WORLD CUP FEVER - July
7
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Brazil
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Holland
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How good are Brazil, exactly? Do they play at a different level to
the rest of the world? They may win the World Cup again, but I
haven't seen much evidence to support this fanciful suggestion.
Certainly, they have players with exceptional qualities, but if we
saw them week in week out they'd soon lose that magical aura. Norway
beat thenm, Denmark and Scotland gave them a fright and Holland drew.
Anyone can tell Ronaldo is a superb striker, but how much more does
he have, and why haven't we seen it? It seems a lot to ask of a
21-year-old, that he perform something special every time he gets the
ball, but that's the expectation that comes with being told he's the
world's number one. Blame the media and marketing men for building
him up into a semi-divine being.
This wasn't the classic it should have been, both sides were too
cautious and respectful towards each other. Brazil only seemed to
grow in confidence after taking the lead 22 seconds into the second
half. but then they let Holland fight back, and again they scored in
the dying minutes, Kluivert rising to head home after squandering one
or two earlier headed chances. Bergkamp was largely invisible, his
back to goal, poorly serviced and rarely able to find space to run at
the defence, and Holland missed the pace and creativity of Overmars,
out through injury. Edgar Davids gave a gigantic performance, as good
as any in the whole tournament. Extra time passed with few chances as
both sides grew tired. And then... the forced drama of another
shoot-out. Taffarel showed he's no weak link by saving twice, against
Cocu (perhaps distracted by the referee forcing him to replace the
ball on the spot) and Ronald de Boer, whose stilted run-up spoke of
fatal hesitation.
Not very funny today, sorry. World Cup fatigue.
Results:
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Brazil (0) 1
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Holland (0) 1 *
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Ronaldo 46
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Kluivert 87
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* Brazil won 4-2
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on penalties
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Shots blocked on the line:
Some bookie was offering odds on how often the cameras would show us
Suzana Werner, Ronaldo's girlfriend, during the game. I didn't see
her once.
Your Quote for Today:
'Footballers are only interested in drinks, clothes and the size of
their willies.' Karren Brady
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July 8