Ron Manager
formerly Libertine
You know what, I'd hate it if every team at the World Cup played Brazilian style football.
The joy of a a tournament is the different styles and approaches to the game. Uruguay last night were a case in point, they are a part of the fabric of the sport. Also the performance that New Zealand put in with lesser players than most in South Africa yet playing to their strengths and getting an unexpected point, all adds to the story of the World Cup.
Even teams who come along and park the bus, it's up to the supposed superior teams to overcome it and watching how they succeed or fail in that is fascinating.
Niggly fouls, the odd bit of diving, shirt pulling in the area - all part of of the spectacle of the game IMO. The flair teams have to cope with that as well as showing off their silky skills. Take that aspect away and it will become a display of tricks, like watching the Harlem Globetrotters play basketball - all very good as an exhibition but not as a test to find the best team in the world.
So let me hail the ugly football at this World Cup. Eventually the quality will shine through, a good footballing team will win the trophy. But along the way they will have to overcome at least one ugly team which will be a test of their right to call themselves World Champions.
The joy of a a tournament is the different styles and approaches to the game. Uruguay last night were a case in point, they are a part of the fabric of the sport. Also the performance that New Zealand put in with lesser players than most in South Africa yet playing to their strengths and getting an unexpected point, all adds to the story of the World Cup.
Even teams who come along and park the bus, it's up to the supposed superior teams to overcome it and watching how they succeed or fail in that is fascinating.
Niggly fouls, the odd bit of diving, shirt pulling in the area - all part of of the spectacle of the game IMO. The flair teams have to cope with that as well as showing off their silky skills. Take that aspect away and it will become a display of tricks, like watching the Harlem Globetrotters play basketball - all very good as an exhibition but not as a test to find the best team in the world.
So let me hail the ugly football at this World Cup. Eventually the quality will shine through, a good footballing team will win the trophy. But along the way they will have to overcome at least one ugly team which will be a test of their right to call themselves World Champions.
