10 things we've learnt from the 2014 World Cup in Brazil
IT’S been the best World Cup in living memory. Goals galore, colourful crowds and fears of a chaotic tournament proving unfounded. But what have we learned?
Here’s Simon Hill’s take on Brazil 2014...so far...
1. THE FUTURE IS NOT NECESSARILY ASIA
Has there been a more miserable tournament for a regional confederation? No wins, and each of Asia’s four representatives finishing bottom of their group. Is a lack of serious competition the reason? If so, the next tier of the game (below Japan, South Korea, Australia & Iran) really needs to up its game and give the establishment a better run for its money. In addition, with three of the worlds most populous nations - China, India and Indonesia - in its ranks, AFC really should be driving the game forward at a much quicker pace. Sidelining West Asian modernisers such as Prince Ali of Jordan isn’t helping either.
2. MONEY ISN’T EVERYTHING
Miguel Herrera was the lowest paid coach in Brazil, yet he took his team to within a whisker of the last eight. Conversely, based on insurable value, two of the top three “most valuable” squads - Spain and England - failed to get out of the group.
The cheapest squad? Costa Rica, who are preparing for a quarter-final. Proof that it’s still just eleven against eleven, the ball is round - and the Germans (the most valuable squad) are always the exception.
3. ENGLAND EXPECTS
Actually, England didn’t expect much at this tournament - and the team duly lived down to those expectations. Why can’t a country with the most popular league in the world put 11 decent players out on the pitch? Poor coaching and junior development systems are two good reasons, but Roy Hodgson might be onto something - suggesting that some of the more talented English players should go and play overseas if they can’t get a start in the Premier League. You reckon anyone is listening?
4. AUSTRALIA FAIR?
Is it just me, or has there been a dearth of “hate” articles regarding the World Cup in the Australian media? Even chief “soccer” knocker, Peter FitzSimons, has had to wait, almost until the knockout phase before finding a nit to pick at, in the shape of Luis Suarez. Has the penny finally dropped that Australians love this game, and that the world is a bigger place (and much more interesting as a result) than just Sydney or Melbourne?
5. TICK-TOCK - TIKI-TAKA DEAD?
Brazil was when father time caught up with Vicente del Bosque’s wonderful outfit. Nothing stays the same for long in the world game, and the possession-based football we all marvelled at, all of a sudden seemed slow, fragile and predictable. Exit Tiki-Taka - hello power ball. Teams which attack with lightning pace, and press high with dynamic energy have inherited the earth. However - gracias Espana.
6. THE UGLY SIDE OF THE BEAUTIFUL GAME
Take a bow Luis Suarez and Arjen Robben.
The man with the most famous gnashers in sport inexplicably sunk his teeth into a defender for a third time, while Arjen Robben swan-dived his way into infamy, by admitting he indulges in the dark art of simulation. Suarez got a nine-game international ban. Robben? FIFA? Hello? Hello?
7. SEPP-WATCH
Talking of which - where is the all-knowing Presidential demigod? Has anyone actually spotted him at the World Cup? I actually miss his mad pronouncements, his God-complex speeches and his slightly creepy views on women (he was once the head of the World Society of Friends of Suspenders). Still, when the dust settles, no doubt he’ll be there to remind us all how we owe it all to FIFA, and how he should be elected for another four years. Or at least until we really find out the truth about Qatar.
8. BIG NAMES PERFORMING IN BIG GAMES
Exhibit A - Leo Messi. Exhibit B - Neymar. Exhibit C - Thomas Muller. Exhibit D - Wayne Rooney. Which one is the odd one out?
9. COPPING A SPRAY
I’m happy to give it to FIFA on many issues, but I like the vanishing foam used by refs to indicate where free-kicks should be taken, and the ten-metre distance for walls to retreat. Similarly, goal line technology has proved - one minor glitch aside - to be efficient and reliable. Not that we told them so...ahem.
10. ‘ROO MANIA
Yes, people enjoyed the Socceroos performances - but equally impressive was the way they conducted themselves. The image of Mark Bresciano tying the shoelaces of a young fan on crutches underlined what good ambassadors the squad were for Australia. In the wake of this weeks lurid headlines, some players in the other codes would do well to take note.
