World Cup 2006 Brazilian Style
Posted at 3:34 am | Filed Under brazil
How exciting is this World Cup. All of the heavyweights in world soccer are battling it out. I have a interest in one team in particular, Brazil.
I lived in Brazil for several years when I was younger. That is where I gained a great appreciation for the “Jogo Bonito” or beautiful game as we would say it in English. The Brazilian people are infatuated with this game. That is all that they do, eat, sleep, and think soccer. There is a saying in Brazil that the kids learn to kick a soccer ball before they even learn to walk. I found that to be true. On days when there was a game being played, especially at the international level, everything shuts down. Nothing is open and do not even think about interrupting someone in the middle of the game. That is taboo, you do not bother anyone during a game. I learned that the hard way. I became accustomed to the way that they followed soccer and I got drawn into it also. We would play soccer every chance that we had. Sometimes we would play with a deflated volleyball because we couldn’t find a real soccer ball. The little kids in the streets would challenge me and a couple other “Americans from the North” to play a game. We would only agree to if we could play a quick pickup game of basketball afterwards. We figured the 12 year old kids would waste us in soccer so we needed some revenge in a game that we called “our” own.
The way that Brazil has grown into the power house of world soccer doesn’t surprise me one bit. The way they adore the game and live it only gives credence to the place that they stand in world soccer. That place is number one, as it should be. I have never seen such fanatics about a sport than the Brazilian people are about soccer. They are so focused and have a swagger about them that they know they are going to win, and thus we see that they are doing just that in this world cup.
I have grown to love the sport of soccer and recognize the “Jogo Bonito” that the Brazilians have learned to master.
Brandon Wright is Administrator of http://www.BNLSport.com.
Tags: Brasil, brazil, Futbol, soccer, world cup, World Cup 2006, WorldcupWho Will Win The Fifa World Cup
Posted at 10:44 am | Filed Under brazil
Many people, including myself are starting to look forward to the world cup of football. The question many people are asking is who is likely to win the tournament? In this article, I give my own viewpoint on this subject and discuss some of the likely contenders (teams) who could win.
The world cup finals are being held in Germany and it promises to be a very exciting and entertaining event. The tournament which only takes place every four years is in my opinion the biggest sporting event which takes place. It means everything to all of the players taking part as well as to the supporters.
Potential winners of the football world cup
Germany
The hosts Germany are always a big threat in the world cup and have an outstanding record in the tournament. The team seems to peak at just the right time and as they are playing on home soil, they must have a great chance. I personally believe though that Germany will be knocked out in the quarter-finals. I think that their best player is Micheal Ballack.
France
The French team have had an outstanding decade and still boast some of the best players in the world. Players like Henry can turn a game in an instant and he is just one of a few players which I could mention.
France should do well but I do not believe have enough to win the tournament.
Holland
I must say that Holland are one team which I love to watch playing football. They approach the game in the right way and their supporters make it a very colourful occasion.
Despite having many top players, Holland always seem to flatter to deceive and this could well be the case this year.
If my home team of England does not win the world cup, I would love to see the Dutch lift the trophy.
Spain
Spain in a way are very much like Holland in that they always seem to fall short despite having many superb players.
On their day the Spanish team can beat the best in the world and should come close this year.
I personally believe that Spain will be knocked out in a penalty shoot out, this is what normally happens to them.
Portugal
After just failing to win the European football championship, Portugal with their Brazilian manager Scolari, will be hoping to go one better in the world cup. It came as quite a shock when Greece beat them in the Final two years ago and this defeat might play on their minds when the pressure is on.
England
Being from England myself, I am obviously hoping that my home nation can lift the trophy for the first time since 1966.
England certainly have enough talent in the team but something always seems to go wrong.
Wayne Rooney has the potential of being the best player at the world cup and if he can stay fit, England will have a great chance.
I personally believe that the English will be eliminated in the semi-finals.
Italy
The Italians have a number of superb footballers but my only concern for them is that they do not always play as a team.
I believe that they should have won a lot more tournaments over the last twenty years and I do not think that they will win this year either.
Brazil
Brazil are by far and away the best team in the tournament. This is my tip for the team which should win the Fifa world cup.
To win the tournament you require something a little bit special and Brazil certainly have that.
The only way I can see them not winning is if they have a bad run of injuries or a series of red cards. Both of these are highly unlikely.
I hope you all enjoy watching the world cup as much as I will, so lets sit back and enjoy this summer of football.
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Tags: brazil, england, FIFA, football, france, germany, Holland, hope, Italy, Spain, tournament, world cupWhy Brazil can’t win FIFA World Cup 2006
Posted at 7:15 am | Filed Under brazil
Before it even arrived on German soil Brazilian team of 2006 is touted as one of the best ever. It has the world best player in it, world cup most prolific scorer, two of the most promising and improved midfield players in Kaka and Robinho. Someone like Juninuo sitting out on bench and couldn’t make a place for himself in starting 11 though he is the most prolific dead ball player in the game now.
Three matches into the tournament the shine is going off. Ronaldinho has huffed and puffed in most of the games so far without any real intent or threat to opposition goal. His only major contribution is the pass to Gilberto to score the third goal against Japan.
Ronaldo is the shadow of the man he once was, though he has scored two goals against Japan I don’t think in the coming matches he will be allowed such luxurious time and space to find the back of the net.
Kaka started brilliantly against Croatia with that peach of strike from outside the 18 yard box but the in the next two matches against Australia and Japan he has to satisfy with half chances strike from outside the box rather than being on the end of a flowing move.
Adriano has scored one but I’m not sure he fits well into this Brazilian system of play, he is more of a European striker than a Brazilian.
Midfield
In the 4-2-2-2 system the two defensive midfielders are stars of the show for Brazil so far in this world cup. Emerson and ZeRoberto has played magnificently breaking down opponents attack, doing the donkey work, winning tackles and allowing the star forward line to operate.
Defense line
The defense line is old with Cafu and Roberto Carlos well into their 30’s and far beyond their glory days. The center back partnership also seems fragile as we have seen over years that Lucio is susceptible of making mistakes.
What is in store for Brazilian team for future?
As we have already seen that Australia and Croatia created a lot of clear cut chances and Japan time and time again able to slip behind the Center backs and Full backs to create opening. The future of Brazilian team seems bleak in this world cup.
If we have a look at the draw, Brazil will face Ghana in the round of 16 and most probably Spain in Quarter finals. Beyond Quarterfinal for this team on present form seem improbable even though I’m not a great fan of Spanish team.
Round of 16 encounter against Ghana
I believe Ghana will be a stern test for the Brazilian team as the Ghanaian team plays at some real tempo and very hard in their tackles. The only thing which counts against them is their experience at the biggest stage and absence of Essien, who is suspended for the match. According to me it will be nail bitter but I guess in the end Brazil will reach into the Quarter finals due to their technical supremacy over the African team.
Quarter Final
This is the year I believe Spain will reach in last four since Brazil 1950. This Spanish team seems a good unit, a mix of youth and experience. Spain will provide massive test to Brazil and to my mind it will mighty hard for Brazil to go beyond Quarter finals.
First and foremost Spain has the players to counter Brazilian treats. Defense lineup headed by Pujol from Barcelona plays day in day out with Ronaldinho and company. Secondly as Brazil till now has only scored goals through some exclusive shots from distance this window will be shutdown by the Spanish as they have the best shot stopper goal keeper in Cassillas. Plus he knows Ronaldo inside out with his time in Real Madrid.
Lack of aerial threat also solves the problem Spanish defense as they themselves are not the greatest in that area.
Spain is a good passing side and possession of the ball with Brazilian players will be less compared to what they had against lesser opponents like Croatia, Australia and Japan. So the opportunities created will be far lesser and greater the pressure on strikers to score goals. Trust you me Ronaldo is not scoring against this Spanish defense and Carlos Perreira is not keeping him on bench either so it will be hard a grind in the park for the Brazilians.
In Torres and David Villa Spain has two hitman who can exploit the space behind aging Cafu and Roberto Carlos. With Febregac and Alonso in the middle ZeRoberto and Emerson will have their handful as we already saw in Arsenal’s match against Juventus in the Champions League earlier this year.
Last but not the least, I don’t discount these things as we saw in Euro 2004, it was a Greece’s year with Athens Olympics. So far it seems like a Spanish year, we have Montoya dominating Formula One, Nadal dominating the tennis circuit and above all Barcelona and Seville are the current holders of Champions League and UEFA Cup.
Anand Mann is a football correspondent in Germany, he decided to write for write term papers on this year global event. He has previously covered FIFA 2002 in Korea and Japan. You can contact him at http://writetermpapers.com Get the latest updates on world cup in daily newsletter from write term papers.
Tags: 2006, brazil, Cafu, david Villa, FIFA, Raul, Roberto Carlos, Ronaldinho, ronaldo, Spain, world cup keep looking »