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World Cup 2002: A Review (Written Monday, July 1st)
This world cup had many unexpected twists and valiant efforts. Aside for some bad ref-ing and faking, it was pretty damn good. The following is a list of teams I found played an outstanding or interesting role in the tournament.
BRAZIL
Game: Brazil-Germany (Final)
Moments: Cafu recieving the world cup trophy from Pel� and raising it above his head and Ronaldo's two marvelous goals.
Bad moment: Rivaldo faking a head shot from a Turkish player prior to a corner in Turkey-Brazil (1st round). This player got a red card.
Players: Ronaldo, Rivaldo, Ronaldinho, Cafu, Denilson, Roberto Carlos (This whole team was great)
ITALY
Game: Italy-Mexico
Moment: Once Italy had found out that Croatia had lost to Ecuador and they had made the finals), the Azurri were relieved. 3 minutes of stoppage time passed as the Mexicans lobbed the ball to each other.
Bad Moment: Vieri's left-legged miss on Korea right after Korea's first goal.
Players: Cristian Vieri, Francesco Totti
SENEGAL
Game: Senegal-France (1st game of cup)
Moment: "La petite dance" which followed Bouba Diof's game-winning goal. The players danced around a Senegal jersey.
Player: Papa Bouba Diof
U.S.A.
Game: USA-Portugal
Moment: When #12 of USA scored on his own net. Luckily the states were up by two goals when this happened.
Player: #12
FRANCE
Game: France-Uraguay
Moment: France's Henri got a red card during this match for a tackle. This unfair call cost France a spot in the second round.
Players: Henri (For hitting the crossbar too many times) and Zidane (For sitting out France-Senegal)
GERMANY
Game: Germany-South Korea (Semi-final)
Moment: Michael Ballack's rebound goal over Korea.
Player: Oliver Kahn
CROATIA
Game: Croatia-Italy
Moment: Croatia's comeback victory against Totti's squad added an element of uncertainty in Mexico's division. Too bad that two of Italy's goals were discounted due to offside.
PORTUGAL
Game: Portugal-Poland
Moment: This game really sped up once Pauletta scored Portugal's second goal. Pauletta obtained his 2nd and 3rd goals in this match and could have very well gotten his 4th and 5th.
Players: Pauletta, Beto
ECUADOR
Game: Ecuador-Croatia
Moment: Ecuador's 1-0 win over Croatia guaranteed Italy a spot in the second round, only to be eliminated by Korea.
ARGENTINA
Game: Argentina-England
Moment: This game eventually determined Argentina's elimination from the tournament (along with Argentina-Sweden). A decent game from an Argentinian squad that was far more capable.
Players: Ortega, Batistuta (Batigol!!)
SWEDEN
Game: Sweden-England
Moment: Not really a moment, but this game was one of the most action-packed games in the world cup, with many rallies and ball movement. Bravo to Sweden for holding on for a tie.
TURKEY
Game: Turkey-Korea (3rd place)
Moment: The hug of comraderie between the Turkish and Korean players after the game. This is true sportsmanship.
Players: Hakan Shukur, Rustu
ENGLAND
Game: England-Brazil
Moment: Seaman's valiant effort to fend off the Brazilians after being injured. One tough mafiosi (lol).
Players: David Beckham, Micheal Owen, Seaman
SOUTH KOREA
Game: Korea-Turkey (3rd place)
Moment: Korea's desperation goal in stoppage time to make the game 3-2. Great, heroic perhaps, goal.
Players: The Korean Fans
Tomorrow Brazil will win their 5th world cup. This may seem obstinate as I am writing this the day before the finals, but anyone would agree. Brazil with its superior (if not ultimate) wave of forwards, Ronaldinho, Rivaldo, and Ronaldo will surely crush Oliver Kahn with a fury of goals. I say this as two of Germany's players have been given yellow cards in their semi final games, giving Brazil an undeniable advantage. Many say this game will be close, with Kahn in nets it should be so. As the games end, now is the time to look back at the tournament.
Much has been said about poor officiating in the cup dismantling the cup in favour of the underdogs, specifically S. Forea. I believe that that is not so, instead I believ for far too long a European bureaucracy had put several weak teams into undue teams. Perhaps this is a stretch and the officiating had been lopsided, but the refs are not totally at fault. While agreeing that Totti's red card was unfair, The first goal by Korea on Italy during Korea-Italy should have been easily saved or defended and Vieri should have scored with his right foot during regulation time. The Azurri should have also made the second round without counting on Croatia's loss. Henri's card was also unfair, but this does not justify the loss to Senegal due to overconfidence. Th underdogs did well this time: Senegal, Korea, and Turkey specifically. The disappointments of this cup: France, Italy, Argentina. The unfortunate losers: Portugal, Spain, England (they should have played Brazil in the final).
This cup was good though. Although (except for Brazil and England-think Beckham and Owen) there was little in the name of outstanding team talent, there was much good emotion - from the wonderful Korean fans. Starting from endless chants in red to the fabulous comraderie between Korea and Turkey after the 3rd place match.
Bengal Tiger
The true heavyweights of soccer met today, emulating a memorable match. Deutschland was very solid in their defence and in their corners. However, with some luck, Marcos of Brazil deflected the well timed shots of Bierhoff and Neuville. Kahn played his role as leader holding off Ronaldo for the first half. Then came brazil's goal scored by Ronaldo off the deflection of Rivaldo's kick. Yeaaaaaaaaaaaah! Ronaldo's next goal put him in sole possession of the golden boot with 8 goals in this tournament and 12 goals in all. Brazil's defence held off well against Germany's unyielding onslaught of corners, special mention to Cafu and perhaps Roqu� Jr. Germany dominated this match in the first half due to their solid defence and Omnipotent goalkeeper, Kahn. But there was far too much faking in the match. The referee was very good in that respect in keeping the flow of the game. Good game, a heartfelt struggle between the two juggernauts of soccer who had never met in the world cup prior to this match.
Bengal Tiger