World Cup Report: Some Observations

Everyone has played one game and here are some comments about what I have seen:

-It's still early but the officiating has greatly improved from 2002. There have been some harsh calls but all in all a good job all around. I especially applaud their efforts to crack down on diving. It is somewhat embarrassing to watch superbly fit athletes cry at the slightest infraction. Soccer was originally intended to be a gentleman's game.

Note: Ok. The officiating did not maintain itself. We're not quite at Korea 2002...yet. As the games tighten I hope the refs do not decide the outcome. That said, Sepp Blabber, er Blatter, should not be publicly assaulting his officials. After all, he is the big Taco over at FIFA HQ. If anything, it reflects his own failures to improve the officiating.

-The truth about France is that they have not been in top form since 2000. The cracks were already there for those who cared to look when Italy outplayed and outclassed them in the Euro 2000. France went on to tie the game in extra time (four minutes were mysteriously added) and pulled it off in overtime. Since that time France has failed to impress at any level and have not scored a World Cup goal in four matches going back to 2002. Though this will change as they face Korea and Togo in their next matches. It boggles the mind how French striker David Trezeguet was kept on the bench. The Swiss deserved a better fate.

-Speaking of odd decisions. Portugal went into defensive mode in their game against an offensively impotent Angolan team much to the derision Portugeuese fans. While I am a fan of taking practical and pragmatic tactical decisions, this one was odd. Portugal was in complete control of the game. It is interesting to note that many teams are employing the exact same tactics that have brought Italy fame and misery through the years. Yet, ironically Italy is moving away from defensive play. More irony? All those years Italy played the catenaccio (chain defense) they always had world class strikers. That said, there's always room for prudent defense in soccer.

-Serie A in Italy is arguably the toughest league in the world to play in. One of the reasons is because of the relentless tight marking and attention to detail. It's a tactical league. Those who play in this league generally handle the pressure of World Cup soccer well. An argument can be made that strikers who play in Italy are more sharp since they have to craft their way through defensive lines that seek to break your ankles.

-This from Oxford dictionary - Crazy: insane, very foolish; madly eager. The press in Spain and England.

-Cheers to the English. Once upon a time the English deserved their hooligan moniker as they roamed the streets of Europe like depraved, pillaging Vikings. Granted, it was a select few who created the trouble but as we have seem with Muslim extremism it only takes a couple of rotten apples. However, this stigma no longer applies. English fans have behaved and have acted in the traditional civil British manner abroad in recent years. In Germany they are in full force without a hint of trouble. I hope they don't make me look silly. Time will tell if they will be rewarded with an English triumph. Like most teams, England comes in with one of the most balanced assembly of players in decades. The fans in England deserve a shot at this thing.

-Why does Germany win? This isn't a very talented German squad. In fact, it's two straight World Cups Germany manages to pull out some wins. A break here, a luck chance there and presto! But it's not all fortune. Germany plays a minimalist forward attack that simply works. Once they get int he 18 meter box they become autistic (I don't mean this in any derogatory manner but rather they become black and white in their visions) in the area. None of this colorful Latin stuff. Pure Teutonic simplicity.

-Is this the year Spain overcomes its woeful track record at this tournament? Make no mistake about it, Spain had enough talent through the years to win at least one World Cup but have flopped miserably. There are many reasons for this (including historical regional cleavages that impeded proper unity on various teams) but 2006 may be their best shot yet. Look out for David Villa. Sharp player.

-Brazil did not impress in their first -or second - game. Croatia and Australia were worthy opponents. I'll reserve comment about Brazil until a few games. They are, well, Brazil and they deserve the benefit of the doubt.

-I hope to see the African teams do well. Particularly Ivory Coast and Ghana. They play hard and somewhat erratic but no one can deny their talent and class.

-Pound for pound, it can be stated with reason that Argentina has looked the best so far.

-Heard Eric Wynalda make some comments on PTI (Pardon the Interruption) about the tournament so far. No idea why some American soccer players and analysts dismissed Italy's victory over Ghana. His comments about Ghana were arguably misleading. This is not 'just Ghana' as he said. This team happens to have one of the top defensemen in the world in Kuffour (AS Roma) and several solid players who play in Europe like Appiah, Muntari and Essien. They have a soccer pedigree as their their 4 under-20 world titles reveal. In some ways, they are more accomplished than the USA. Wynalda notwithstanding, Ghana will give the USA all sorts of trouble. Italy's victory over Ghana, all things considered (including the gambling and match fixing scandal hitting Italy) was a legitimate statement game. The Czechs on the other hand - to whom everyone is crowning the Champions - simply took advantage of an unprepared American squad. In any event, this is all short term in thought and academic. There is a lot of soccer left.*

*On June 17, Ghana defeated the Czech Republic 2-0. While I am not surprised by the outcome, I am impressed by how Ghana brought their game to another level. They were outstanding - which only makes Italy's victory over them all the more important. There's a chance Ghana can meet Brazil in the next round. If so, it can prove to be an incredible match up. A set up that Ghana can win.