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Introduction:
I cannot think on the World Cup without having flashbacks to our narrow squeak into the 1998 Edition and the promise shown by our then players. Reflecting on the tremendous talent displayed year over year by successive waves of our young causes agonizing introspection on why the talent has not moved in a direction towards fulfilling its potential.
In 1998 we arrived at the World Cup to compete in a group with Croatia, Argentina and Japan. Croatia had a wealth of football pedigree. It was a new country carved out of Yugoslavia. Argentina had already won two World Cups – Mario Kempes’ 1978 Argentina and Deigo Maradona’s 1982 Argentina. Japan’s team, like our TEAM Reggae Boyz, were newbies. …but how valiantly our Boyz fought and how determinedly they tried to play ‘real football’? It was in its attempts at execution, a magnificent display.
The way our TEAM Reggae Boyz played did not suggest that we would have rapidly spiraled downward. …and downward we have gone. Discussions on why this downward trend in the face of Jamaica’s continuous churning out of an abundance of talent is for another day. Today and for the next several weeks we shall be consumed with World Cup 2014 – Brazil!
Let me restate that it has been my past act to, after 1998 and with the exception of 2010, always make prediction of TEAMs advancing from the preliminary group stage and to, once the group winners and runners-up were known, previous to each succeeding match make a prediction on TEAM that I believe would emerge as winner. The final prediction is on who I think would raise the FIFA World Cup trophy.
Based on watching many of the qualifying matches and more recently numerous practice matches/pre-tournament 'International Friendlies' my first prediction shall be: I would be surprised if the World Cup trophy winner is not one of Brazil, Germany, Argentina, Belgium or the Ivory Coast.
I have eliminated from that group Spain and The Dutch.
Spain is now a well-known entity. The big TEAMs have experts who have been following and scientifically dissecting Spain’s play and have been researching and creating methods that allow Spain’s players maximum running around in ‘non-threatening areas’.
Spain has been the World's dominant TEAM since 2008. The players have aged with the TEAM and it shall be extremely difficult for these players to game over game continue to meet the physical demands of the non-stop 'buzz-saw' frantic scurrying around that their type of play demands. Wonderful inventive ‘busy-bee’ running around, highly technical players, great tactical strategy that produces highest of percentage dominance on ball possession and demands full team attack and full team defense. Such a style of play is physically draining. A superbly fit youngman’s and young TEAM’s game. A type of playing that does best with players able to maintain high energy levels for each full game. Just cannot see Spain’s players being able to keep going in this competition where the matches come thick and fast and in a country where humidity can be stifling and oppressive.
To me the Dutch’s curse and blessing is Arjen Robben. Blessed with good pace, fast feet, creative ‘juices’ he can pull apart any defense and on his day destroy any opponent’s plans…however, when one thinks TEAM, he always plays in a manner that suggests he has a brain-lock…a fixity of purpose that locks out just about any other part of TEAM play. His way is, give me the ball and stand and observe. Stop him and you stop the Dutch. TEAM was never made to be played that way. Hey, if it is all about one player or a few players then it is no longer TEAM.
Group predictions –
Group A
Brazil
Croatia
Mexico
Cameroon
Brazil is at home. The climate is welcome. The players are ready. The coach has been here (The World Cup and won it all) and performed twice superbly. He has won with Brazil and presented a superb Portugal.
To win the group – BRAZIL
The other three participants have technical players of just about equal ability, however the Croatians should prove stronger physically and be the most disciplined of the three.
To advance as runners-up – Croatia
Aside: Mexico could lose all 3 games and that would not be good for our CONCACAF.
NB: Remembering 1998, Croatia will be closely watched to observe the TEAM's progress as we weep at our Reggae Boyz regression.
I cannot think on the World Cup without having flashbacks to our narrow squeak into the 1998 Edition and the promise shown by our then players. Reflecting on the tremendous talent displayed year over year by successive waves of our young causes agonizing introspection on why the talent has not moved in a direction towards fulfilling its potential.
In 1998 we arrived at the World Cup to compete in a group with Croatia, Argentina and Japan. Croatia had a wealth of football pedigree. It was a new country carved out of Yugoslavia. Argentina had already won two World Cups – Mario Kempes’ 1978 Argentina and Deigo Maradona’s 1982 Argentina. Japan’s team, like our TEAM Reggae Boyz, were newbies. …but how valiantly our Boyz fought and how determinedly they tried to play ‘real football’? It was in its attempts at execution, a magnificent display.
The way our TEAM Reggae Boyz played did not suggest that we would have rapidly spiraled downward. …and downward we have gone. Discussions on why this downward trend in the face of Jamaica’s continuous churning out of an abundance of talent is for another day. Today and for the next several weeks we shall be consumed with World Cup 2014 – Brazil!
Let me restate that it has been my past act to, after 1998 and with the exception of 2010, always make prediction of TEAMs advancing from the preliminary group stage and to, once the group winners and runners-up were known, previous to each succeeding match make a prediction on TEAM that I believe would emerge as winner. The final prediction is on who I think would raise the FIFA World Cup trophy.
Based on watching many of the qualifying matches and more recently numerous practice matches/pre-tournament 'International Friendlies' my first prediction shall be: I would be surprised if the World Cup trophy winner is not one of Brazil, Germany, Argentina, Belgium or the Ivory Coast.
I have eliminated from that group Spain and The Dutch.
Spain is now a well-known entity. The big TEAMs have experts who have been following and scientifically dissecting Spain’s play and have been researching and creating methods that allow Spain’s players maximum running around in ‘non-threatening areas’.
Spain has been the World's dominant TEAM since 2008. The players have aged with the TEAM and it shall be extremely difficult for these players to game over game continue to meet the physical demands of the non-stop 'buzz-saw' frantic scurrying around that their type of play demands. Wonderful inventive ‘busy-bee’ running around, highly technical players, great tactical strategy that produces highest of percentage dominance on ball possession and demands full team attack and full team defense. Such a style of play is physically draining. A superbly fit youngman’s and young TEAM’s game. A type of playing that does best with players able to maintain high energy levels for each full game. Just cannot see Spain’s players being able to keep going in this competition where the matches come thick and fast and in a country where humidity can be stifling and oppressive.
To me the Dutch’s curse and blessing is Arjen Robben. Blessed with good pace, fast feet, creative ‘juices’ he can pull apart any defense and on his day destroy any opponent’s plans…however, when one thinks TEAM, he always plays in a manner that suggests he has a brain-lock…a fixity of purpose that locks out just about any other part of TEAM play. His way is, give me the ball and stand and observe. Stop him and you stop the Dutch. TEAM was never made to be played that way. Hey, if it is all about one player or a few players then it is no longer TEAM.
Group predictions –
Group A
Brazil
Croatia
Mexico
Cameroon
Brazil is at home. The climate is welcome. The players are ready. The coach has been here (The World Cup and won it all) and performed twice superbly. He has won with Brazil and presented a superb Portugal.
To win the group – BRAZIL
The other three participants have technical players of just about equal ability, however the Croatians should prove stronger physically and be the most disciplined of the three.
To advance as runners-up – Croatia
Aside: Mexico could lose all 3 games and that would not be good for our CONCACAF.
NB: Remembering 1998, Croatia will be closely watched to observe the TEAM's progress as we weep at our Reggae Boyz regression.
Nothing could be that easy.
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