World Cup 2010 - Final Say

Spain is deservedly the World Cup 2010 Champion having defeated the Netherlands 1-0 during extra-time. Spain has exquisitely displayed the free-flowing and beautiful football that is identified with most South American teams. Being a European nation to have slowly transform to such a "samba" Team is I think in no small measure due to the huge import of South American players in the Teams that participated in the Spanish Laliga. Netherlands has on the other hand had morphed from a Team which displayed the "total football" which we remembered during Johan Cyruff's time to a Team which employed "dirty' & "ugly" tactics to win matches. In their Quarter-Final game with Brazil such wanton & dirty tactical foulplay was on dispay for all to see - pushing, pulling, tapping of ankles & knees to dislodge players. The Netherlands coach should have hidden his face in the sand for having nuturing such a Team. Yes, Spain the better Team is the World Champions!

World Cup 2010 - "My Rice Bowl" or "My Country"

For the coming World Cup most of the top professional footbal players will face the dilemma "My Rice Bowl" or "My Country". What do I mean? These top professional players are paid millions by their Clubs. If they are to play their hearts out for their Countries, they may risk injuring or harming themselves and their careers! I saw that played out in the African Nations Cup Jan 2010. Didier Drogba (who currently plays for Chelsea FC & who wore the captain's armband for Ivory Coast) was a "mere passenger" in one of the crucial game I saw him played. Whereas Michael Essien returned to his Club Chelsea FC (yes he also play for the same Club)injured having done his national serivice for his Country Ghana. Drogba looked after "his rice bowl" but Essien served "his country" Just now heard the news that Emmanuel Adbayor who played for "Togo" announced his retirement from international duties!!!