So people, here is the first edition of "Berlin Beckons"....my insight into the biggest event of the year....the FIFA World Cup. Firstly, apart from those regular die-hard football fans, how many of you know what the full form of FIFA actually is?? Well, fyi, its "Federation Internationale de Football Association".....the supreme governing body for football/soccer in the world. Just thought I'd mention that, may look dumb, but I am certain there are many people out there just wondering......why is it called the FIFA World Cup......are FIFA the official sponsors or something......?! Believe me its true..!
Anyway, coming to the tournament itself, I shall kick-off with the matches that took place last evening/night IST...i.e on 12/6/06. It was an interesting day....a day of no surprises I would say. Australia firstly deservedly beat Japan 3-1......I thought this game saw the socceroos show the true fighting spirit and never-say-die attitude that has made Australia arguably the best sporting country in the world.......seriously they are good at any sport you can think of!! Except maybe ice hockey and the likes..! But look at the list......cricket (obviously, they're the Brazil of cricket), hockey (again almost like a Brazil there), soccer, tennis, athletics, swimming......goes on and on, and they're excellent in virtually all of em. Coming back to the match, I agree with the majority view that the goal for Japan should not have stood as the Aussie keeper Mark Schwarzer was clearly being impeded. But Tim Cahill truly showed why he is good enough to play in the EPL with 2 crucial goals......the second one was brilliant.....we really are witnessing some very good goals in this tournament!!
Coming to Czech - USA, after that game, I was left wondering how on earth the US are ranked 5th in the world in the FIFA world rankings!! They were trampled over by the "bouncing Czechs".....pun unintended.....though they did have the odd sight of goal. The star of the show was truly Tomas Rosicky.....just signed newly for Arsenal........I think he really is a fantastic signing for the Gunners....an attack minded midfielder.....perfect to replace Robert Pires, maybe even better. Well, 3-0 was the scoreline, and yup i actually fancy the Czechs to make the semis..........i feel some people really underestimate them.......a very clinical and solid team. As for the US, I dont think they can make it past the group stage on the back of this performance.
I was looking forward to watching Italy play and see how much of an effect the turmoil at home because of the ongoing scandal inquiry will affect their performance.....to my relief it didnt seem to bother them. They put up a highly efficient performance, with some good passes and moves on the back of solid defending. Andrea Pirlo continued the trend of excellent goals in the competition with a fine strike.....he's known to do that especially from free kicks pretty often for AC Milan.....and it was nice to see Iaquinta get on the scoresheet.....havent seen much of him but he did impress in the group stage of the Champion's League last year for Udinese.
Well, all eyes on Brazil in the coming set on matches, with the triple R brigade ready to pounce on the Croats and steal the show.......Ronaldinho, Kaka, Ronaldo, Robinho....get ready for some Samba magic!! Until the next.....
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