Paul Vickery who is one of the better soccer pundits published a piece on
ESPN soccer stating that the Brazilian coach, Scolari, has indicated that 80 percent
of the Brazilian team for the World Cup 2014 has already been selected. Based
on the success of the Confederation Cup, I doubt if Scolari will tinker with his
starting eleven or the bench. Scolari has a lot to do with accelerating the work
rate of every member of the squad. The forwards are expected to fall back and
defend. The mid-field players and full backs are expected to join in the attack.
It’s a full court press for ninety minutes and especially in the final with Spain,
Brazil out-hustled, out-muscled the Spaniards.
The pre-Scolari teams tended to play too slow, were too tardy and lacked
intensity. That is anti-thetical modern football. Like the workers of the world,
international players must have a high rate of productivity. Unlike the workers of
the world, the professional soccer players are well paid.
Does that mean there is no hope for Ronaldinho, Robinho or Kaka?
Ronaldinho has recovered some form since returning to Brazil and has taken his
team, Atletico Mineiro, to the final of Copa Libertadores. But at 33 can
Ronaldinho play on two sides of the ball? He certainly is capable of defense
splitting passes but for Scolari that might not be enough.
Robinho has fallen off a cliff. A.C. Milan was negotiating a transfer to
Santos of Brazil but the transfer negotiations have broken down. Robinho doesn’t
seem to be in the plans of A.C. Milan and his hefty salary of 4 million pounds
makes it a chore for another club to give the once Brazilian star an opportunity to
play on a regular basis.
Kaka’s career also plummeted once moving to Real Madrid. Plagued by
injuries and the garguantun footprints of Ronaldo, Mourinho kept him in the
shadows. With the advent of Ancellotti, Kaka hopes that he will be given more
playing time. Whether that will mean space on the Brazilian national team, that
will not be an easy task.
Scolari’s message is that Brazil has entered a new age and the stars of
yesteryear must be confined to the history books.
Time is running out for the Brazilian team to get their act together for the
2014 World Cup in Brazil. Brazil who was rated as the top team in the world in
2002 is now rated at number eighteen and falling. In recent warm-up games, the
Selecao have lost to England (2-1), drawn with Italy (1-1) and drawn with Russia
(2-2).
Scolari is not waiting on official friendlies and have started playing
friendlies using their local based players. In a game against Bolivia, Brazil won
handsomely 4-0 and against Chile drew 2-2.
Brazil has two pending international friendlies coming up against England
and France. Brazil is the host of the Confederation Cup which serves as the
forerunner for the World Cup. The Confederation Cup will be played in Brazil
from June 15-30, 2013 and should be a test as to where the Scolari coached
squad is in preparation for 2014 World Cup. In the Confederation Cup, Brazil will
compete against Spain, Germany, Argentina, Japan and others.
There is no lack of talent inside or outside of Brazil. Brazil did not perform
well in the 2006 World Cup when they were knocked out by France. Under
Dunga’s tutelage, Brazil also was knocked out in the quarter final in South Africa
when they lost to the Netherlands. From 2012 to 2013 Brazil has been struggling
to be like Brazil. Under Mano Menezes the Selecao never found their stride and in
a practice match against Germany were clobbered. The Brazilian Federation lost
confidence in Mano and called back Scolari who had won the World Cup for Brazil
in 2002. Scolari in 2014 will either be the hero or the goat.
In a recent interview with a Brazilian publication, Scolari indicated that he
will go either with Kaka or Ronaldinho as his playmaker. Kaka was recalled for the
friendlies against Italy and Russia. Ronaldinho was recalled for the English game
and then again for the matches against Bolivia and Chile. Kaka has not managed
to break into Real Madrid’s starting team and has not looked like the Kaka of old.
Ronaldinho in the game at Wembley against England was taken off at half time
but against Bolivia, the old maestro looked like the Ronaldinho of old. Scolari has
stated that he has been impressed with Ronaldinho’s form at Atletico Minero. In
the Bolivian game, Neymar and Ronaldinho combined beautifully and Neymar has
expressed a preference for playing beside Ronaldinho.
Scolari will soon name his squad for the Confederation Cup and that will tell
us which players are likely to represent Brazil in the 2014 World Cup. There is no
shortage of talent. As central defenders, there are David Luiz, Thiago Silva, Dante
and Dede. As full backs, there are Dani Alves, Rafael, Marcelo and Adriano. In
mid-field, there is Paulinho, Hermanes, Ramires, Oscar and Ferdinand. As
forwards, there is Hulk, Neymar, Kaka, Ronaldinho, Osvaldo, Damiao and Fred.
Kaka or Ronaldinho is considered to play the role as playmaker, but Scolari should
not overlook Coutinho who has shown at Liverpool that he is a mega star in the
making.
Scolari must bring players who can forge the right chemistry. That
togetherness will determine whether Scolari is the right man for the job or one
who will suffer a similar fate like his predecessors, Dungo and Menezes. In the
world of soccer, managers can determine whether teams achieve greatness or
wallow in mediocrity. At this juncture in their football history, Brazil is in need of
a Sir Alex Ferguson. If Scolari succeeds, he will be known not as “Big Phil” but as
“Sir Felipe”.
By Bagga Wilks The 2018 World Cup will be staged in Russia and in 2022 in Qatar. There was gnashing of teeth as strong delegations from England and the United States made gallant efforts to stage the World Cup in their respective territories. The British trotted out Prime Minister David Cameron and Prince William in their quest to double up on obtaining the Olympic Games in 2012.
After an intense month of World Cup there are other teams that are fighting for a lot more. If you're not a fan of divas diving the Homeless World Cup 2010 in Rio might be for you. It's a street-soccer tournament that has been going on for 7 years that has been established to empower less-fortunate futbolers around the globe. Pay attention to the real life drama from September 19-26. More info here.
The finances of League football is full of the top players from around the world, but when they return to their home country for the World Cup, all the money can't buy you players. Here's a breakdown of where the players on each country play during the League year. Focus is on the 5 major leagues in Europe(Serie A, La Liga, EPL, Bundesliga, & Ligue 1).
The art community is really jumping in on the World Cup fever. Just letting you know 8days left. ESPN and ad agency Wieder + Kennedy teamed up to create epic artwork that draws on cultural and footy references that are too good to ignore. All 32 teams are represented and you can view them here.
Ahead of 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™, which kicks off on 11th June, Louis Vuitton today unveiled the travel case it has created to hold football’s greatest prize, the FIFA World Cup Trophy.
Commissioned by FIFA, the special order case, handmade by a single master craftsman in Louis Vuitton’s historic Asnières workshop near Paris, has been meticulously designed to accommodate the celebrated Trophy, which measures 36 cm in height, weighs 6.175 kg and is made of solid 18-carat gold with a base of semi-precious malachite. Covered in Louis Vuitton’s iconic Monogram canvas, the travel case is fitted with the company’s signature brass lock and corners, and has a dark brown lining that complements the Trophy’s rich gold.
Like all Louis Vuitton special orders, the FIFA World Cup Trophy case was made at the company’s original workshop in Asnières, which opened in 1859. The case opens at the front and at the top to allow the Trophy to be removed easily when, at the final on 11th July in Johannesburg, watched by many millions of people across the globe, it will be presented.
10 DAYS BEFORE THE WORLD CUP, THE 2ND ANNUAL KICKING & SCREENING SOCCER FILM FESTIVAL BRINGS GLOBAL SOCCER FILMS TO NEW YORK
Featuring 3 U.S. Premieres, Kicking & Screening’s 2nd edition boasts five feature films and six shorts from all over the globe. The festival will also be complemented by nightly panel discussions based on the film topics. Special guests will include Simon Kuper (Soccernomics) and Ethan Zohn (Survivor, Grassroot Soccer), among others. The soccer film festival playing at New York City's Tribeca Cinemas next week, June 1-5, 2010
JUNE 1: The 12th Man
Feature: Fifteen Minutes that Shook the World — directed by David Kirby. This English film is a humorous slant on the most compelling Champions League final of all time: Liverpool’s miraculous comeback from a 3-0 halftime deficit to AC Milan in 2005.
First Short: Because There Are Things You Never Forget — directed by Lucas Figueroa (Italian with subtitles). Naples, 1950. Four friends play football on a deserted street when one accidentally kicks the ball into a mean old signora’s yard. They may never play with their treasured ball again, but they will get their revenge.
Second Short: Loucos de Futebol (Beyond Soccer) — directed by Halder Gomes (Portuguese with subtitles). This short examines the Brazilians’ passion for football that proves, contrary to what some might believe, the world’s most popular sport is much more then just 22 men chasing a ball on the pitch.
JUNE 2: War and Football
Feature: Last Yugoslavian Football Team
Directed by Vuk Janic. (Serbian and Croatian with subtitles) — This poignant dissection of Yugoslavia’s upheaval in the 1990s is seen through the former nation’s “Golden Generation” of players. Tensions climax in the qualifying rounds for the 2000 Euro Championships when wartime enemies Croatia and Yugoslavia face off against each other on the soccer field for the first time.
Short: Ana’s Playground
Directed by Eric Howell — A multiple award-winner on the film-festival circuit, this suspenseful cat-and-mouse game played between a young sniper and a soccer-playing girl will keep viewers on the edge of their seats.
JUNE 3: The Man in the Middle
Feature: El Arbitro (The Referee)
Directed by Justin Webster and Eriz Zapiriain; (Spanish with subtitles) — This film captures the unique and revealing perspective of a top referee—working a day job during the week—who is tasked with keeping control of a fiercely contested game between Barcelona and Espanyol.
Short: L’Arbitro (The Referee)
Directed by Paulo Zucca (Italian with subtitles) — An Italian referee demoted and exiled to the remote island of Sardinia finds out what it takes to handle a real match.
JUNE 4: The Power of the Game
Feature: Eine Andere Liga (Another League)
Directed by Buket Alakus (German with subtitles) — This powerful feature tells the story of a young football-loving Turkish woman in Germany who is diagnosed with breast cancer. With the news of her illness, all seems lost. Redemption is found through the game as she reconciles her life with her family, her confused feelings for a new coach, and her new self.
JUNE 5: To Africa, With Love
Feature: The Game of Their Lives
Directed by Daniel Gordon (English/Korean with subtitles) — A fascinating “behind-the-curtain” snapshot of the seven surviving members of the North Korean national team that upset Italy in the 1966 World Cup. With unprecedented access to North Korea and the players, this film relives one of football’s most magical moments and its aftermath.
Short: Africa 10
Directed by Jason Mercer. This is a sneak peak at an American feature set to be released this fall. From kids kicking a homemade ball in the street, to passionate fans, community activists, world leaders, aspiring young players and African soccer legends, this street-level view of Africa’s first World Cup depicts the rich—and at moments heartbreaking—story of life and football on the continent.
Tickets for NYC Kicking & Screening 2010 Festival
Tickets for K&S are on sale now. The cost is $14.00 per ticket for each event.
“Defender” packages, which include one full-festival pass, one Kicking & Screening t-shirt and acknowledgement on the K&S website are available for $65.
Tickets will be available only online at Ticket Turtle.
Additional information on the films and more K&S details can be found at:
Website: http://www.kickingandscreening.com/ Facebook: K&S Fan Page Twitter: @KSFilmFest
I truly would have liked to hear what the attempts were like when Jay-Z and Alicia Keys went into the studio to try and create a mega-hit-smash song for the 2010 World Cup. But, it looks like they just got inspired by K'Naan's Waving Flag, but this flag is more like surrender. According to Ms. Keys,
"If we did a record about soccer it would be obvious we didn't know much more about the sport than who David Beckham is," (The Sun)
Time for a little Futbolr intervention in the Empire State!!
The World Cup in South Africa is under 3 months away and this is the video of the song that you will either love or hate by the end of The Beautiful Tournament. The only thing missing in K'naan's video is some futbolr gear.
Compete as one of 199 teams from qualification right through to a virtual simulation of the 2010 FIFA World Cup Final. Play in any of the 10 official stadiums that come to life with the passion and excitement of the 2010 FIFA World Cup
With this year’s South African FIFIA World Cup looming large on the sporting calendar you can expect the football tie-ins to start hitting thick and fast.
