|
Cup
of Eastern Promise
The 2002 World Cup
Finals in Japan and Korea will be a special occasion, not only because
after 4 long years of waiting the greatest sporting occasion on the
planet is again upon us, but also for the first time, the event is to
be co-hosted. More significantly however, this will be the first occasion
when the World Cup Finals have not been staged in either Europe or Continental
America. It promises to be a unique sporting occasion.
The decision by
FIFA to have the tournament co-hosted in this part of the world is evidence
of the importance they attach to ensuring all peoples over the world
have access to what is, after all, the world's most popular sport. This
is not the first time FIFA have embarked on such an ambitious journey.
By staging the 1994 World Cup in the USA, which at that time, did not
even class football in it's top 3 sports, FIFA had put at risk the glamour,
excitement and integrity of the World Cup. However, the short-term benefits
merited the decision. A professional league was established and initially
generated a degree of interest from the local population, as well as
from retiring European footballers, much in the same way as Major League
Soccer attracted the likes of Pele and George Best in the 1970's. It
is hoped that staging the World Cup in Japan and Korea will have a similar
effect. The aim is to improve Japan and Korea's passion for football,
and build on the success the area had when it could attract the likes
of Gary Linekar and Toto Schilacci.
At present, FIFA are proof that the rotation policy is not confined
to football dressing rooms. They have been dedicated for some time now
for ensuring that the World Cup is rotated between the continents: Japan
and Korea 2002 is the first net result of this strategy. With Germany
hosting in 2006 and possibly an African country in 2010, it is strange
to think that by 2010 only 1 out of the last 7 tournaments would have
been staged in South America, the last one being Mexico in 1986. The
tournament may not return there until 2014, when domestic problems that
contributed to the devaluing of the Copa America this year will have
been eradicated. Getting the World Cup to all parts of the world is
a welcome change to the monopoly held in recent years by Europe and
South America.
By hosting the tournament,
Korea and Japan offer the footballing world 2 advantages. Firstly, with
economies that have been at the forefront of technology for what seems
like an eternity, they have provided the tournament with a quality of
stadia that is unsurpassed at previous tournaments and, which indeed
would take a lot of beating in the future. Secondly, their youthful
love of the game and their genuine enthusiasm to successfully host the
World Cup should result in an unforgettable experience for all.
There is something
mysterious and magical about this part of the world. Anyone who has
visited there would agree that it holds a certain mystery and cultural
charm. Watching the World Cup being played there will also prove to
be a magical experience and will reinvigorate what World Cup football
means. Watching two different teams with their differing cultures clashing
at ungodly hours is the essence of World Cup football. The further away
the tournament is being played; paradoxically the closer one can feel
to the action. Japan and Korea will re-install the pleasant but believable
myth that the World Cup is better when it is held far from homely shores.
Ultimately, the question is: who will win the World Cup? For me Argentina
must be clear favourites. Throughout qualification, they have proven
to be the form team on the planet. They excel in producing scintillating
football and have a squad full of experienced, quality players. Importantly,
with the exception of a few additions, it is predominantly the same
group of players who lost to Holland in dramatic circumstances in France
'98. A sense of togetherness and team spirit has been fostered over
the last 4 years. The ease in which they qualified from their South
American qualifying section is testament to this. To experience and
class, add youthful extravagance: Pablo Aimar of Valencia and Javier
Saviola of Barcelona were unheard of 4 years ago. Now they rank amongst
the world's finest. It only adds strength to Argentina's cause. They
undoubtedly have the necessary qualities to succeed in a campaign that
can stretch to as long as 6 or 7 weeks.
Additionally advantageous
to them, is that no European team in living memory has won the World
Cup when staged outside Europe. Traditionally, South American teams
find themselves World Champions off European soil. Climatic reasons
are major contributory factors towards this. South American teams are
more used to playing at altitude and at searing temperatures, whereas
European teams are not. Although next summers competition is neither
held in Europe or South America, the conditions will be familiar to
the South American's. Therefore, one has to consider the best team in
South America as clear favourites to win the competition.
France, of course,
has a chance. However, I feel they may have peaked at Euro 2000, ironically
a tournament that they perhaps should not have won. It should also be
noted that Zinedane Zidane has hinted of international retirement after
the World Cup. Although this will instil a determination within him
to secure the team's second successive World Cup victory, I feel as
though the conditions will prove to much for a man who has undoubtedly
felt the strain of being the worlds most expensive player at the world's
most famous club. It would be dramatic indeed, if arguably the best
footballer of the past decade bows out as world champion for a second
time, but it is unlikely to happen.
Apart from Argentina,
I tip England and Portugal to do well. England undoubtedly has a squad
capable of winning the World Cup. Sven Goran Eriksson has developed
a well-disciplined team, but it all depends on their ability to rely
less on Michael Owen and find plenty of goals from elsewhere. Portugal,
meanwhile, can make an impact with the likes of Figo, Rui Costa and
Nuno Gomes. I feel as though it could be their time to step out of World
Cup obscurity. They played brilliant football at Euro 2000 and were
unlucky to be knocked out by the French. A semi-final place is definitely
within their capabilities.
Other contenders
include the old guard, Brazil and Italy. However, if Brazil were to
win the World Cup next year it would be one of the biggest surprises
of recent footballing times. Before this years qualifying campaign they
had only lost 1 World Cup qualifying game in their history. This time
round they lost 5, narrowly avoiding a tricky play-off with Australia.
Criticism from an angry Brazilian public and press has been well founded:
skilful, free flowing Brazilian footballers are a fading memory. It
remains to be seen whether the return of the masterful Ronaldo will
do enough to inspire them to play the football we have come to adore
over the years---- It could be that sombre will prevail over samba.
Conversely, Italy are in better shape, but psychologically they are
in great danger. A lot will depend on their ability to forget the fact
that will haunt every one of their players and fans: they have been
knocked out of the last 3 World Cups on penalty shoot outs.
Whoever emerges
victorious, football fans around the world will be treated to a plethora
of colour and culture. Let us just hope the matches can mirror the quality
and excellence of their surroundings.
|
