Flip through the latest issue of Gulf Weekly.
The World Cup may only be a few days old but there are already a number of intriguing talking points.
After a limp opening ceremony (described on Page 11) the tournament was set alight in only the eighth minute although not in the way the hosts would have hoped.
The first 11 games have seen 37 goals with no draws, meaning the downward trend of goals scored over the last few tournaments should be reversed. There has been some wonderful artistry from the players full of flicks and dummies, twists and turns, not only when writhing in feigned agony on the floor.
Marcelo’s unfortunate own goal was the first by a Brazilian in FIFA World Cup Finals history and momentarily stunned a shocked home crowd. However, it was the fightback for the Canarinho that sowed the seeds for an ongoing debate concerning the quality of the referees.
Croatia, collectively, was apoplectic that a goal was disallowed, incorrectly as it turned out based on television replays.
The furore created on the opening match day may have resulted in Mexico having a goal disallowed in similar circumstances the following day, although as they still collected the three points for the win, the impact, currently at least, was less devastating.
There have been a number of other controversies and in this rarified high-stakes atmosphere, coaches and players are quick to blame the man with the whistle.
Yet, while some decisions have been ‘proven’ incorrect following detailed high-definition slow-motion replays, the crucial element, from a personal perspective, is how the incident appeared in real-time.
Generally the referees have been in an excellent position to see the majority of decisions and for every error there have been myriad accurate fine calls with off-sides correctly assessed with only inches to spare.
Referees, like goalkeepers, are remembered only for the mistakes. Of course, technology is playing its part this year.
Goal-line technology was officially required for the first time when France’s second goal was adjudged to have crossed the line.
Even Sepp Blatter is a convert, which should mean that referees receive even more help in the future. Indeed trials are currently under way in Holland where the man in the middle is linked to a video analyst who can advise on contentious calls within 20 seconds. Technology is here to stay.
Not all technology is welcome, however. The French team reported an unidentified drone flying over their training sessions which, they believe, belonged to another team wanting to spy on them. The origins are under investigation by FIFA.
That is unlikely to have been Honduras, one of the poorest countries in the region, who appeared intent to batter France into submission.
Les Blues were lucky to escape without serious injury. The tournament has been blessed, to date, with only minor knocks, although England’s physio Gary Lewin, was stretchered off with a dislocated ankle having been too exuberant in his celebrations following Daniel Sturridge’s goal!
The great debate from England’s perspective surrounds Wayne Rooney. As with Manchester United before, he looked uncomfortable on the left wing. Aside from an assist with a delightfully weighted cross he offered little. England’s manager, Roy Hodgson, has to, in my opinion, either play him through the middle in one of his favoured positions or drop him. He is a player who needs to be involved.
This result was also a tremendous example of managing expectations. It now looks like a master-stroke from Hodgson to have dismissed England’s chances a year ago. With expectations so low I struggle to recall another occasion when fans have been happy in defeat, purring at the attacking potential of this young side.
In that game Andrea Pirlo admirably demonstrated that age is no obstacle, even in the searing tropical heat of Manaus.
At the ripe old age of 35 some predicted his demise although nothing could have been further from the truth as England allowed him to move the ball at will.
This game also brought complaints, including from the winning Italian coach, Cesare Prandelli, that there should be official water breaks.
Both teams struggled towards the end despite preparing by training in sweat vests and woolly hats.
The fatigue created by playing in such conditions may also be contributing to the relatively high number of goals being scored in the final minutes of the match. I will be intrigued to review the statistics at the end of the tournament to see if records are broken in this regard.
One of those goals was scored by Vedad Ibisevic who recorded the first ever score for Bosnia-Herzegovina at a World Cup Finals.
Not all so-called ‘older’ players have hit the headlines for the right reasons. The 33-year-old Spanish goalkeeper, Iker Casillas, was forced to apologise to his teammates for his error-prone display which contributed to one the biggest upsets in World Cup history when reigning champions, Spain, were pummelled into a record-breaking 5-1 defeat by the Dutch which had many a purist purring … not least Manchester United fans who now eagerly await the arrival of Louis van Gaal to Old Trafford to wave his magic wand.
This match also served as a lesson to youngsters to take their chances when presented.
Each of the first three goals were scored shortly after the opposition had a chance to slot the ball into the net.
The Dutch could have scored first yet Spain, while leading 1-0, had an excellent opportunity to double their lead when David Silva had only the goalkeeper to beat. They paid the price.
Another shock was Costa Rica’s defeat of Uruguay in their opener in a result that throws the outcome of the group wide open.
This makes the Uruguayan match against England tomorrow one of the most intriguing matches of the coming week. While it is not quite the archetypal ‘must-win’ game, it certainly a ‘must-not-lose’!
Another fascinating match will be Spain’s fixture against Chile tonight. While Spain lost their first match against Switzerland in 2010 before going on to claim the World Cup, it was not such a humiliating experience and the pacey Les Rojas forwards will provide no respite.
This game could be full of goals at both ends. Depending on the outcome tonight, Chile’s final game against Holland on Monday could be a high-octane affair.
Other fixtures in the week which could decide the group include France v Switzerland on Friday and Belgium v Russia on Sunday.
