Corner flag (vol 12.13) - Its all about Cesc

Isn't it? Plays a crucial part in his country's win in the World Cup, takes some time off when his Spanish colleagues do all the talking about Barcelona and comes back with a, rather, honest take of his stand during this entire saga. Quite brave I reckon and again demonstrates as to why he is one of those with a lot of time on the ball. Remains to be seen if focus has been sacrificed for honestly. Nicely set up for another long season.
                                                  

Corner flag (vol 2.12) - Van Persie to score

Been taking stock on the bets / calls thats been made and pretty pleased as to how its all turned out. Especially, the Year of the Tiger theory. Ha.

Spain vs Holland, one of the favourites at the outset vs. a peripheral figure of the elite bunch of footballing nations. Both under achievers on the world stage for the longest time and we will have a new winner. All the chat at office is how the Spaniards are going to cruise it. Another day, another favourite. Not without reason though. Euro '08 champions and a core group of Barcelona players who have won titles together.

The Barcelona core were very effective against a rather polite German side, who were not used to sides not making mistakes in possession - like the Argentinians and the English in the previous rounds. The Germans couldn't get hold of the ball and were slowly worn down. The Dutch, I think, will have more of an edge about them and with players more than capable of scoring goals, its going to be a hard fought game. And of course, the Dutch will emerge as winners.

Either way, Arsenal will soon have a World Cup winner in the squad and I hope its Van Persie scoring the winning goal in the 85th minute of a hard fought game.
                                              

Corner flag (vol 2.11) - Forget the Germans

is what I have been trying to tell the people at office. After their effortless dispatch of the Argies on Saturday night, not one person can think of any other team but the Germans to win the cup. Yes, they have played some amazing football and with a low-profile, young bunch of talented players, makes them an easy target for the underdog seeking World Cup fan. I can't quite remember the last time there was such overwhelming backing for a team.

So I have gone ahead put a bet on Spain beating them in the semis. Not driven by logic, neither emotion (which I have made clear earlier), but just a counter-consensus punt. Spain have not pulled out the breathtaking football that they are capable of and I wonder if its going to be a case of peaking at the right time. Similar to the Robin Van Persie story for the Dutch, who I obviously think will go through to the finals. And win it. So there.

The time has come to smile - in joy or agony. Its all terribly exciting.

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One of the more talked of episodes this World Cup was Suarez's save. Cheating vs Passion - and as expected, the British bandwagon jumped onto how unjust life is. But on BBC last night, I was watching the presenter speaking to fans in Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa, Amsterdam, Berlin and everyone said that any footballer would have done the same. The poor fucker.

                                                    

Corner flag (vol 2.10) - Maradona is a cat

Not a tiger, but a cat. With 9 lives: Hand of God almost got him lynched, the Camorra nearly bumped him off because even they got tired of his maniacal ways, got thrown out of USA 94 in a drug fueled daze, his dogs ate his ears while sleeping with him, his stomach nearly burst open one morning, was quite close to not qualifying with the most talented side for this world cup and now he is taking on Schweinsteiger over here - hilarious:




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Here is the cat on Mourinho - perfect bedfellows:
"I like Mourinho a lot. I've got his phone number, I might call him. We spent hours talking about football, attacking and defensive tactics. He seemed to me a guy to take to your bedside table and ask him each time you need something."

And on Messi:
"And he talks to [Juan Sebastián] Verón and I spy on them: La Bruja [the Witch] is an intellectual of football, because he knows much more of football than Leo, but they start talking about it and the bastard answers back."

Recounting his days in the psychiatric ward:
"They were all crazy in there. One guy said he was Napoleon and they didn't believe him. I said I was Maradona and they didn't believe me, either."

And here is the wonderful Richard Williams on the cat. He does write well though the fucker.

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The Big Brazilians just went out against the Dutch. Robben, Schneider together quelled a spirited Brazilian set up, but as the game wore on the Dutch were better constructed to pull it off. Even from being a goal down from the 10th minute. Felipe Melo set up the goal, then scored an own goal and finally got sent off - hopefully his market value deteriorates even further; Arsenal can possibly afford him now.
                                                       

From the Guardian. The two architects of a famous Dutch win                                      

                                                                              

Corner flag (vol 2.9) - Its still Holland

There are bets flying all over the place, and most people are snickering at my theory. Especially, when there are the Germans (who rightly bulldozed the English), the Big Brazilians (steadily moving ahead) and the Argentinians (the most talented bunch) still around. But with some of these names playing each other shortly, the big names will eventually drop out - and people will move on. I am still going with my theory and expect either the Dutch or Spain to take it. And given its Orange for me, I am hoping that the Dutch beat my tournament favourites Brazil tomorrow.

1. Holland vs Brazil
The Dutch have been effective, but not anywhere as fluid as I expected them to be. While the Brazilians are playing as expected, it will be an upset if the go out at this stage. Its a Dutch win for me.

2. Uruguay vs Ghana
Tough one - but it will be Uruguay, as they look a good balanced side and not being rated because they have been no where for many years.

3. Argentina vs Germany
Its going to be the Argies, with their experience and quality, that will go through against the quality of the Germans.

4. Spain vs Paraguay
Spain to squeeze it, but with Fabregas not playing, there is only that much (very little) that I think of them.

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An Eboue classic


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Quote of the day from the 20 year old German hero Thomas Muller - on the English:

"England have so many top stars in their squad that they will always be part and parcel of the international football scene. But there are so many 'alpha males' in their squad. It is difficult to have so many alpha males and have them row in the same direction. You don't only need chiefs. You also need a few Indians."
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One of the best players in the tournament for me: Diego Forlan

 Courtesy: The Guardian
                                                          

Corner flag (vol 2.8) - Italy's finest hour

The group phase is over and now its time for tears at the end of every game.

And indeed there were tears at the end of the best game of the World Cup so far - when Italy went out to Slovakia. The defending champions finished last and were booted out. It was quite interesting right from the beginning as the Italians went down a goal early and the Slovaks attacked the pretty heavy legged Italians right through the game.

But in the second half of the second half, the Italians came alive to put together a passionate performance that I haven't quite seen before. So much so that I was hoping they score the requisite number of goals to go through. It was driven by the desperation of the situation that the Italians found themselves having to play out of their shorts to get something - fantastic goal by Quagliarella and they should have had couple more; but time ran out and saw Captain Cannavaro shepherding his players back to the dressing room in a hurry. A bit of irony in all of this - the most ineffective Italian team was by the far the most entertaining Italian side I have seen in a long while. Their finest hour in my opinion.

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Game 1 of Uruguay vs South Korea just finished and Uruguay have won. Which was my prediction. Seriously.

Rest of the games are:
1) USA vs Ghana
Ghana to win 1 nil

2) Germany vs England
Germany through hopefully, though Beckenbaur is shooting his mouth as always and thats not a good sign for the Germans

3) Argentina vs Mexico
Though I have just had a fabulous Mexican meal and been hearing all things bright and beautiful about Mexico, Argentina should win quite comfortably

4) Netherlands vs Slovakia
2 - 1 to Netherlands

5) Brazil vs Chile
Brazil to scrape through

6) Paraguay vs Japan
Paraguay 1 nil

7) Spain vs Portugal
Spain to go through. This will ensure the Year of the Tiger shortlist down to 3.

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If everything works as expected, we could see Netherlands vs Brazil quarters. Which will be quite a game I think.

After the most dramatic game, here goes another stalwart - before he catches the flight to the Middle East and work on his pension fund.

Picture from the Guardian: Fabio Cannavaro wipes away the tears as he leaves the pitch. This could well be his last match. What a stinker

                                                             

Corner flag (vol 2.7) - World Cups and the Year of the Tiger

                                     
1. A funny forward that I received this morning:

From an English guy: "This World Cup is like WWII. The French surrendered early, the USA arrive at the last minute and we're left to fight the Germans, ahahaha"


2.  My "welcome" moment to the city that I live in, happened a few hours before the Italy - France final four years ago. Where I realised the rather scientifc Chinese love for astrology. I call it analysing patterns, which is the eternal truth of life: its all about cycles.

Hypothesis: Extrapolating the theory, a quick run through of World Cup winners in the Year of the Tiger and the following emerges:
1998: France
1986: Argentina
1974: West Germany
1962: Brazil
1950: Uruguay
1938: Italy

Conclusion: there has never been a repeat winner during the Year of the Tiger World Cups.

Inference: Looking at the elite 9, this means 4 possible winners: England, Portugal, Spain and Holland.

Action point: To the lucky few who manage to read this, one should use this path breaking finding at the time of the semi-finals when deciding on whom to bet. 

My view: its got 2 of the names I dont want anywhere near the semi-finals, 1 where I didn't think there is any reserve fuel in the radiator and finally the one that I would like to win. So far so good. Lets see how it all develops.


3. Moving 2 dimensions forward into the world of club football and Arsenal Football Club, there is a pretty interesting article on BBC on how Arsenal is well poised at the moment to move ahead of its peers - with the focus on finances. Which is crucial at this time when the Western European economies have got to get used to tighter bank balance sheets.

The article refers to recent Deloitte and Forbes reports on Football clubs, which highlight the uptrend in the financial fortunes of Arsenal - backed by of core footballing business strategy and prudent spending by the manager through the last 6 years or so. Any reader who would like a copy of the Deloitte report can drop his/her email id in the comments section.

Which only leads me to strengthen my belief that the next decade is going to be Arsenal's.Though much work needs to be done this summer: keeping Fabregas, replenishing the defence + goalkeeper smartly and some fresh thinking on the coaching bench.

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Another chap thats done for World Cups and European club football as well. Good night and good luck.

                                                     

Corner flag (vol 2.5)

Carrying on from four years ago, listing down my take on what this world cup is likely to offer. I realise that setting targets of this sort is a game of 'analysis' vs 'hope' - and therefore each comment will be qualified as either one of them (A or H).

As I write, its Day 3 already, and have the hindsight of a few games - of which I must admit the England - USA result was reassuring and in line with expectations. Its a nil-nil draw at the Ghana Serbia game at the moment. 

1. Favourites to win the World Cup:  Brazil (H)
Not the usual flamboyant boys, but its the Dunga boys that will do the job. Dogged and quite solid. There is worry about Luis Fabiano scoring goals, but I reckon Kaka will be ready for this; having had a quiet season at Madrid, he is going to be key behind any success for Brazil. 

2. Footballer of the tournament: Kaka (H)
Tough one, considering all the talent that exists in the Spanish side. 

3. Teams among the elite lot that look good and that could win: Argentina (H) & Holland  (H)
Elite set being Brazil, Spain, Argentina, Germany, Italy, France, England, Portugal and Holland. Obviously Brazil & Spain are universally recognised as the favourites, which I kind of agree with. But its 2 of the others that I am going to have my eye on - Argentina and Holland.

Despite being led by Maradona, Argentina have a crew of top dog, experienced footballers. Will be interesting to watch their progress and a lot would depend on how much the players want to play for each other.

Which has historically been the problem with the Dutch as well, but I think they have an understated coach and team of former hot heads who have matured over the last couple of years. Questions about defence exists, but quality midfield and forward line.

Portugal - they have been awfully quiet all the way to the finals. To quote Jacques Kallis, do they have some reserve fuel in the radiator to surprise? I don't think so.

4. Teams that wont do well: Spain (H) & England (H)
Nothing much to say over here.

5. Teams from the non-Elite lot that will do well: Serbia (H)
Purely intuitive - ok this is how it goes: Croatia did well in 1998, the Czechs did well in Euro 2004, so one of the teams from that region is likely to do well some time soon. Intuition of the Times of India kind I suppose.

Serbia finds itself in a tough group and its the 66/1 odds that make it interesting. Though I have just learnt that the super, talented striker Stevan Jovetic of Fiorentina plays for Montenegro and not Serbia - which was one of the reasons behind my Serbia pick much before the tournament began.

That incidentally just shows the level of analysis thats gone behind this -  as any astute reader would have already picked up.

(Ghana just scored - so already getting fucked)

7. Source of likely fuck up for me : Not rating the African teams at all (A)

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Since the first round is well under way, I shall update my picks of teams that are likely to progress by Wednesday.

Though I am loyal to no particular team in such competitions, its going to be the Dutch that I'll be following closely this world cup. Heres to hoping that they win.

                                       

Corner Flag (vol 1.3)

Ten reasons why England shouldn't win the World Cup via The Independent

There are probably 10 more very valid reasons, but this is a start. Its not that I support a particular team and therefore I wish England doesn't win - its just the overtly jingoistic English media + a few players in the team - for example, the ones featured at 1 and 8 in the above link.