Perennial underachievers fail again.
So what is new with Spain? Haven’t they been like this forever? They have always failed when it mattered in major tournaments. I am not sulking here but I really thought they would go far this year and their 3-1 defeat to France today was a major disappointment for me.
They started the tournament in a superb form and hit rock bottom against a French team which seemed to have found their own good form finally.
I thought the Spanish midfield trio of Xabi Alonso, Fabregas and Xavi were totally overshadowed by France’s Zidane and Vieira. The two French midfielders were more composed and imposing in the middle of the park. And they were ably assisted by the youngster Frank Ribery and veteran Claude Makalele.
As time progressed, you could see the French team gaining confidence and despite being a goal down, they showed some character to come from behind and win easily, I should say.
So at the end, we have a Spanish team which has never beaten France and that unwanted record continues for them, and they again lived up to their reputation as underachievers. In their favour however stands the fact that this is a young team who should do better in the coming years.
As for France, they gave a majestic performance today to win this game and set up a quarter finals meeting with Brazil. They have shown tremendous improvement in their game. I was especially impressed with Ribery who came under fire for missing chances in the earlier matches. Today he took his goal beautifully to announce his arrival at the big stage.
French maestro Zidane, playing his last few matches before retiring, again impressed us with his wonder show. He capped an excellent night with a beautiful goal.
Just one sore point from me as far as the French team is concerned. Actually it doesn’t involve the whole team but one individual player – Thierry Henry and the way he fell holding his face in the 82nd minute after a clash with Puyol.
To start with, I didn’t think the tumble warranted a foul and a yellow card for Puyol. And more importantly, the ensuing free kick resulted in a goal from France. They led from then on and with Spain trying to push forward, saw an opening through Zidane to finish off the game in the 90th minute.
My point is that a player of Henry’s stature need not have done that to win a free kick and a card for a fellow player.
So what is new with Spain? Haven’t they been like this forever? They have always failed when it mattered in major tournaments. I am not sulking here but I really thought they would go far this year and their 3-1 defeat to France today was a major disappointment for me.
They started the tournament in a superb form and hit rock bottom against a French team which seemed to have found their own good form finally.I thought the Spanish midfield trio of Xabi Alonso, Fabregas and Xavi were totally overshadowed by France’s Zidane and Vieira. The two French midfielders were more composed and imposing in the middle of the park. And they were ably assisted by the youngster Frank Ribery and veteran Claude Makalele.
As time progressed, you could see the French team gaining confidence and despite being a goal down, they showed some character to come from behind and win easily, I should say.
So at the end, we have a Spanish team which has never beaten France and that unwanted record continues for them, and they again lived up to their reputation as underachievers. In their favour however stands the fact that this is a young team who should do better in the coming years.
As for France, they gave a majestic performance today to win this game and set up a quarter finals meeting with Brazil. They have shown tremendous improvement in their game. I was especially impressed with Ribery who came under fire for missing chances in the earlier matches. Today he took his goal beautifully to announce his arrival at the big stage.
French maestro Zidane, playing his last few matches before retiring, again impressed us with his wonder show. He capped an excellent night with a beautiful goal.Just one sore point from me as far as the French team is concerned. Actually it doesn’t involve the whole team but one individual player – Thierry Henry and the way he fell holding his face in the 82nd minute after a clash with Puyol.
To start with, I didn’t think the tumble warranted a foul and a yellow card for Puyol. And more importantly, the ensuing free kick resulted in a goal from France. They led from then on and with Spain trying to push forward, saw an opening through Zidane to finish off the game in the 90th minute.
My point is that a player of Henry’s stature need not have done that to win a free kick and a card for a fellow player.
posted by Kabilan K at
12:02 AM
2 Comments:
Football is like a stock market. people often overlooked value stock which underperformed. Example, teams like France (not winning & scoring enough), Italy (bribing scandal) & even football personal like David Beckham (Lousy captain & not in form) & Ronaldo (overweight) are being ridiculed at early stage. At the end, they prove their critics wrong. Although my perdiction of France & Brazil Final will never happen, I am glad that France & Ronaldo finally find their rymth again. Beckham is scoring again. Italy by luck (when vs Socceroos) has finally reached the quarter final. Hope they all progress in the rest of the game and may the best team win. Bottomline is don't always follow the crowd or judge people by first impression. Everyone deserved encouragement when they are down.
By
Anonymous, at 6:40 AM
Don't prejudice too.
By
Anonymous, at 9:35 AM
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