It grips everyone. Even if you hate 'the beautiful game', you will still follow the Football World Cup. It's magical how this unifying force, that is football, entrances the world with a spell that sinks right into the heart, and then the passion, the excitement, the energy, the devotion, all come out like gushing water bursting out from a shattered dam. The sheer emotion and euphoria when your team scores, and pure pain when your team loses is something that's priceless. To me football is purely sublime. Do you feel the same?
My team, - Arsenal all the way. Their fast-paced attacking football and thrilling one touch play has won my love. But as this is a World Cup post, let me not dwell too much on them - but just one thing - hell today will be one of my most memorable days yet, if they lift the coveted Champions League, and kick some Barca butt.
I got converted into a football fan after the 1998 World Cup. Brazil's samba made me a Brazilian Indian, atleast in the sphere of football. Well not really a glory supported, I have supported Brazil ever since 1998. 2002 was truly majestic. Even though Brazil were a little lack-lustre that year, they pulled through remarkably and captured their 5th crown. I love them. This year, unlike 2002, Brazil are the favourites. With pace, flair and 'attack' written all over, they will only lose in the World Cup because they are too darn good. I hope not, but thats the tendency. The favourites have too much pressure and that pulls them down. Ronaldinho and Adriano are going to be the stars of this World Cup, and its evident that no team can match Brazil's brilliance. But the World Cup is known for its twist, and I just hope that Brazil won't be a part of it.
Here are my predictions:- (well, also 'hopes')
WINNERS - BRAZIL
(Yeah the clear favourites, both on paper and gamewise, so don't argue. Whatever you could argue about, I have already put in my earlier synopsis)
BEST PLAYER - RONALDINHO
(Don't even argue about this one, ok maybe Henry might give him a little competition, but the Arsenal Maestro doesn't seem to know how to perform for his country)
GOLDEN BOOT - ADRIANO
(Yeah ok, fight on, this award is always a surprise)
SILVER BOOT - MICHAEL OWEN
(Yeah I know he is out of form and all, but I won't be surprised if he comes back with a bang - he is quality and one of the only players I like from England)
BEST COACH - LUIS FILLEPE SCOLARI
(I have a lot of respect for this man, especially for his great exploits with Brazil in 2002. Portugal are lucky to have him as their manager. But the all time best manager ever, according to me, still is Arsene Wenger)
BIGGEST SURPRISE - THEO WALCOTT
(If this guy shows his true potential of a wonder kid in this year's World Cup, I won't be happy for England, but boy I would be counting my beloved Arsenal's blessings.)
MOST PROMISING TEAM - IVORY COAST
(Eboue, Toure and Drogba might produce some magic, and there's a high possibility of them emulating 2002's South Korea)
BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT - GERMANY
(I know this sounds harsh, but I feel they don't have the props to make it big in this tournament, despite the home support. I therefore feel they will be the biggest disappointment of this World Cup)
THE TEAM I HATE THE MOST - ENGLAND
(Call me hypocritical, but I feel they are over-rated. They have never really 'performed', and their captain, Mr Becks, is especially frustrating)
MOST OVER-RATED PLAYER - RUUD VAN NISTELROOY
(Most of his goals are tap-ins. He is known for his silly, malicious attitude, and this World Cup he is going to be as frustrating. According to me, he's a born loser. Yeah he will score some dull goals this World Cup, but he will also prove how boring a footballer he is. Posh's Becks placed a close second for this award, by the way. Please feel free to differ)
You know what you need to do, you need to get gripped in this football frenzy. What do you feel? Who do you support? You can do the following to be heard:
1. Copy-paste the 'predictions' bit onto your comments, and give your predictions, with suitable reasons.
2. If that's too long and boring, just comment about your favourite team, or against anything you don't bloody with agree with on this post.
3. This you have to do. Create your own Fantasy World Cup team at http://fpli.premierleague.com/ and join this private league whose code is 14426-3932. Let your football wisdom unfold.
I hope you do atleast one of the above. Till later - blog on.
Keep up the football spirit and Brazil - kick some ass.
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12 comments:
Winners - Brazil
(Guess it'll be the same for most people)
Runners Up - Spain (if they don't meet Brazil till the end)
(I know they never perform well in big tournaments, but I think they can go all the way)
Best Player - Ronaldinho
(Same reason)
Golden Boot - Andriy Shevchenko
(The guy's class and the rest of the team isn't bad - look how they played in the qualifiers)
Silver Boot - Thierry Henry
(I have a feeling he might turn around his international form, especially considering the form he is in)
Best Surprise (Team) - Australia
(Though they just scraped in to the finals, they could make a difference in the tournament itself)
Best Surprise (Player) - Peter Crouch
(I know most of you think nothing of him, but as Rooney and maybe Owen look likely to be unfit in time, he may make the most of hiss chance to be in the limelight)
Best New Comer - Lionel Messi
(He might take Argentina far and who knows, maybe even steel the limelight from Ronaldinho!)
Biggest Disappointment - Germany
(Especially considering the way they have been playing recently)
Most over-rated player - David Beckham
(He's never inform .... on the playing field that is)
ok, well im not the greatest football fan ever, but ive had my fair share of football craziness in my life! sure, i want brazil to win, and i definitely want spain to do well (such a dissapointment in 2002!). and ronaldinho is gonna kick serious english butt (cant wait for that!). but as for tonite's match.... sorry, its barca all the way. i bet u nething barca'll win. barca's the best and u know it.
ello Anish!First let me say something. As some who loves Arsenal I'd like to say that while I was terribly dissapointed that they lost, I'm glad it was to a team as great as Barca. A terrific match as was expected, Arsenal showed incredible grit at the back and though they couldn't convert the chances they had in goal, they played some good football. Our very own champions league final in Aquila vs. Orion should also be a thriller except due to contractual disagreements ART will not be airing it! Shame, I know.
Ah but the world cup! Should be a good one and no, I have not gievn up on Germany. Theyve had some trouble finding themselves but the form of some of the players (Old jens among them) should make a difference! I would hope everyone looks out for their young midfeilder Bastian Schweinsteiger.(forgive any spelling errors but there rnt enough hitlers anymore!)
This guy's been excellent for Bayern and I hope he transfers his form to the national squad too. Walcott could make a difference though if they do put Gerrard up front that would really be interesting to watch! Brazil- win or lose are one exciting team to watch! Argentina too, should show us what's made them Brazil's greatest rivals now that Heinze and Messi are back!
Anyway Anish you know as well as any other that the football can never really be predicted!
Goodbye for now, until we here the starting whistle.
Ta!
The united states is going to do well, I would say maybe even finalists
to Govind and all others
what do u knw about Beckham....do any of u guys watch the LA LIGA... by the way Real madrid has come second in the division. therefore beckham must contributed something or the other to make real come to that position.
U can't make ure judgement based on two or three matches...or maybe like henry his int. performances arn't that good lately. i agree that he is over rated by the media..(c'mon they put a ghost in his mansion just to get him on the headlines)..if u guys believe all this shit ...then i think ure stupid.
i agree he doesnot deserve the captainship of england...there are far more better captains on the team...but the coach(who has knowledge of football far more than any of us) must have made his decision based upon some qualities of a leader seen in beckham.
i agree he doesnot have talent or skill like ronaldhino...but beckham is different....he is not a selfish player... he makes the most beautiful crosses that create probably more chances of scoring than solo runs made by others.
he is determined and does not give up till the very end.... if u see him play u would never see him lose the ball becos of a bad pass and i think that accuracy and skill is what makes him different and my best player.
and in a way he promotes football world wide by being the most influential player and a football icon.
i think England has a great chance of winning the world cup if they just get to co-ordinate well among themselves and 4get all the club rivalry.
this is just my opinion and didnot mean to hurt any1.
WINNERS - England
a spectacular midfield and defence - better than any1 elses in the tournament. (even brazil)....attack however leaves some doubt with rooney know injured but crouch ,owen and even lennon could spring a lot of surpirises.
(BEST PLAYER - Gerrad - deserves to be the skipper of the england side. in insparational form lately. ronaldhino - yeah he'll be good....his reputation has grown so much by now that most of the teams will resort to man marking him to keep him out of the game.
GOLDEN BOOT - Owen
an excellent finsiher ...possibly doesnt hav the shot of adriano or the dribblin of ronaldhino..but his finishin instinct cannot be matched by anyone except van nistelrooy.
SILVER BOOT - van nistelrooy or ronaldo - yeahh im weird:s
BEST COACH - bruce arena - coach of USA - probably wiill lead usa to the quarters or semis
MOST PROMISING TEAM - IVORY COAST
ummmm yeahh i think tho...good physical aproach whcih shuld deter some of the european sides
(BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT - BRAZIL
with all the hype abt ronaldhino..he will not deliver and choke bigitme like he did in the CL finals. adriano is one to watch...as well as their freekick specailist juhnino....a weak defence and edmiision is nto good enough a defensive midfileder....will go home in the 2nd round or quarters
THE TEAM I HATE THE MOST - ITALY
idiots!...just sit on their ass and defend...and play on the counterattack...no attackin entertaining play..very boprin to watch the italians
MOST OVER-RATED PLAYER - toughie...ummm will go withh...thierry henry (at the international level) ...coz he never ever ever ever ever scores for france...and also miroslav klose maybe.
ello again! Romit, Beckham's contribution to real has been less this season because he's been on the bench for some pretty long stretches. Despite his brace in their final match(which they lost) bear in mind that Real Madrid have as a team not won any silverware for 2 years now! ANY! For a club that big it's a big deal! Their performance in the champion's league spoke for itself, and even the King's cup they did nothing. As for what you said about him being a good spokesman for football I would have to agree. His colognes and streaks, though for the wrong reasons, do create a great deal of interest in the sport.
Also to Aaron and Anish, I would agree with you on the Ivory coast's chances, though you'd have to admit their group is an extremely tough one!It's a shame because either way, if they get by or don't, one great team is going to drop out!
WINNERS - ENGLAND
(For once I feel the team is really solid apart from just on paper - lampard, gerrard, rooney, cole, campbell are all in great form)
BEST PLAYER - RONALDINHO
(Don't even argue about this one, ok maybe Henry might give him a little competition, but the Arsenal Maestro doesn't seem to know how to perform for his country)
GOLDEN BOOT - ADRIANO
(Yeah ok, fight on, this award is always a surprise)
SILVER BOOT - ADEBAYOR
(DONT EVEN ASK! =P)
BEST COACH - MARCELLO LIPPI
(Italys coach - has really showed the italians that theres more to football than just defence - the italians have learnt how to attack now =P)
BIGGEST SURPRISE - CESC FABREGAS
(I wont be surprised if Arsenals beloved Cesc shows 'em all who's best at threading passes through defences ~ Great talent that. Walcott? I'm not sure - havnt seen the bugger play =o)
MOST PROMISING TEAM - USA
(I thnk the States have got together a really amazng team - theyll be the surprise package~ McBride is a cool player =)
BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT - PORTUGAL
(After doing well in the Euro 04, I have the inside feeling the portugal will slip up)
THE TEAM I HATE THE MOST - ARGENTINA
(Just HATE all their players and their retard hairdos....hope crespo kills himself)
MOST OVER-RATED PLAYER - RUUD VAN NISTELROOY
(Most of his goals are tap-ins. He is known for his silly, malicious attitude, and this World Cup he is going to be as frustrating. According to me, he's a born loser. Yeah he will score some dull goals this World Cup, but he will also prove how boring a footballer he is. How I agree...)
i love portugal...
...thats all
okay, I'm not that sure about my Beckham prediction
yeah, he isnt playing that badly..is he?
but i still dont like him. All he can do is kick. but then hell, he kicks really well.
hey germany did pretty well! Go Podolski! Woo!!!!!
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