FIFA World Cup 2006 - My 5 cents worth of opinion

FIFA World Cup 2006

FIFA [Federation Internationale de Football Association]

It finally beckons ... 4 years after seeing Cafu chose to stand on a table to receive the FIFA World Cup trophy in the final of World Cup 2002 those sleepless nite is back haunting us. Unlike Japan/Korea 2002 which has more suitable timezone for us to watch EACH and EVERY live game, Germany 2006 does not offer such luxury therefore those Livita's,Red Bull's and Nescafe's (some maybe Ali Cafe's) are much needed now ... much more than ever !!!

Seeing the hypes around WC 2006, I would also like to pen down my 5 cents worth of opinion on the upcoming World Cup. Basically its Kwan's (or someone say TKKwan or Ah Kwan or Keong Keong) view on the upcoming WC.

1. The Teams To Watch


Brazil (World Ranking: 1)

What more I can say ? I have always been a Brazillian fan. The way their football was played ... 1 word can never describe how the play their football ... amazing ? magical ? fascinating ? one superlative word of ONLY will do injustice to the Brazillian way of football. I admit that I am a bias attacking football fan [ Attack is the best form Defense] and Brazillian way of attacking football is simply out of this world. Especially with Ronaldo,Adriano,Ronaldinho,Kaka and Robinho leading their attack ... their name alone simply makes my mouth waterish ...
However, every team has a weakness and the mighty brazillians has indeed ... in their defense. Well, history tells that the Brazilians were never famous for their defensive line [ unlike Germany and Italia] even their wingbacks are attacking prone ... with only Lucio seems the ONLY hope to cover against the Rooney's and Henry's ... the towering defender is deemed as the ONLY capable defender that can actually defend.

Probable Lineup (4-4-2):

Dida (GK),
Cafu (DR), Lucio (DC), Juan (DC), Roberto Carlos (DL),
Emerson (DMC),
KaKa (MR), Ze Roberto(ML), Ronaldinho (AMC)

Ronaldo(CF), Adriano(CF)

Dida will be the last man standing in between of the Brazillian goal posts. The ACMilan keeper seems to get the nod ahead of Marcos. Last man Lucio will be the heart in Brazilian defense. The towering defender seems reliable so far but sometimes tend to make silly mistakes which can cost the Brazilians. Juan will get the nod ahead of Roque Junior who was not picked for the team to Germany. Not much can be said about him but hopefully he will not be another Junior Baiano in WC 98.
In terms of attack I believe Carlos Alberto Pereira will focus on the wingbacks to fast track the ball upwards to Ronaldinho who will be the playmaker for the Brazillians. Pacey Roberto Carlos though already looked that aged has caught up with him might still deliver the usual busting runs from left back to overlap the opponent. Ze Roberto will feature as the Left Winger and i presume that he might make diagonal runs to the centre to cover for the extra space in the centre allowing Carlos to move freely on the left side.
The same can also be said on the right, Cafu will function as the wingback for the team on the right side ... of late he tends to slow down a little in terms of pace hence there are possibility that his place will be challenged by the younger and pacey Cicinho. Kaka will more or less play on the right role and i assume that he will move the the center of midfield just ahead of Emerson to make cutting passes to either strikers. Besides that, he might also bring the ball to the far corner to force a long pass ... Some might argue Robinho suits better in the right wing because he is pacey .. thats a dilemma for Carlos Alberto Pareira .. not me
Knowing that their full attacking flair might make them vulnerable, Emerson might be despatched to cover central midfield. A last minute callup to replace Romario in WC 1998, Emerson has been ever present in this position and his role this time around would be to clamp down the attacking midfilders or Strikers before they move within 12 yards.
Ronaldinho, the hottest footballer on the planet ... Brazil will heavily rely on his skills, wit and wizardry to open up the opponent defense as he does best for Barcelona. His cut thru passes or little chips will prove decisive in delivering the ball to heavily guarded defense. He can also whack the ball from the edge of the box ...

Ronaldo "The Phenomenon" has been out of shape. Though we cannot compare him now with the Phenomenon that wows the world 8 years ago ... he still proves that he is one of the most complete strikers in the world (Finishing, skillful but then he might lose his pace due to his weight). Adriano "The Emperor" will be another choice for the Brazillians strikeforce to net the goals in. Big size and strong on airballs he can also whip a venomous kick on the ball anywhere he wants ...

My Opinion: Not many people wants to associate themselves with the apparent and overwhelming favorites hence they chose a lesser opponent as their choice. But for me,why chose second best whereas the apparent winner is so obvious. But then again this is just my 5 cents worth of opinion ... rite.






Netherlands(World Ranking:3)

Much has been said on anak buah's of Marco Van Basten. No doubt they are the most complete team that will fly to Germany. In fact, the "oranje" are touted as "the next supportable" team after the Brazilians. Well those views doesnt come without any facts supporting them. Qualifying "stylishly" from their group the team comprises of exciting young guns in every department. Gone are the days of Stam, Seedorf and Kluiverts ... but the oranje relies on Robbens, Van Der Vaart, Makaay and controversially NistleRooy. The Dutch have quality in each and every department in their team. Added with Total Football (10 men up, 10 men down - if van Basten chooses to play so) Dutch are certainly a force to be reckon with.

For me, I would say that the balls will come from Robben and van Der Vaart to Ruud to killoff with his finishing prowess. We cannot discount Roy Makaay presence in the penalty box as well. Van Bommel will lead in midfield and maybe together with Cocu who will add more depth into midfield the Dutch engine will hopefully be able to generate much opportunities for their strikers to tuck in easy balls.
Edwin van Der Sar will helm between the goalpost tis time post Stam but maybe Mathijsen and Krmkamp will be his cover before the giant keeper comes out to save his team the blushes.

Dark Horses


Argentina:Riquelme, Messi, Crespo, Tevez, Saviola, Heinze, Mascherano, Aimar etc ... Another South American Powerhouse this time coached byJose Pekerman. The Argentines will attack will come deep in their midfield heart in the shape of Villareal playmaker Juan Roman Riquelme. Even wihtout him, Pablo Aimar will certainly prove to be another source of Argentines attack. Tevez and Crespo will just need to wait for those long ball passes and give them a connecting stinging kick to end it up on the opponent net. Messi touted as the next Maradona will also be a nuisance in the opponents half with his skills and pace. Argentina is a team we cannot take away from the list of the contenders

Italia: One of the big and performing teams in World Cup. Their 2002 setbacks has surely been put behind and maestro Marcello Lippi will certainly draw up something for the Azzuri's. We do not expect the Italians to defocus from their normal defensive mindset moreover Lippi is famous for playing defensively during his heydays in Juventus[hey this guys wins lots of Schudettos for the Fat Lady so I guess his medals speaks out loud what this guy has achieved in Serie A]. The Italians has the mindset of "If you dont concede, you will not lose" which forms their backbone in their defense with the likes of world class defenders in Nesta, Cannavaro. Zambrotta will be stinging with his busting runs in right flank. My choice for the World's Best Keeper in Buffon will feature in his first WC after his last minute injury last time around in 2002. Do not fancy their attack will be much interesting but most likely they will come from old guards Totti and Del Piero. Gilardino and Luca Toni will be their strikers to be dispense in case they really want to find the net.

Germany: History has taught us the might of homeground advantage, moreover football fanatics nations. This will be the main factor that the Germans will be banking on if they are to find success since their last kiss on the trophy back in 1990 (West Germany). Coincidently Juergen Klinsman is the man who herald from the winning team and he is trying to mimic Franz Beckenbauer "The Kaiser" footstep of winning both as player and manager. Much has been happening in the camp especially on Klinsman refusal to leave his current home in US to spend more time in Germany with his team. Critics are also skeptical about his attacking play compared to a more disciplined and patient defensive to attacking build up style which the Germans are famous for. The "Ultimate Football Machine" will be led by Michael Ballack who will be their playmaker and the hope of the whole Germany will rest solely on him with youngsters to support him in Schweinsteiger



France:Oh My missuer's ! How can we forget' the Les Bleus'. Zizou is back mastering their engine room. However this time around we cannot expect much wizardry from our aged magician though his influence and trickster are second to none in this world. Barthez "The Clown" will be the doing acrobatic saves like he used to be since 1998. Viera will also play a big role in shrugging off attacks or runs from the center. However Le' King Henry will be the player to watch. The Best Striker [ i think this is still an understatement] in the World will find himself celebrating again like 1998 if he can prove his worth but outpacing his markers and putting the ball in the net coz this guy can put the ball wherever he wants .. thats true u know.

England: oh England aka the most over-rated national team in the World. My oh my, this team of Porche, Ferrari, Lamborghini driving millionaires are like the superstars of football. On paper, England has the best set of players (?) that they can ever assemble since 1966 and this is deemed as their best chance to bring the cup to the games homeland. Sven Goran Erikkson who will be in charged for his last international outing will hope that his $$ career in England fruits something out of his 5 years helm in England. The usual suspects Beckham will fly-in his laser guided long passes to Owen or if fit already Rooney. John Terry will feature in the heart of England defense and we hope that Rio Ferdinand can keep fis focus on the game 100% entire 90 minutes for every game. Two of England best technically gifted central midfield Gerard and Lampard is Sven's biggest headache in making them able to play together. Lampard doesnt seem his usual self like his days in Chelsea while Gerard seems like lost in the middle of the field. Joe Cole might be need to burst up the left side with his tricks and pace while David Beckham just needs to launch his laser-guided precision long passes to search for Owen who will outpace his defenders but then again his finishing looks unconvincing. England's hope lies on the shoulders of wonderkid Wayne Rooney who is still nursing his leg injury but will most likely play in this edition of WC2006. The goals will most likely come from this influential player who never say die attitude will hopefully bear fruit in England's outing this time around.

2.Players to watch

My choice of 6 players to watch might be a little controversial especially with the inclusion of Cristiano Ronaldo and Messi ahead of more established players like Torres "El Nino", Schenchenko, Riquelme, Raul,Robben .. etc and the list goes. Forgive me for being bias to Man Utd players and skillful players as well ... this is my assessment on each player.


Ronaldinho Gaucho:Hottest player in the world now. Has all the characteristics of a legend in the making. FIFA Player Of The Year twice in a row speaks the accolades worthy the name of Ronaldhinho. His skills can only be dreamt by the common but this guy turned them into reality on the field [without camera tricks]. His influence and presence alone will frightened those weak hearted ones and him being the playmaker of Brazil will make his markers enduring their worst nightmares. With him around, another Brazilians success looms large.


Micheal Ballack: The influenctial skipper of the German team. He will play a vital role in the German's engine room opening up gaps around enemies defense area. An outing without Ballack will spell disaster for Germany because they does not have any effective attacking players right now.






Thiery Henry: Le' King. If the source of France goal is to come from one single source ... you have to bet the only one to deliver them are Henry. Pace, skill, reading of game,flair ... Henry is touted as the most complete striker in the world right now with only Andriy Schevchenko to be realistically compared to him at thie moment. He can dizzle from the side flank into the centre in the penalty box before unleashing a thunderous shot passing the helpless keepers. His slicing passes at the same time proves that striker aside, he can help to open the gap for his striking partner [most probably Trezeguet] to run the ball home. WC 2006 will be the stage where Le' King cements his status as the greatest striker of current time.

Lionel Messi: Touted as the next Diego Armando Maradona, some might argue why little Messi got the nod ahead of much established player like Riquelme. Well Messi has shown great promise as the one who will eventually ascend the throne left by Maradona. Great skills and pacey. Played and integral part in Barcelona's all conquering team this season and I believe he will continue where he left from Spain to Germany





Wayne Rooney: Manchester United wonderkid, the hope of the entire nation falls on the very shoulder of this lad. At 20, he basically achieved world class status as a player. Very strong physically, he can crash through the toughest defenders with his run. Also very good with shoots from the edge of the box. However his most favoured characteristics is his never say die attitude towards the game. Played an instrumental part in Manchester United. Currently still nursing his leg injury but most probably will be with the England squad,World Cup 2006 will be the stage where Rooney boy proves once and for all that his place belongs with the best of the best.

Cristiano Ronaldo: Another wonderkid from Manchester United, this might prove to be the most controversial pick on the players to watch but I am bias towards skillful and pacey players and Cristiano Ronaldo has both. His skills are amongst the best of the elites even comparable to those of Ronaldinho. Has very quick pace and combining it with his skills he is a menace to his markers. His typical quick stepovers as well as his sidesteps are just his normal typical steps. However this lad tends to overdo things clowning around his opponent might invite unwanted tackles which might shackles his WC campaign rather early. Also needs to learn on his football brains. But on the day which spells CRISTIANO RONALDO it also spells PORTUGAL

3. Adidas vs Nike: Battle of the Sportswear Giants

It has always been a wage of war between sportswear giants during this times of the football calendar. Well one has to admit that the lucrative market of football sportwear is like a goldmine. These companies basically needs to capture the market and World Cup 2006 offers the arena where these giants can cross swords .. well literally of course. Knowing that the best way to advertise your brand to the market is to have the football stars themselves to endorse the product and both companies did no waste time to sign the best players under their sponsorship deal to promote their products.


adidas: Drew first blood by becoming the official sportswear for FIFA World Cup for some time. adidas has long been in the football apparels market and was the leader before Nike threatens its very existense. adidas brand focused on quality of its products. It was proven when Predator boots revolutionized the how football boots should look like. Designed for exquisite ball control and greater long pass range Predator line has took the football world by storm. I remembered my footballing days in 1998 where everyone talks about Predator Accelarator. I have the luxury of trying it a couple of times and it really felt good. Extremely excellent ball control and I can bend really bend the ball like Beckham. In line with their quality approach, adidas has also selected only those of quality under their sponsorship with David Beckham leading the pack, Ballack,Raul,Saviola,Kaka and not to forget the maestro himself Zizou ...


NIKE(Just Do It): The Yanks are really a force to be reckon with. Nike has established themselves as the biggest player in the market. The American sportswear giant has dethroned adidas who monopolize the market for quite some time. Nike has captivated the hearts of young and their branding power has established themselves as the leader in the market. Aligned with their motto, they have signed basically the who's who in the football world from Ronaldinho to Rooney. From Brazil to Korea. Yes, Nike started off by grabbing the dream deal by snatching the sponsorship deal for Brazil from Umbro and its not turning back from there onwards.And they are very good with their marketing strategies as well, everytime when WC arrives they will come out with very captivating advertisement videos. I particularly liked those eye candy from the Brazilians.

4. Bookie - The 4th Dimension Of Football
Before I joined my ex-company, I just understood the obvious 3 D of football players,tactics,luck. But then I was enlightened by the very existense of the 4th Dimension of football ... a very powerful entity whithin the footballing world. It is so powerful that it can make a tiny country progress all the way to the semifinal of 2002 WC.

Yes, the 4th Dimension of football is none other than bookies themselves. Some might say that they are a syndicate bigger than football itself and has spread its influence to the entire football world. Hardcore football fans might not like this but I believe that with the presence of bookie(s) the results of World Cup 2006 can be 'set' by the powers that be ...


5. What does World Cup do for the players ?
For the players this is the stage where they will profess their talents in the biggest arena of all because the major clubs summer shopping will be based on the players performances in World Cup. One can say that World Cup 2006 can be likened to the Milan 2006 Summer Collection Fashion Show.
Players fate lies with their performances on the pitch ... if they can perform well they will see their price tag in the transfer market leaped sky high.
Others wants to prove to the world that they belong to the big boys whereas some established ones want to cement their name in the Hall Of Fame.
Not few would like to take this opportunity to capture the attention or to lure the big clubs. One notable player who will be desperate to lure the interest of giant clubs would be Ruud van Nistlerooy. Breaking ranks with his club, he desperately needs to find himself a giant club which is interested in acquiring his services and World Cup 2006 will be the most appropriate platform for him to do this.


Finally,
Whaterver I said above are just my thoughts about the upcoming World Cup 2006. I might not be correct on all the stuffs that I hv said. Please do comment if any ...