There has been a phenomenal build up to this event. From constant Television Ads, to a daily 2 page dedication to football in the newspapers, to that THING. What I mean by the thing would be that hideous pneumonia affected leopard mascot they called Zakumi. He creeps me out.
Anyway, not to let a mascot get between good football, this is a seriously testing time for South Africa. They need to ensure security, adequate arrangements and still put up a good show in the game. It's not like the SA team are star performers or anything but they wouldn't want to disappoint. All this just reminds me of that movie Invictus. A true story about how the underdog SA rugby team won the World Cup just after Apartheid departed and managed to unite a tattered nation. And underdog may be an overstatement. A dead and out team. All they needed was inspiration. IE: Nelson Mandela. I wouldn't count my chances on that occurring this time around. Neither would I count the chance of a plane flying right above the stadium donned in support for the team (which also happened in the movie, but hey- that was a true story, stuff can happen!).
Getting back to where I left off, people are terming this year's cup as of prime importance to the whole of Africa as it's the first time this is occurring in African soil. That being said one would expect a good turnout. But no, the usual suspects play spoilsport again- economic recession and co. Yes, we have heard from them far too many times.
So? The contenders? The obvious ones. Brazil, Argentina (Read: Team Messi) from South America are in. Spain, riding on their Euro victory are a team you can put your money on for sure ( At least I'm gonna).
England with a turbulent practice round and with their team in a sorry state, may not make the mark but still contend. Italy, France and Germany too will go through biz as usual fighting for the cup. And high expectations are also places on African teams, most importantly Cote d'Ivoire ( Read: Ivory Coast) with the powerhouse Drogba fresh right out of Chelsea. Of course, now he fractured himself...!
Speaking about fractures, many players have been struck off the lists before the tourney commences, many important names missing this once-in-a-blue-moon opportunity. Reasons? Well, perhaps there are idiots like me who like to slide tackle the hell out of anyone within a 2 meter radius. ( OK, fine. perhaps that would be me playing good ol' FIFA 10 on the computer...!) Yet another culprit to name- The English Premier League. This league takes such a toll on a player. Sort of a slow death, injury of some sort or the other is simply inevitable in the long run.
So many names,so many faces, out of action. Michael Ballack, succumbing to a slide tackle from the back. Out. His Chelsea teammates Michael Essien and John Obi Mikel. Out. A big blow to England's hopes- Rio Ferdinand. Out.
All this while the others such as Torres, Rooney and Drogba just manage to sneak in fighting injury. Well, I wonder what will happen to the players during the world cup. Hopefully not some sort of anticlimactic letdown. We will just have to see.
Estoy a favor de España. Too all you illiterate souls out there, it means- I support Spain! ( Oh! alright...I used Google translator :P)
Meanwhile, who do you support? Comment if your jobless enough.
Signing Off...Sudharshan!
