The first World Cup ever held in Africa comes to a conclusion this weekend. A successful one to be sure and we're all looking forward to an epic final. It will mark the first time a European nation will be crowned world champion in a World Cup held off that continent. The team that wins it will also be a first timer and for Spain it also marks their very first appearance in a world cup final. There is more to the story here too that promises to be a positive for the future of the game.
A really good result, regardless of who wins it, has to be FIFA's realization that they simply must get their heads out of the sand and do something positive to make more of an effort to eliminate the errors that have tainted the outcome of so many matches at soccer's premier event. It really is obnoxious that fans in Uruguay were actually celebrating their own “hand of God” event that allowed their team to avoid defeat at the hands of Ghana. You have to realize that something is very wrong when moments such as that are celebrated by the fans instead of those moments of brilliance or the classy teamwork that carries one team past another. FIFA is making noises that suggest they have finally come to the realization that they must do more.
As I said a few weeks back after the USA suffered goals being denied in error in consecutive games, Argentina's goal by Tevez was allowed to stand, Fabiano handling the ball twice on the same play to set up his goal and England's clear goal from Lampard that would have leveled the score in their match with Germany soccer's showpiece event was in danger of becoming a farce. The Lampard goal in particular simply could not be dismissed as a “judgement call” by the officials. It was simply a horrendous error that really did alter the game (had the goal been correctly allowed it would have tied the match at 2).
In the past FIFA's Sepp Blatter has dismissed such errors as what he calls “the human element” and therefore they simply must be accepted as truly bizarre as that is. This is from the top guy that is charged with protecting that mythical “integrity of the game” which under his leadership has become little more than a very bad joke. FIFA is now trying to change that public posture and will be making a real effort to do a better job of trying to “get it right” and that is a big step in the right direction. Let's hope that it isn't just meaningless rhetoric this time. A clean game to end this World Cup would be welcome indeed.
The big time pundits have taken the posture that the outcome of the final is a foregone conclusion with Spain being victorious. If I were a betting man my money (and my hope) would be on the Netherlands to defeat Spain in the final of World Cup 2010. It is good for the game that the two best teams from the Euro zone over the past few years face off for the title. That said upfront, what is the basis for Spain's success?
Spain used to be criticised by being unable to succeed internationally because they couldn't seem to grind it out. They were too dependent on open play, more direct and the flair of their world class players said the pundits. Now, they have become the very opposite: they have become more like Italy is one way to say it. And their success in this World Cup suggests that is the approach that suits them best. That in itself is a surprise.
But is that really what has made them the team they have become? I think not. Spain's starting 11 come primarily from two professional clubs: Barcelona and Real Madrid. In a recent match at this world cup 9 of the first 11, ten if Torres doesn't start, play professionally for those top two clubs in La Liga. As many as five of the first 11 play together at Barcelona. No other national side in this tournament draws its players from just one or two pro clubs. None. That fact is a big benefit to Spain as most of the nation's teams have only weeks together. These guys play together week in, week out and it shows. A strength that other nations simply do not bring to this tournament. Actually, given that fundamental it is more than surprising that they haven't been more dominant and have only managed to squeak by scoring only once in four consecutive games and several of those goals coming with a healthy dose of good fortune too.
Their opponent in the final, Netherlands, is an example of the polar opposite with its players coming from a wide spectrum of pro clubs in Europe. Does that account for the feel you get that this team has yet to put together their best so far? Could be the very root of that for sure with the Dutch first 11 playing their pro soccer in England, Germany, France, Italy and of course the Netherlands and Denmark too. With all the success of Wesley Sneijder this season at Inter and the dependence of Bayern Munich on yet another Dutchman, Arjen Robben, much of the media focus is directed their way. The slump of Liverpool have even made the hard working Dirk Kuyt a little mentioned strength of the Dutch side. The big media focus on those widely recognized names instead of actually looking closely at the team. Easier to ensure their stories get widely circulated I suppose. Makes sense, no?
Yes, of course, but what I've found interesting in this buildup to the final, and I've read a great deal and watched the pundits too. It surprises me that little focus, which actually includes not even mentioning his name at all, has been on the man that might be the real key for the Dutch: Robin Van Persie. Fans of the EPL and of course Arsenal know him well and know him to be one of those players that can determine the outcome of a big match on a given day. RVP has also had little impact in this world cup so far except a dust up with the boss. Watch him in the final. The pundits might not even recognize that he's part of the team but you can rest assured the Spanish defenders will be paying attention to where he is at all times.
If the Dutch are to get goals from anyone other than Robben, Sneijder or perhaps Kuyt, this is the man to keep your eyes on in the final. With the ball at his feet this man is a real danger. Van Persie could very well be the difference maker in this encounter whether he scores the pivotal goal or creates it.
Bronze Medal Game: Germany 3-2 Uruguay
A bit of a detour to get in the bronze medal game where Germany got a late goal from Khedira (82) to put down the resilient Uruguayans 3-2 in a thrilling match played in a steady downpour. Germany wins the bronze for the second straight world cup. With their two goals in the second half they became only the second team to come from behind to win a match (Netherlands did it against Brazil). Thomas Muller put Germany on top (19) with his 5th goal of the tournament only to see Uruguay claim the lead on goals from Cavani (28) and the indomitable Diego Forlan (51). Five minutes later Germany leveled via Jansen in a match that featured end-to-end action as both teams expressed their determination to end this world cup with a victory. Germany would get that match winner late to claim 3rd place but they would see Forlan nearly knot the score at 3 with the final kick of the match when his free kick came back off the bar as the whistle sounded.
Uruguay's Luis Suarez was booed lustily every time he touched the ball throughout the match as he's become persona non grata all over the African continent for his handball against Ghana. Now, to set the record straight it wasn't so much what he did as any player would have done the same to prevent the goal. It was his comments afterwards that made it seem even worse. But, the biggest wrong belongs to FIFA again. Why is the penalty for that handball 1 match? Is it simply because it was not one of those deliberate and dangerous fouls? Does that really make sense? Here a guy prevents the winning goal with a deliberate infraction then piles on the stupid statements that makes it even more egregious. In fact, his attitude about the event is very likely to be the basis for why it has caused such a reaction and made him an even bigger target of abuse. Those same statements of his attitude should alert FIFA that this sort of event should also be addressed.
Some pundits are dismissing it and saying the rules of the game worked in this case. Yes, exactly the point!
Why is the penalty only one game for what this guy did, denying a nation advancement to the next round (the whole continent really)? That is what makes FIFA the real villain here. I'll say it again; Suarez did what he did because he knew, as most players do as well, the punishment really doesn't fit the crime, so they'll do it and keep right on doing it too. Ask yourself what the reaction would be if an entire team lined up along the goal line. Absurd you say? They could do that too as nothing in the rules prevents them doing so. Precisely!
This whole bust-up is about a fundamental fault of reasoning on behalf of FIFA. It is the very same reason they cannot limit the simulation and deception that a lot of people around the world see as a blemish on soccer. The play acting and drama queen behavior is so prevalent today that it is said it has become “part of the game” itself and that is simply wrong-headed and a big part of why FIFA hasn't done more to put an end to it. It is “part of the show” and never was and should not be part of the game. A very different thing indeed. FIFA's failure to act decisively is what has led some to say it is now part of the game.
FIFA's posture on much of this is simply lunatic. One thing is certain; if you reward bad behaviour you will get more of it and a 1 match suspension for a deliberate handball by a field player with the sole and obvious intent of denying a goal is a reward. Just ask Luis Suarez and he'll tell you. Actually he did when he said “I made the best save of the world cup” expressing his pride in what he did denying the match winning goal to Ghana.
Some pundits say nobody would be talking about the event if Gyan's penalty hadn't hit the bar and it was simply that that made it such a big deal. Wrong! His handball DID deny the winning goal! That act DID change the outcome and it was simply not just the fact that Gyan missed the penalty. Denying that is far too convenient and that very attitude is what permits FIFA to do nothing.
Those same pundits say hey look, the rules of the game worked, he got dismissed and a penalty was awarded. Prescisely the point! When the penalty doesn't fit the crime it only assures that it will happen again, and again. FIFA could make it far less likely to occur if they'd step up and make the penalty for this sort of deliberate infraction by a field player to deny a goal more of a 'sacrifice' on their part.
Netherlands 0-1 Spain (AET)
The better team won and too many Dutch players didn't measure up the biggest among them being Robin Van Persie. The early effort of the Dutch to neutralize the Spanish midfield by going over the top seemed to be working for them though it didn't lead to any real opportunities to score. In case you didn't notice the Dutch relied heavily on their keeper (Stekelenberg) passing the ball back to him at least 14 times in the early going for him to drive up field bypassing the Spain middies and their possession game. Why they changed that is anyone's guess but they clearly did. Perhaps because it didn't really generate any ball control for themselves. Despite that, big chances by each side were spurned with Ramos missing a free header. The bigger chances not converted came from the boot of Arjen Robben. Twice he was put in alone on Casillas and failed to finish the opportunity, the biggest of them in the 62nd minute when the keeper went down the wrong way and Robben's shot ticked off his trailing boot and went wide.
On the other Robben had Casillas smother the ball at his feet just before he got off his shot and on that one there was a call for what would have been a penalty. Robben made a big show of it but frankly the error was his own. He had to fight through the clutching and grabbing for sure but he was more embarrassed by not getting off a shot then he was in making a claim for a spot kick. He might have had a good claim for a free kick outside the area but he only earned a yellow card for his berating of the official (England's Howard Webb knows Robben well from his time at Chelsea). Being an experienced pro Robben knew very well by not taking those chances he had with the ball at his feet and only the keeper to beat the chance of his team winning the contest was probably gone, and he was right.
Spain's Del Bosque made some bold subs as the match was clearly headed for extra time and that included bringing on Fernando Torres for Villa (a big gamble to be sure) and the introduction of Cesc Fabregas who would play a key part in the outcome. Fabregas missed on his own breakaway but his clever pass after a Dutch weak clearance while missing a defender (Heitinga was sent off for this second yellow in the 109th minute) to Iniesta became the cup winning goal (116). The other big sub, Torres, would go down with what appeared to be a hamstring while running alone on the wing just minutes before the final whistle.
Spain wins the cup and becomes the only team to do so after losing the opening game of the group stage (Spain 0-1 Switzerland). The other record setting performance is one you wouldn't expect: Spain wins the cup with the lowest goal scoring mark for the champ having put only 8 goals in the net in their 7 games. That also means that their opponents couldn't get past their possession and excellent defense either which is why they ended the World Cup with four straight clean sheets all of them being 1-0 victories.
Speaking of those clean sheets Iker Casillas, Spain's keeper wins the honor as the best of the keepers at the 2010 World Cup with the Golden Glove.
Germany's young star Thomas Muller wins the Golden Boot with his five goals and three assists and Uruguay's Diego Forlan was named the winner of the Golden Ball as the tournament's best player.
