Page 59 - Tehelka Issue 13 - July 15, 2018

FIFA World Cup

not as dynamic but still influential, their struggles to find the same kind they boast the likes of Cavani and
and new talent like Isco and Koke of balance for which they had been Suarez in attack. Their match in the
have emerged, Spain do not look as lauded for in the previous edition, next round against a similarly dull
strong as before. Both Spain and su- remains. Fans of Die Mannschaft but efficient Portugal side promises
perstar Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portu- will hope that Kroos’ moment of to be a hard fought one.
gal, the reigning European champi- brilliance becomes a turning point Iran, Morocco, Serbia, Switzer-
ons, found qualification to the next for them as they seek victory and land, Senegal, Japan, Colombia,
round a tough task as Iran and Mo- also an improved performance in Denmark, Nigeria, Iceland and
rocco gave a really good account of their last game against South Korea. hosts Russia have all played well,
themselves in Group B. The gap be- It may be recalled that despite but the free-scoring Belgians, the
tween the traditional favourites and participation by 79 nations in the masterful Croatians and the rapid
others has narrowed. World Cup history of the tournament thus far, Mexicans have arguably been the
holders Germany were on the brink only eight nations have won the three most impressive sides in the
of a humiliating knockout, having FIFA World Cup since the tourna- world cup so far. Yet, whether they
lost to a Mexico side who, led by ment began in 1930. These are Bra- can keep up their performances in
‘Chucky’ Lozano, counterattacked zil, Italy, Germany, Argentina, Uru- the latter stages of the competition,
with such ferocity that their shock- guay, England, France and Spain. when experience really plays its
ing 1-0 win against Germany could However, this World Cup may turn part, remains a question for many.
actually have been much, much out to be a different ball game alto- There’s always a first time though,
• New wave worse for the Germans whose gether. The omens were there even
New teams are famed midfield was cut through like before the finals began, as four time
springing sur- knife through butter. The elegant winners, Italy, failed to even qualify The free-scoring
prises and spoil- Toni Kroos, with ice in his veins, for a World Cup for the first time
ing the chances scored a fabulous last minute free since 1958. The only team to have Belgians, the
of traditional kick to just about beat Sweden and bettered those four wins is Brazil, masterful Croatians
favourites keep Germany in contention, but who drew 1-1 against Switzerland
in their opening match, and only and the rapid
managed to score against Costa
Rica in extra time, resulting in tears Mexicans have
of relief by their star man Neymar. arguably been
Their qualification to the next round
is not yet confirmed as the Swiss, the three most
like them, are on four points, and in impressive sides in
their last match Brazil play a tough
Serbia side that are just one point the world cup so far
behind. Thus, traditional power-
houses such as Brazil, Argentina,
Germany, Spain and Portugal have right? So, even though there may be
found the going tough. England and no surety about who the favourites
France have enjoyed better results are this time, one thing seems sure,
but several critics have questioned this is going to be be a very interest-
the quality of their performances or ing world cup!
the quality of the opposition they’ve
played against. Uruguay, who have Note: This article was written on 26
only recently regained their rel- June, before the last round of matches
evance in the football world, topped in Groups E to H.
Group A with full points and a goal
difference of +5. But this was aided The writer is a student at the DAV
by a complacent Russian side who College, Chandigarh, who played for
gifted them an own goal, played National School Games and Subroto
with ten men for much of the match Cup Football Tournamnt named
and rested several starters, having after Indian Air Force Air Marshal
already qualified for the next round. Subroto Mukerjee.
Uruguay are defensively strong, but
seem surprisingly dull, even though letters@tehelka.com

Tehelka / 15 july 2018 59 www.Tehelka.com

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