World Cup 2010
Football or Soccer as it is widely called, is no doubt an universal sport with the largest viewer ship worldwide, as the count down get closer to twenty four hours most of the world is excited about the prospect of their favourite team winning the coveted gold trophy on the 11th of July 2010. A dream of every nation big or small. Every nation prepares for this quest with dedication and hard work which many a times, is not just enough to fulfill our ambition and dream of winning the World Cup. All cannot win the World Cup, although all countries take part to win it, as is said if wishes were horses baggers would ride, the whole wide world dreams of it. To win at this level talent, physical fitness, temperament, team work in cohesion and lady luck surely needs to be by your side. The day all these factors come on one side that team will be the winner, let's see who these factors favour not forgetting the axiom "fortune favours the brave" Lets hope the best team wins. We all like to make prediction, I too would like to do the same with malice towards none. I think Spain has the best balanced side starting with one of the best goalkeepers in the world Iker Casillas and Valdes, With Puyol, Albiol, Pique, Ramos and Marchena the best solid defense that any team would be proud off. Xavi, Iniesta, Fabrigas, Alonso, Martinez, Silva, Busquets in the midfield they have more to spare than any other team. Coming to the strikers, Villa, Torres, Mata, Pedro, Llorente and Navas, any of this would create havoc in any defense in world football, it's all talent in the Spanish team, over all, barring injury to the key players like Torres, Villa, Iniesta they have the trophy in their hands. After Spain as far as talent is concerned Netherlands comes second, goalkeepers Maarten, Vorm and Sander, I have not heard much this department will miss the services of retired Van der Sar. Heitinga, Joris, Khalid, Andre, Edson are capable of sturdy defending while Van Bronckhorst though not so young carries the experience in the defense department. Van Bommel, De Jong, Demy, Schaars, are all pretty apt midfielders and with the superb duo of Van Der Vaart and the very dangerous Sneijder they are only second to Spain in midfield talent. Kuyt, Van Persie, Robben, Elia, Babel, and Klaas Jan make a formidable strike force, here too only second to Spain in talent, but lady luck have mostly eluded them since their 3-2 loss to Germany during the time of Juan Cruff. They will surely look for favour from lady luck this time round. Brazil is one team that can never be left out of the favourites, their talent is so overflowing, they could have two or three team of equal strength and all of them could reach the quarter finals if not the semis of finals. Gomes, Doni, Julio Cesar one of the best in the Goal, that department is as good as Spain upfront, the reserves loose to the quality of Valdes. Defense Lucio is a pillar of strength, Maicon on the flank can do the Roberto Carlos sorties, Basttos, Dani Alves, Luisao, Silva and Melo will be hard to get past for a clear shot at the goal. Felipe, Elano, Gilberto Silva, Josue, Ramires, Julio Baptista, Kelberson and ofcourse the star Kaka make a dream midfield. Grafite, Nilmar, Robinho and the ever dangerous Fabiano could turn the tables on any defense in the world, but taking a look at the Samba boys, in their history they always had are star par excellence up front, the worlds best unfortunately, this team lacks that vital tactician, that more often than not changed Brazil's fortunes in football. Argentina is another team full of talent, Pozo, Sergio Romero, Pastore in the goal are not the best known and could be the only weak link. Demichelis, Clemente, Nicolas, Heinze, Ariel, Walter, Nicolas all are good defenders. Bolatti, Di Maria, Javier, Jonas, Pastore, Maxi and the veteran Veron are more than handful midfielders for any team. Their attack is their crowning glory with Messi, Tevez, Higuain, Aguero, Palermo and the Champions Cup hero Milito make one of the most dangerous and potent strike force, But unfortunately are at the mercy of their eccentric coach who was a much better player than he'll ever be a coach. It's his folly to leave aside the talented midfielders in Combassio and Rechelmi, one of the stars of the last World Cup, which would have made their midfield match that of Spain any given day. Germany, Portugal, Italy and England have talent in bits and pieces but those scattered pieces could take them pretty far in this tournament, For Germany it could be Podolski, for Portugal in could be Ronaldo, they'll surely miss Nani's crosses from the flank and his creativity in the box a very good provider for Ronaldo to flourish. Italy are too defensive, they may not win matches but they will may scoring against them very very difficult with Carnnavaro and Zambrotta playing the key role, whereas England had good midfields in Gerrad and Lampard, a good defender in Terry and the best of England, the work horse called Rooney, provided he is hundred percent fit, he can and will make a lot of defenders look foolish and ill-equipped but than only the English will bet on a lame horse. This is my preview of the World Cup 2010. Hope the best team wins. BTW I'll be wearing the Brazil Top and Portugal Shorts on the 25th June, if you see me please don't laugh at me, I am a football fanatic and Portugal and Brazil teams are my favourite despite their limitations, ofcourse I am Goan. I hope more than winning, we will get to watch football that is fantastic, fast paced and tactically intelligent, and a good number of classy goals, may Football be the winner. Hope I have not offended anyone's feelings or upset any carts, these are just my views, if you have your lets share them Freddy Agnelo Fernandes -------------------------------------------------------- The content of this electronic communication is intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom it is addressed and any others who are specifically authorized to receive it. It may contain confidential or legally privileged information. 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