It
was on ordinary Sunday on May 11th 2014 for most people. The same does not
apply for fellow football fanatics including myself. This date concluded the
English Premier league which we Asians share an enormous passion for.
Manchester City Football Club claimed the coronation in another memorable
season. Weekends will not be the same for football fans until the kick-off of
the following season that resumes in August as it seems like it is years away.
However, there is a World Cup to look forward to. The heat of it has not kick in as many are having their eyes glued on the European Cup Final between two rival clubs from Madrid. After the final on 24th May 2014, selected players only have less than two weeks to join their international teammates for World Cup duty. Soccer websites were constantly tormented by fans to know which players have been selected to represent their countries. Injuries, lack of form and undisputed relationships between players and coaches play a big part in finalising a squad capable of making history at the World Cup. First and foremost, the biggest tournament in the world is being held at Brazil, the place where people are born with football in them. Many regarded them as favourites led by young prodigy Neymar but not in my eyes though after seeing their finalised squad. I will get to that more in a while. As usual, for some reason or another England seemed to be favourites again alongside Germany, Spain and host Brazil. As a Netherlands supporter since 2004, pressure seems low this time though. Not many are expecting the Dutch to do well this time. Personally, a similar heartbreak from the previous world cup where they lost narrowly in the 2010 final to Spain will be too much to bear. This is a common but weird passion we Southeast Asians share. We thoroughly support a nation in which we have no bond with whatsoever. Thankfully Asian nations such as Japan, South Korea and Iran are good enough to represent Asia.
However, there is a World Cup to look forward to. The heat of it has not kick in as many are having their eyes glued on the European Cup Final between two rival clubs from Madrid. After the final on 24th May 2014, selected players only have less than two weeks to join their international teammates for World Cup duty. Soccer websites were constantly tormented by fans to know which players have been selected to represent their countries. Injuries, lack of form and undisputed relationships between players and coaches play a big part in finalising a squad capable of making history at the World Cup. First and foremost, the biggest tournament in the world is being held at Brazil, the place where people are born with football in them. Many regarded them as favourites led by young prodigy Neymar but not in my eyes though after seeing their finalised squad. I will get to that more in a while. As usual, for some reason or another England seemed to be favourites again alongside Germany, Spain and host Brazil. As a Netherlands supporter since 2004, pressure seems low this time though. Not many are expecting the Dutch to do well this time. Personally, a similar heartbreak from the previous world cup where they lost narrowly in the 2010 final to Spain will be too much to bear. This is a common but weird passion we Southeast Asians share. We thoroughly support a nation in which we have no bond with whatsoever. Thankfully Asian nations such as Japan, South Korea and Iran are good enough to represent Asia.
 |
| The defending champions~Spain |
As
the deadline to submit the finalised 23 man squad for each nation on the 2nd
of June was came, controversy spread across the soccer websites with fans and
players themselves showing their dissatisfaction of the selection. I will
breakdown certain heavyweight nations with some surprising inclusions and on
whom they entirely omitted which could have been a big difference during the
tournament.
Brazil
Snubbed:
Miranda, Felipe Luis (Atletico Madrid), Lucas (PSG) and Coutinho (Liverpool)
Surprise
inclusion: Paulinho (Tottenham), Jo (Atletico Mineiro) and Fred (Fluminese)
Verdict:
The Atletico pair was part of the best defensive European team but not good
enough for Scolari’s eyes which may have avoided the infamous 1-7 trashing by
the Germans.
 |
| Miranda (left) and Felipe Luis with the La Liga title |
Argentina
Snubbed:
Carlos Tevez (Juventus)
Surprise
Inclusion: Gago (Boca Juniors)
Verdict:
Could have won them the World Cup with his gritty determination. If only he was
at Higuain place for the one on one chance in the final.
 |
| Tevez: "I did not make the squad?" |
Spain
Snubbed:
No one really as each one of them is simply world class.
Surprise
Inclusion: Fernando Torres (Chelsea)
Verdict:
Probably younger players such as Koke and Isco could have been in the starting
XI instead of the ageing Xavi and Xabi Alonso. Oh boy, how they found their
replacements already.
Italy
Snubbed:
Giuseppe Rossi (Fiorentina)
Surprise
Inclusion: Antonio Cassano (Parma)
Verdict:
Unlucky with injuries to their more creative players such as El Sharaway and
Montolivo both from AC Milan and it proved costly as they struggled to create
chances throughout the tournament.
Germany
Snubbed:
Stephen Kiessling (Bayer Leverkusen)
Surprise
Inclusion: Lukas Podolski (Arsenal)
Verdict:
Could have paid the price for leaving out their only on form and proper centre
forward but survived because of the embarrassing richness of talented
midfielders. Marco Reus, Ilkay Gundogan, the Bender twins, and Schmelzer will
be kicking themselves for being injured and missing out altogether.
 |
| Hard Luck : Reus getting injured on the last warm up match |
England
Snubbed:
Michael Carrick (Manchester United) and Ashley Cole (AS Roma)
Surprise
Inclusion: Frank Lampard (Chelsea)
Verdict:
There is no one in England better than Carrick in receiving the ball from
defenders with his back to goal and spreading passes forwards while keeping
possession for the team. Roy Hodgson failed to see this in otherwise an
exciting selection for England fans. Ashley Cole, with his experience, would
have done a better shift than Leighton Baines though.
 |
| Michael Carrick ~A midfield freak indeed |
Belgium
Snubbed:
Radja Nainggolan (AS Roma)
Surprise
Inclusion: Adnan Januzaj (Manchester United)
Verdict:
The dark horses of the tournament with almost everyone wanting to see them do
well. Lack of experience in big tournaments cost them dearly in the latter
stages.
France
Snubbed:
Nasri, Gael Clichy (Manchester City)
Surprise
Inclusion: Patrice Evra (Manchester United)
Verdict:
If not for the injury to Ribery, France may have caused more problems to
Germany in the quarter finals clash. Add Nasri into this French equation and
their chances for a semi-final berth were a real possibility.
 |
| Nasri (right) to Ribery : "Coming over to watch the World Cup with me?" |
It’s
the eve of the world cup kick-off with fans sharing their predictions of which
nation will flop and which will acclaim ultimate glory. Many of my friends
raised their eyebrows when I predicted Argentina to conquer Rio come July 12th
in the final. I backed my choice with obvious reasons that they are a South
American team used to the surroundings and climate, an inform Di Maria after
his champions league final heroics and they have Lionel Messi, a player which
every country dream to have. Low expectations might just work to their
advantage. An hour before kick-off, seats in every food stall with screens are
being filled up, sofa sets at home are occupied and the fever was about to
start. All the talks, predictions and build up have come down to this, a month
of football orgasm for fanatic fans.
 |
| The Kick off ~ Brasil vs Croatia (12th June 2014) |
More
to follow….
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