has done for football, all the pleasure he has brought to millions. The Italians knew they were on the back foot in the second half as France relentlessly attacked, so resorted to low level tactics. Lets remember the pressure that must have been on the players and realise that nearly all geniuses all lose it from time to time, whether it’s a footballer or an artist.
In France Zidane is still a hero, that goes for me too. I’m not letting one moment of madness affect my judgment of him. It’s a shame France lost in such a manner but to me they always shine in the world of football.
No comments:
Post a Comment