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Beautiful game that unites all
By Bivash Mukherjee 2006-6-10

The excitement is palpable.

The long walk home on Thursday night seemed so much shorter as minutes ticked away for the opening whistle on what has come to be known as the greatest show on earth - for the moment at least.

The month-long soccer World Cup comes once in four years and Planet Earth decks herself in all her finery and color as she gets into carnival disposition that cuts across national boundaries, religions, castes, creeds and, yes, those damn politics too.

They stand united as one!

The mood around is one of jubilation and immense expectations as the finale unfolds on a much bigger stage following two years of intense qualifying competitions.

There are the obvious favorites as the 30-odd teams look for an upset. Remember how Roger Milla’s Cameroon ambushed Diego Maradona’s Argentina in the Italia 90 opener en route to becoming the first African nation to advance to the quarterfinal phase? And how a nation cried along with Roberto Baggio as he put his spot kick over the bar?

For the scriptwriters, there are stories aplenty as well.

At 38, Milla came out of retirement to enthrall a global audience with magical ball skills and a great team display that eventually won them the sobriquet “The Indomitable Lions.” Milla single-handedly put Africa on the world soccer map and to this day remains my hero.

In an era that continues to be ravaged by niggling wars, hunger, famine, et al, the festival of soccer, football or futbol - whatever you call it, offers a much-needed break to both the pugnacious and the irenic. War-torn states have been known to call a momentary ceasefire, while far away the only music to the ears appears to be that spirit-rapping cry of GOOOOAAAL…

Elsewhere, newshounds thrive on reports of thieves making off with valuables as the host sat glued to television sets; jailbreaks that are timed on crucial matches; kins coming to blows at the dinner table; and even exams that have few takers.

Much of the “game” is actually played out on the streets, in neighborhoods, bars and at chock-a-block roadside giant screens.

This is one for the fans, whose heart beats in rhythm with the players on the pitch as he weaves circles around defenders or takes off on a bewitching run to the goal.

Some call it fantasy football, made attractive by a player’s ability to improvise and break out into a celebratory dance after a goal.

Football fans are known to find beauty in a goalless draw if the match is otherwise rewarding while at the same time condemning a star player for any show of arrogance.

There is no other sporting event that I can think off that draws as much passion and emotion, and in such a frenzied manner, as the World Cup. One moment you are the enemy; next moment brother-in-arms!

Indeed, the ordeal of a fan here with China missing out on the spectacle will be all the more painful now as the tournament takes off and the spectacle is dished out into our daily diet. That it unites all classes of people is also a reflection of game’s far-reaching sway.

Where else would you find a corporate manager discovering his working class roots as he clamors in unison with the proletariat at the stadia?

It is another story altogether that the World Cup today is beyond the reach of the common folk.

However, that it remains the dreams of the multitudes is never in doubt at all.

The World Cup is as much a story of the triumph of a team, of individual brilliance, as much as the trials of the underdog. I, for one, will be rooting for the minnows in Germany, albeit from the cozy comforts of my drawing room but blissfully aware that the world will be as one, even if only momentarily.

Beautiful game that unites all by — The excitement is palpable. The long walk home on Thursday night seemed so much shorter as minutes ticked away for the opening whistle on what has come to be known as the greatest show on earth - for the moment at least.

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Italy shoot to top of the world
By Bivash Mukherjee 2006-7-10

THE Azzuri are on top of the world but this World Cup final will be remembered for Zinedine Zidane’s disgraceful exit that ended a brilliant career.

Whatever it was that provoked him to headbutt Marco Materazzi, Zidane’s dazzling career ended on a downer as millions across the world sat up late to bid adieu to one of the greatest masters of the game.

At 34, Zidane chose soccer’s premier event to display his incredible talent before calling it quits. There are very few today who are in the same league as him. He brought so much poise, grace and beauty with his moment on the pitch. Every move would liven up a stadium with “oohs and aahs.”

Alas, all the hard work down the ages was undone by a moment of madness on the pitch that he is likely to regret for the rest of his life.

The Italians obviously will have no complaints. They are deserved World Cup champions even though the final in Berlin lacked the spark of the semifinals.

The teams went into the match with even the bookies divided on the favorites to lift the cup.

France made it to the final despite a poor start to its World Cup campaign and had to wait until Zidane was back to his all-time best. In 2002, the Les Bleus, the defending champion then, were knocked out after the first round without finding the net even once.

The Italians, on the other hand, stood united in the face of match-fixing scandal back home and surprised many by their camaraderie. There was, off course, all that talk of revenge for the loss to France in the Euro 2000.

On that summer evening, David Trezeguet’s golden goal sent the Italians into mourning, who incidentally plies his trade in Serie A.

So there was understandable cause for alarm on the Italian bench when France was gifted with a penalty just minutes after the kickoff in Berlin.

Henry picked a long ball from Fabien Barthez and flicked it on to the path of Florent Malouda, who raced inside the box. Fabio Cannavaro and Marco Materazzi shut him out but the Lyon midfielder hit the turf and the Argentine referee pointed to the spot.

The replays, however, suggested another act of simulation that has marred this prestigious tournament.

Expectedly, Zidane stepped up and calmly slotted home.

The Italians were not about to give up and grabbed the equalizer minutes later with Materazzi outleaping the towering Patrick Vieira and heading home from Andrea Pirlo’s corner kick.

That was the best 20 minutes of the game.

Both the teams then preferred to sit back and wait for opportunities to strike home. With little play being made, there were just few to thrill the capacity crowd.

Henry had a couple of half-chances and Luca Toni had a goal disallowed for offside. Late in the second half, Buffon palmed away a spectacular goal-bound header from Zidane but it was obvious the winner would be decided on penalties.

Ironically, Trezeguet missed from the spot for France 鈥?the hero of Euro 2000 鈥?and Fabio Grosso once again grabbed the winner 鈥?and the trophy that has eluded them since 1982.

There was sadness at the way it all ended for France, but that is the way it goes 鈥?in life and in soccer.

With that, the curtains will be drawn on a month-long soccer extravaganza and a nationwide festivity comes to a roaring end.

Germany will soon start counting the costs with South Africa keeping a close tab on the post-Cup developments as the hangover subsides.

South African President Thabo Mbeki has promised to put up another great spectacle in 2010. But for now, all roads lead to Rome.

Shanghai Daily News

Italy shoot to top of the world by — The Azzuri are on top of the world but this World Cup final will be remembered for Zinedine Zidane’s disgraceful exit that ended a brilliant career.

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Home > Sport > Soccer Newspaper Edition

Zidane spot on as France through to final
By Bivash Mukherjee 2006-7-6

THE master showman was at it once again.Zinedine Zidane is probably enjoying the best moment of his glittering career at the fag end of his playing time as he crafted another French success — and a shot at glory.

The former Real Madrid maestro, who is bidding goodbye to the Beautiful Game after the final on July 9, blasted in a first-half penalty that was enough to see the 1999 champion through and a date with Italy in Berlin.

The teams meet again after the Euro 2000 final, which was won by France.
Chelseaman Ricardo Carvalho was guilty of bringing down Thierry Henry inside the box and Uruguayan referee Jorge Larrionda immediately pointed to the spot just after 30 minutes of action.

Portugal battled valiantly for the equalizer, grabbing much of the possession, but was unable to beat the Lilian Thuram-led defense despite frequent blunders from Fabien Barthez who had a terrible day under the bar.

The second semifinal in Munich did not produce the kind of excitement like the Italy-Germany game on Tuesday, but Luiz Felipe Scolari’s men had plenty of opportunities to grab the leveler but muffed them.

France started off well with Portugal’s Luis Miguel misjudging a long pass and France’s Florent Malouda sprinting away to set the tone of the match with less than a minute after the kickoff.

Cristiano Ronaldo was in the thick of action despite the loud boos that greeted him every time he touched the ball. He was the supplier for Deco who tested Barthez from 25 meters out in the fourth minute, and later to Maniche, who let fly from a distance but the ball sailed inches over the bar.

The game also bought Luis Figo and Zidane 鈥?two former Real “galacticos” face-to-face with each other but that did not stop them from tackling and shoving the other on the pitch. At the end of the match, they hugged and exchanged jerseys one last time in full view of the cheering public.

For the Portuguese, Ronaldo and Maniche had a good game but the Manchester United striker was guilty of going down the turf a bit too easily and drew loud jeers from the crowd, most of them unforgiving English fans who, not surprisingly, rooted for France yesterday.

They were obviously still upset over Ronaldo’s behavior that got Wayne Rooney the boot in the knockout round.

In fact, prior to going into the match, France coach Raymond Domenech was forced to play down comments of a “diving” Portuguese side.

France defender William Gallas had claimed in a news conference that Scolari’s side would “use every trick in the book and destabilize the Les Bleus with little fouls and diving.”

However, Portugal ultimately lacked the quality going forward as France preferred to sit back and defend, albeit dangerously, for most of the second half.

Italy was the first team to advance to the final on Tuesday when it beat host Germany 2-0 in Dortmund — the winning goals coming in the last two minutes of extra time.

Fabio Grosso scored in the 29th minute of extra time, while veteran Alessandro Del Piero the second a minute later to break German hearts.

If the Italians were watching the game, they would draw heart from Barthez’ lapses and it would not be a surprise if they have a go at him right from the start.

France struggled to make progress in the early rounds but won over its critics and fans after sublime performances 鈥?led by the reinvigorated Zidane — against Spain and Brazil.
On July 9, all roads will lead to Berlin as fans of the game will seek to bid adieu to one of the most gifted player the world has seen since Diego Maradona held his own on the greens in the nineties.

Will Zidane manage to outwit the pacy Italians once again however remains to be seen.

Zidane spot on as France through to final by — THE master showman was at it once again.Zinedine Zidane is probably enjoying the best moment of his glittering career at the fag end of his playing time as he crafted another French success — and a shot at glory.

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Schweinsteiger fires Germany into 3rd
By Bivash Mukherjee 2006-7-9

BASTIAN Schweinsteiger put up his immense talent on display yesterday in Stuttgart as Germany rounded off an impressive run at the World Cup with a 3-1 demolition of Portugal and a third-place finish as soccer’s premier tournament nears its finale.

The attacking Bayern Munich midfielder was party to all the goals. Two great second-half strikes killed the hitherto battling Portuguese. It was his free-kick as well that Armando Petit nicked into his own net for the second goal.

Nuno Gomes scored a consolation goal for Portugal in the 88th minute.

In the end, it was an entertaining night out for the fans — and some consolation for the host — as action shifts to Berlin tonight for soccer’s biggest prize.

Italy and France will battle it out for the ultimate honor that will also be Zinedine Zidane’s farewell match and other veterans as well.

The first half was entertaining, beautiful soccer with Portugal looking particularly good with more possession, getting forward and creating chances. Deco, Cristiano Ronaldo and Sabrosa Simao enjoyed a good rapport between themselves, frequently testing the Germans, and silencing all doubters that Portugal’s road to semifinals was a fluke.

Germany started aggressively as expected, trying to outpace its rivals with darting sprints to the box, but Portuguese keeper Ricardo was well-placed and palmed off all early shots and volleys with ease as the Euro finalists were forced to defend.

In the fifth minute itself, Sebastian Kehl had a good shot at the goal from near the penalty area but his ambitious attempt went inches wide. The Germans claimed a deserved handball against Nuno Valente that was turned down by the Japanese referee Toru Karnikawa.

Miroslav Klose followed soon after but was unable to find the target.

Having survived the initial onslaught, the Portuguese got their men in front with Deco being particularly dangerous, while Ronaldo and Simao clearly enjoying runs on the flanks.

On the half-an-hour mark, Deco picked a nice pass from Simao, turned, and curled the ball from yards that just missed the bar.

Minutes later, Ronaldo brilliantly dribbled past three defenders and then hit the turf, once again doing no credit to his reputation that has been a subject of intense debate at this World Cup.

The host upped the tempo in the second half with Portuguese substitute Petit looking out of sorts against the pacy Germans.

In the 56th minute, Schweinsteiger dashed past two defenders and darted to the middle of the field before unleashing a 25-meter volley that seemed to take the Portuguese keeper Ricardo by surprise, who, until then, had a brilliant outing under the posts.

The Bayern midfielder was involved in the second goal as well as he watched Petit nick into his own net from his free-kick.

His third was identical to the first.

Schweinsteiger let go off another long shot in the 78th minute that sailed past the outstretched hands of Ricardo as the Portuguese suddenly looked deflated.

Substitutes Luis Figo and Nuno Gomes then got it right to snatch a goal back but it was too little too late, but ruined German keeper Oliver Kahn’s almost certainly his last night out in national colors.

Historically, third-place matches have been high-scoring game with focus invariably on the offense rather than defense. With less pressure and virtually nothing at stake but few ounces of pride, teams have generally played free-flowing soccer.

In 1958, France beat West Germany 6-3 with France’s Just Fontaine scoring four goals in the match to take his tournament tally to a record 13 goals.
That record still stands.

Croatia, which made its World Cup debut in 1998, surprised many with a semifinal berth where it lost to eventual champion France. Then, in the third-place game, it beat the Netherlands 2-1 with Davor Suker scoring his sixth goal of the tournament.

In 2002, Turkey’s Hakan Sukur scored 11 seconds into the game against co-host South Korea and it was the Turks who walked away 3-2 winners despite being dwarfed by the South Koreans.

The consolation game invariably fields reserve players or is seen as a farewell match for veterans about to say goodbye to their international careers.

In Stuttgart, there was more — the future of two coaches as well. Germany’s Juergen Klinsmann has yet to make up his mind despite an avalanche of support in favor of him from all quarters, insisting that he carry on the work that he started in building a new outfit with his 20-somthings.

As German legend Franz Beckenbauer put it: he’s formed a young team that he trusts and that trusts him. It would be a terrible shame if he would go back to California. He has to carry on this work.

On the other hand, Portugal’s Luiz Felipe Scolari has avoided making any comments on his future despite mounting speculation on his impending departure. But after leading Portugal to the Euro 2004 final and World Cup semifinals, it goes without saying that the Portuguese FA would be more than happy to continue the successful association.

Schweinsteiger fires Germany into 3rd by — BASTIAN Schweinsteiger put up his immense talent on display yesterday in Stuttgart as Germany rounded off an impressive run at the World Cup with a 3-1 demolition of Portugal and a third-place finish as soccer’s premier tournament nears its finale.

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