Woah what an exciting and excellent FIFA Worldcup it was.Though the 2006 FIFA Worldcup was scheduled to kickoff on the 9th of june,the football world cup fever began a month prior to its commencement.I have always supported one team and that team was Brazil "The Five time world champions".I wanted them to win the Cup for the second consecutive time but that was not to happen.The Brazilian team and the German team were certainly the cynosure of all.The Germans were in the limelight as they were the host nation.Finally the long awaited day of kickoff arrived.A stupendous opening ceremony marked the start of the World cup.
I waited patiently for Brazil's first match.It was against Croatia.I was eagerly waiting for Ronoldo to create the new world record for the maximum number of goals scored in world cup finals.I infact wanted it to happen in Brazil's first match itself but I was shocked to see him put on a very pathetic show.He was different from the Ronoldo whom i knew.He was in cloud nine during the 2002 FIFA world cup.His form was at such a peak that he could score a goal from almost anywhere in the field.Im not hyperbolizing things here.But this time,he was finding it difficult to just keep the ball in his possession.Ennui and dysphoria descended on me as Ronaldo was not playing well.The chemistry between the Brazilian team members too didn't work well in their first match.They only managed a 1-0 win over Croatia.They didn't do well in their second match either where they managed only a 2-0 victory over Australia.I knew Brazil were a formidable team and they can clinch victory even from the grimmest of grim situations.So Even though I was doleful,I did not lose hope.Then all the pieces seemed to fit in place for Brazil in their third match where they stamped their authority over Japan with a convincing 4-1 victory.Out of the 4 goals scored,Ronaldo scored 2.Those 2 goals made him equal Gred Mullar's record of 14 World cup goals.
They then faced off against Ghana in the round of sixteen.They once again dominated the match and ended up with a 3-0 victory.Ronaldo scored in the 5th minute making him the solo record holder for the maximum number of goals scored.Their victory also set another record i.e They had won 11 matches in a row(7 in 2002 WC and 4 in the 2006 WC).No other country has managed this record.They were through to the Quarter-Finals to square off against France.I felt it was pay back time for the French(1998 WC finals Brazil VS France)but unfortunately,it was a repeat of what happened in the 1998 WC final,France defeated Brazil 1-0.It was shattered dreams for me as well as for the Brazilians.
The Portuguese shocked the world by defeating England in another Quarter-Finals match.The 12 year magic once again worked for Italy as they defeated Germany in a thriller Semi-Finals match to gain them a place in the finals.In the other Semi-Finals match,France were triumphant against Portugal.So Germany and Portugal faced each other to compete for the 3rd place.It was Germany who emerged victorious with the final score reading Germany-3 Portugal-1.In the end,it came down to just Italy and France.The stakes were high as high it can be.They were competing for not just a victory but they were competing for glory,honour and of course the championship.Zidane's illustrious carrier came to an unlikely end as he was given a red card and was sent out of the game for his philistine behaviour.The scores were 1-1 at the end of extra time and the game moved into penalty shootout.Many were concerned whether the jinx would continue for the Italians in the penalty shootout but that was not to happen.It was definitely Italy's day.They emerged as the new world champs.Now Italy have won the World cup for the 4th time.Hats off to them.
Summing things up,it was altogether an excellent world cup with many twists and turns.It would have been awesome if Brazil had won it but what has to be,has to be.Maybe 2010 will be Brazil's.Who knows,lets just wait and watch!!!
I waited patiently for Brazil's first match.It was against Croatia.I was eagerly waiting for Ronoldo to create the new world record for the maximum number of goals scored in world cup finals.I infact wanted it to happen in Brazil's first match itself but I was shocked to see him put on a very pathetic show.He was different from the Ronoldo whom i knew.He was in cloud nine during the 2002 FIFA world cup.His form was at such a peak that he could score a goal from almost anywhere in the field.Im not hyperbolizing things here.But this time,he was finding it difficult to just keep the ball in his possession.Ennui and dysphoria descended on me as Ronaldo was not playing well.The chemistry between the Brazilian team members too didn't work well in their first match.They only managed a 1-0 win over Croatia.They didn't do well in their second match either where they managed only a 2-0 victory over Australia.I knew Brazil were a formidable team and they can clinch victory even from the grimmest of grim situations.So Even though I was doleful,I did not lose hope.Then all the pieces seemed to fit in place for Brazil in their third match where they stamped their authority over Japan with a convincing 4-1 victory.Out of the 4 goals scored,Ronaldo scored 2.Those 2 goals made him equal Gred Mullar's record of 14 World cup goals.
They then faced off against Ghana in the round of sixteen.They once again dominated the match and ended up with a 3-0 victory.Ronaldo scored in the 5th minute making him the solo record holder for the maximum number of goals scored.Their victory also set another record i.e They had won 11 matches in a row(7 in 2002 WC and 4 in the 2006 WC).No other country has managed this record.They were through to the Quarter-Finals to square off against France.I felt it was pay back time for the French(1998 WC finals Brazil VS France)but unfortunately,it was a repeat of what happened in the 1998 WC final,France defeated Brazil 1-0.It was shattered dreams for me as well as for the Brazilians.
The Portuguese shocked the world by defeating England in another Quarter-Finals match.The 12 year magic once again worked for Italy as they defeated Germany in a thriller Semi-Finals match to gain them a place in the finals.In the other Semi-Finals match,France were triumphant against Portugal.So Germany and Portugal faced each other to compete for the 3rd place.It was Germany who emerged victorious with the final score reading Germany-3 Portugal-1.In the end,it came down to just Italy and France.The stakes were high as high it can be.They were competing for not just a victory but they were competing for glory,honour and of course the championship.Zidane's illustrious carrier came to an unlikely end as he was given a red card and was sent out of the game for his philistine behaviour.The scores were 1-1 at the end of extra time and the game moved into penalty shootout.Many were concerned whether the jinx would continue for the Italians in the penalty shootout but that was not to happen.It was definitely Italy's day.They emerged as the new world champs.Now Italy have won the World cup for the 4th time.Hats off to them.
Summing things up,it was altogether an excellent world cup with many twists and turns.It would have been awesome if Brazil had won it but what has to be,has to be.Maybe 2010 will be Brazil's.Who knows,lets just wait and watch!!!
2 comments:
The semi-final world cup for this year was big surprise for everyone. There was no BRAZIL(My wish came true) and no Argentina. Brazil had a lot of individuals with brilliance but in football you need to perform as team. This world cup is one proof that NAMES do not matter. It's just sheer excellence of Italy as a team which made it World Champions. Indeed a well deserved victory. I had backed Italy right from the start but their perfomance really surprised me given the situation back at home.
France had a disappointing start to this WC. Their I round matches were not that good. But they hit the deck at right time and excelled in each match after that.
It was a disappointing end to ZIZU's illustrious carrer. What great player he was! My salutations to one of the greatest exponents of the game.
But the bottom line was ITALY was destructive and handful!!
even i xpected Samba boyz to rock...nd my nxt hope was England....hmm...but Italy did it...they do deserve it...
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