Feast for the senses

(On a day when Argentina plays Holland in their last group match, guest blogger Sri Shanker Krishnan reminds us the skills and flair of this team)

What a great team performance! So much flair, imagination and technique. Yes, I am enthusing about Argentina’s performance against Serbia & Montenegro (S&M). It has been quite a while since I had witnessed such wonderful football.

Argentina were one of the favorites before the tournament started and they have definitely lived up to the billing! S&M may have lost one of their key defenders before the match, got one player sent off during the game but I think all these were of no consequence – believe me, these would have had no impact on the match and the score. As an all time classic match it had everything, from breathtaking movements, wonder goals to high tempo drama and action. Definitely more than your money’s worth! The game itself started at such a high tempo with the Argentinians showing their intent from the onset. They were relentlessly committed to attacking football.

But this did not mean they had neglected their defensive duties. On the contrary, the defenders and defensive midfielders worked tirelessly in preventing the opponents from building any attacks that it made it look as though the S&M players could not mount any offensive moves. The high up field defending tactics employed by the Argentines worked wonderfully as they kept pressing the S&M players in their own half most of the time. This is not an easy tactic to execute as it takes players of top caliber, technique, fitness and high discipline to make it happen.

Everyone needs to play his part to perfection where all the players must back track and defend when the ball is lost, starting from the strikers. This is not easy to do at such a high level of competition. Special praise must be given to the two midfielders, Cambiasso and Mascherano. Both these guys were practically all over the pitch. As Maradona had said, Mascherano is a ‘monster’ of a player.

And then there was the 2nd goal. 24 passes, constant movement, opponent doesn’t touch the ball, clever back heel and goal. Enough said! Moving the ball around so effortlessly at such pace, it was simply joyful watching this Argentine team. A sight for sore eyes, indeed! Apart from the above two players, the rest also deserve 10 out of 10 for their performance. The introduction of Tevez and Messi in the 2nd half was simply adding fuel to the fire! The two provided more flair and quality to the team. Imagine having Tevez, Messi and Aimar on your substitutes’ bench!

Personally I am a keen Brazil fan but I certainly appreciate good, beautiful football. It is rather unfortunate that the Brazilians performance has been a major let down. I hope after seeing their arch rivals and neighbours, they will be inspired to do the same if not better. Mark my word, this Argentine team will go far and Mascherano, Messi (pix) and Tevez are going to be the next international superstars. One if not more will probably end up at West London soon, with you know who! For now, I take my hats off to the Argentines for giving someone like me so much pleasure. It was certainly a feast for all the senses! There is hope yet for winning in style and not at any cost….Carry on, Argentina!

(As he mentioned, Sri Shanker Krishnan is a Brazil fan, hoping that his team will start playing as they should)

AND in case you missed THAT second goal, here it is for your viewing pleasure: