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Saturday, July 1, 2006
Bye bye, Brazil
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Off the Ball was resting her barking dogs late Saturday, the result of 120 minutes of standing, plus penalty kicks, while watching the England-Portugal leadoff match, when France pulled off the stunner not just of this World Cup, but perhaps of the last several.
France 1:0 Brazil on a brilliant volley finish by Thierry Henry, and set up by an equally brilliant free kick by Zinedine Zidane.
The magic is back, and France ousted the overwhelming favorites to turn what’s left of this World Cup into a wide-open affair. And an all-European one. France was on the verge of group play elimination for the second consecutive Cup, and along with Germany, has to be the most inspiring surprise remaining.
All the “pretty” attacking teams are out. Spain, earlier victimized by France. Argentina, whose coach lost his nerve, and eventually his job, because of late-game tactics against Germany. And now the Boys of Samba, who never showed the artistry or trickery that’s readily on display in Nike commercials.
Not a shot on goal until Ronaldo’s low driver in stoppage team. Brazil? Wha’ happened?
Just as OTB was shaking her head at all this, a soccer-hating friend called. “I just watched 210 minutes of soccer and saw one goal. Oh, boy! That’s what they get for trying to build from the back!”
It’s hard to score goals in any case. But in the latter stages of the World Cup, defensive-minded teams tend to prevail. Look at Italy, which looks the strongest of the four. Portugal’s much-improved defensively under Scolari — remember the shambles they were against the USA four years ago?
And France, which looked old and creaky in ‘02 with some of the same players who are still out there, just didn’t give Ronaldinho, etc. room to breathe. Germany withstood the firepower of Argentina well enough, and knows it has an ace keeper if penalty kicks arise again.
So let the bashing trollers continue to bemoan the lack of scoring. It will like this the rest of the way.
Speaking of penalty kicks, what the hell was that from England? They looked like freaked out 12-year-olds at the Elysian Fields Cup. Yes, Portugal missed two shots as well, but Lampard, Gerrard and Carragher were lame-o from the spot. Ricardo, the keeper, ain’t that great, folks. But England made him look that way.
Beckham gets hurt shortly after the start of the second half, Rooney kicks Carvalho in the cojones and gets a red card, and John Terry, one of England’s best penalty-takers, can’t finish out the last five minutes of extra time with cramps.
Forty years, and at least four more. Come on, England? Forget about it.
After taking in the dramatics at Atlanta’s soccer mecca, OTB has just about had it with Inger-land. Not because they lost. Mostly, because they continue to suffer delusions of grandeur.
These boys flatter to deceive, and their grateful nation continues to swallow it whole.
Get over yourselves, England.
