Well the day has finally arrived and for a whole month it is unlikely that will have nothing to watch on tv. Bring it on!
It's time for tv and print journalists to stop talking about subways, security and which teams have been spotted on the beach and time to put the product on the pitch.
I caught a little bit of the Federation's Cup held in Brazil last summer and the atmosphere was crazy when Brazil were playing and the Selacao rose to the occasion playing expansive positive football. Let's hope it is infectious and in this world cup we are not faced with teams lining up in two rows of 5 as soon as possession is lost.
Let's get back to playing soccer the way it was meant to be played, by men (or women) who like to compete. Folks who like to get stuck in a tackle, force a turnover, burst forward into space, take players on, etc. etc. Let's get rid of zonal defending where the most important part is timing your run away from the player you are marking while thrusting your arm in the air and waving it about like a samba dancer. The off-side trap is for people who do not have the confidence to defend one on one.
Let's get away from the art of conning a referee. If someone gives a little tug on your shirt, fight through it! Isn't that why you spend those hours in the gym? Don't flop on the ground and roll over.
If you get a little kick or a knock, shake it off and keep going. Imagine you are back at school with no ref and you pulled the stunt that Dzecko pulled for Man City v Everton. Face down in the grass for 4 minutes because his team was winning, there were only a few minutes remaining and he tweaked his shoulder. Try that on the playground and by the time you get up you'd be alone and recess would be over. There should be a rule that if you go down and require the game to be stopped more than once, you are out. This would also get rid of that nasty tendency to kick the ball out of play every time one of these fakers get's an apparent injury.
Ronaldo. Don't get me started. It's a team game pal, not just another opportunity for you to build your brand. Keep your shirt on, please.
Who will be the most cynical team at the world cup? My bet is Honduras if their 'friendly' against England is anything to go by. Numerous 2 footed tackles, 4-5 yellows , a red and one sub every 3 minutes for the last 20 minutes of the game to try and hold on to a 0-0. Yes it will be fun to watch Honduras.
Dark horse of the tournament: Chile. I fancy them to oust Holland, who frankly, if they are relying on Wesley Schneider to carry them forward have sadly lost the plot. For Holland, they must rely on the flopper Arjen Robben and the finisher Robin Van Persie.
Brazil v Croatia. A bit tighter than one would expect, but ultimately a Brazil win 2-1 or 2-0 with Neymar and Fred getting the goals.
Bring it on!
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