Weird, very weird, but the “They-Should-Have-Won-It” theme got once again reinforced today. The game and then my blog, both have become very predictable, narrating unpredictable storyline. One team goes ahead by 2 goals. And then it loses, sometimes in the last one minute. Then I write a blog with the same story line, same theme, same adjectives such as “amazing”, unbelievable” and so on and so on. What can I do? I am helpless.
Germany stunned Australia 4-3 (without penalty shootout) and AGAIN wrote a comeback script. As I had mentioned in the last blog, I started taking notes while watching the game. These European (and Aussie) teams start zonal defense and offense initially. Occasionally they may penetrate individually, but they mostly rely on high-speed passes and centering in the penalty circle. But Germany was aggressive in defense today and attacked Aussie players every time they had a ball, disturbing their rhythm. Then Aussies literally skipped the passes through the midfield and started scooping the ball from defense straight to the players near penalty circle. This kind of chess game is simply not visible on TV (One needs to be in the stadium). There were many switches by individual players from one position to another, sometimes synchronizing with the rotations. But eventually, Germany scored in less than two minutes to equalize and then scored again with only 5 seconds left. Yes, when freaking only five seconds were left in the game. I am just not sure if any of such goals can be captured through any strategies.
We were talking in the stadium about India’s Pargat Singh’s comeback goal in the 1985 Champions trophy from falling behind 1-4 and then winning against Germany. India scored four goals in the last fifteen minutes in that game. But that comeback was just in one match! And it is happening here in the whole tournament. As I said, the theme is “They-Should-Have-Won-It”.
The other game between Netherlands and Belgium was a classic battle, a very exciting European style of play at the highest level of skills with lots of drama. They eventually tied at 2-2 and Belgium won the shootout (both exactly the same way as in the finals of the last world cup in exactly the same Kalinga stadium.)
Do you know that Germany’s first three goals were scored on penalty corners by Gonzalo Peillat, who was Argentina’s striker until just a couple of years ago. Even as an immigrant myself, I still have this question for all of you as readers: Is it fair for any sportsman, who developed his game in one country, migrates to another country and quickly starts representing them? This is happening in all sports and in fact, in all fields. Who is supposed to represent the nation? I do not know the conclusive answer even to myself. But I certainly rarely watch professional league matches as I perceive that players do not have loyalty, affiliation, attachment and even passion to the team that they represent. That is why in the USA, I just watch college games. I am lucky that as an immigrant I do not have this dilemma. I officially neither represented the USA nor India in anything.
Finally, Indian won against Japan 8-0 in an inconsequential game for 9th to 16th rank. Good news is that India found a way to score, at least in the second half.
Only two more days are left in the tournament. I had never imagined such a crazy tournament even in my wildest dreams. What a World Cup to watch!
