Looking the wrong way, have you seen Brazil vs Ghana?

Sadly the world as decided to watch Maradona’s last ‘flying high’ rather than the breathtaking final of the U20 World Cup. The quality of the game made the 120m plus penalties a joy to watch. Brazil made quite an impression in the first quarter – with 72 per cent of possession thru that period, Ghana then responded and started to put their offensive moves on the right way.
Unfortunately for them (and for referee De Bleeckere because it was a mistake, he should have showed a yellow card) a 37 minute sent off to Daniel Addo would change the spirit of the game. For almost an hour, Ghana defended their heart out and has been rewarded with a penalties shootout (4:3) victory after a goalless draw.
To everyone that missed try to watch the full 14 penalties, what a cracker! If you can’t, not a problem, most of these young talents will soon or late arrive in Europe’s finest championships. For history the first World Championship won by an African side and an unbelievable battle between four times champions/seven time’s finalists Brazil and two times second and now champions Ghana. See also my Best eleven for this World Cup, which I wrote a couple of days before the final.

TIP: I have nothing against Diego Maradona, his one of my all time favorites, but do we really need to give him all this kind of attention! Come on Armando, grow up, you’ve putted Argentina in a World Cup, that’s almost as difficult as miss the lottery.

So the group stage as came to an end, joining the rest of the pack we’ve seen Switzerland and Slovakia raising for the occasion.

Switzerland
Co-hosts on the last European, the Swiss’s were hardly a tipped country to go thru the World Cup but they managed to win the group against 2004 continental champions Greece and lost only once.

Best: A lot of players spread around Europe’s top championships, good offensive ability with players on the sidelines like Barnetta and in the middle Vonlanthen or Yakin.
Worst: The defensive line – although some well known players like Senderos – seems too permissive, the lack of international experience will probably be decisive.

Slovakia
Win a group against their former and highly most potential country part Czech Republic, the new generation of players seems eager to please the Slovakians and will give the first taste on a World Cup grand stage.

Best: Won one of the most competitive groups – with Slovakia, Slovenia, Czech Republic and Poland in theory being pretty even – and some confidence-booster rumors saying the second lost was to keep their neighbors out.
Worst: The most permissive defense of all group stage winners with ten conceded goals, lack of experience due to their premier on a final phase of a World Cup.

Slovakia and Switzerland join Denmark, Germany, Spain, England, Serbia, Italy and Netherlands.

On the playoff are the top seeds: Portugal, Greece, Russia and France.
And: Slovenia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Ukraine and Republic of Ireland.

Congratulations also to Honduras that join USA and Mexico on the bus to South Africa from the North, Central America and Caribbean while Costa Rica will play the playoff against South America fifth Uruguay. On that area Argentina finally joins Brazil, Paraguay and Chile.

The final playoffs will be played on 14 and 18 November, the European matches will be known next Monday.

Best Eleven on the Under20 World Cup in Egypt

Before the Great final between Brazil and Ghana (next Friday) I pick my favorite eleven from the Under20 World Cup in Egypt. Like always there are also some great youngsters that I leave out, but like a manager we need to make tough choices.

GK – Esteban Alvarado (Costa Rica, 20 years, club: Saprissa)
With 193cm tall and an awesome presence on the line, Alvarado is also a powerful goalkeeper when it comes to save crosses and dominate the air and is quick on commanding is defense line. When desperation comes he can also go to the opponent’s side and try to score a header.

RB – Cesar Azpilicueta (Spain, 20 years, club: Osasuna)
Already a regular in the ‘la liga’ club, Cesar is a commanding force thru the right. Great stamina what allows him to be also a good support on the offense. But, without a doubt, is the ability to close all doors on the right that makes him a great right-back.

CB – Matteo Gentili (Italy, 20 years, club: Varese)
Typical Italian defender, good pressing capability, tactically perfect, always on the right spot. His major down is the many cards he tend to see. Besides that this Varese on-loan player should soon enough be recalled to Atlanta.

CB – Andras Debreceni (Hungary, 20 years, club: Honved Budapest)
Maybe the player that impressed me the most thru the tournament – I didn’t know him before. It’s mandatory that a top European club gives this man a chance in the next market season. A commanding voice to his teammates, as an awesome ability to mark one-on-one.

LB – Diogo (Brazil, 19 years, club: São Paulo)
Already pointed as a regular on the brazilian giant São Paulo, Diogo is that kind of south American left-back that loves to push the team forward, to that he adds a good defensive ability that makes him show great maturity.

DM – Souza (Brazil, 20 years, club: Vasco da Gama)
He already plays like a European defensive midfielder, highly effective, is always on the ball trajectory. Besides that he adds that typical box-to-box talent of Brazilian players. On the attacking end he’s also a good - in force – free-kick taker.

M – David Guzman (Costa Rica, 19 years, club: Saprissa)
This is the prototype of a great midfielder, ready to defend and to start charging on the same moment. Always on the right spot, Guzman covers a lot of miles per game and adds a good passing capability and an outstanding shoot ability.

OM – Andre Ayew (Ghana, 19 years, club: O.Marseille)
Well, his got the perfect DNA to became a major star. Son of African legend Abedi Pele, this France born talent adds a lot of quality to any midfield. An old-school offensive midfielder, can pushes the right chords to make his team achieve the opponents net.

RW – Abeiku Quansah (Ghana, 18 years, club: Nice)
He’s a modern Speedy Gonzalez; such a frantic pace is always going to damage the opponent’s defense. Adds to that a superb technique and a good scoring capability, like lot a couple of his teammates is probably on his way to play for Ghana in the big boys World Cup.

LW – Giuliano (Brazil, 19 years, club: Internacional)
Hard pick for left winger. The Brazilian captain his more of an offensive midfielder but it would be to unfair to leave him out. The real soul of the South America team can play on any midfield position and as already a couple of clubs from Europe after him.

ST – Dominic Adiyiah (Ghana, 19 years, club: Fredrikstad)
He and Brazil’s Alan Kardec are ex aequo on top striker, with the number of scored goals breaking the tie – 8 vs 4. A great finishing ability, although being a short player – only 170cm – Adiyiah seems to have a great future ahead.

Bus half full to South Africa

Cool weekend, when almost all the European qualifying groups crowned a winner on the pursuit of a World Cup spot. Denmark, Germany, Serbia and Italy have secured a place in the 2010 World Cup and join previous stage winners England, Spain and Netherlands.

Denmark
Underdogs against Portugal and Sweden, the Danish have adopted a nice style of play, with the midfield always working hard and the offense on the feet of their biggest talents.

Best: The offense line, with Bendtner, and veterans Tomasson and Rommedhal on constant pursuit of the ball and with eyes on the opponents net.
Worst: On the other side of the pitch, the defense seems too permissive – remember the game against Portugal? It ended as a draw, but the Portuguese side had more than 15 scoring opportunities. The unbelievable amount of injuries on the last months as to end.

Germany
The European vice-champions have cruised in a tough group. They’re doing an awesome job with youngsters and winning a lot of trophies, now is probably the time of the big boys.

Best: Pragmatic like always, Germany as found a way to use their traditional good strikers, after England they have the best attack of the qualifying round.
Worst: While their full-backs give the right consistency, the centre-backs are too ‘German’, Metzelder, Mertesacker or Westermann have a lot of difficulties on their opponents play the ball thru the grass.

Serbia
The young country as inherited the former-Yugoslavia style of play. Short pass, all ready to aim at the opponents defense. They’ve contributed to France actual crisis.

Best: Very compact and always cohere on the defensive side. A lot of stars like Vidic, Ivanovic, Zigic or Stankovic in the main European championships.
Worst: They tend to have moments when concentration disappear, giving them a lot to work if they want to perform well against the best national sides in the world.

Italy
There’s no passion when the azzurri are playing, it’s all about the score, but they are world champions.

Best: The pragmatism of a score-oriented team that usually delivers. Marcello Lippi back at the helm is a crucial asset.
Worst: Like the Serie A top teams, the oldness of most of his players will probably show when it’s time to make four/five games in two weeks.

Congratulations also: on South America to Chile, that joins Brazil and Paraguay. On Africa to the Ivory Coast, that joins Ghana. On North, Central America and Caribbean to Mexico and USA.

On the playoffs Bahrain drawn 0-0 at home with New Zealand, the All Blacks have home advantage on South Africa road.

Heads or tails? England or Spain?

On the road to South Africa two European squads join Netherlands and put their hands on the qualification.
100 per cent victorious, they both produce an exquisite football, but with same important differences, England influenced by the coach Fabio Capello and Spain by the crushing style of Barcelona.

England
More pragmatic, always with high concentration on defense, uses a direct style of play to win matches.

Best: The midfield duo-Gerrard/Lampard, once called unmatchable by fans all over the world they are now essential to the only midfield that rivals with… Spain.
Worst: The fullbacks, neither Ashley Cole – that seems to have long lost is sparkle – neither Glen Johnson are truly what the doctor orders.

Spain
With a more passing style, they have on ball possession the first weapon to win games. The European champions are once again with high hopes.

Best: Like England, the dynamic duo on the center, Xavi the brain, Iniesta the pace. They bring all the show they give at Barcelona to the national squad.
Worst: The defense, I can’t name one Spanish defender without frowning my eyes. Obviously when you have the ball that’s not much of a trouble...

Also congrets to Ghana and Paraguay. They’re booth with assured presence in South Africa 2010.

On the other side what to say about self-proclaimed giants from Portugal… and France… and Argentina.

Tic-Tac… one week till Champions League

So the time is here, CL is kicking off in a week! If from this point on you’ll be spending 24/7 of your time thinking whose better… who will win… who will fall and who shall rise to the occasion, then you’re a true fan of football.

If not… get the hell out of here!!!

Now that we have the room full of real fans, who do you think will be better?? And worst??
Entering as champions, Barcelona still seems pretty comfortable on their offensive football, but with Inter performing better they shall face a real test in the group stage. For the big four things appear to be pretty easy on the first phase, even Man.Utd and Liverpool lack of form shouldn’t be a problem. Juventus, Porto and Lyon are also hot favorites to go thru.

But on the other side, giants like AC Milan, Real Madrid and B.Munich need to raise their respective games. From the Italian squad the real question is to know how much time will Leonardo get before being sacked, on R.Madrid we still need to understand if Kaka, CR9, Raul, Benzema and the rest of the guys can play like a team, German side Munich is trying to find a new identity under van Gaal guidance, Ribery and Toni are not happy, but Robben and Gomez are making good starts, so let’s wait and see.

Tip: Whatever you bet, one thing is sure, fun is back from one week forward, clock’s ticking starting on 19:45 today.

Why Kaka is different from Messi and Ronaldo

Funny thing about the so called best three in the world, while Kaka put’s consistent and awesome performances both in the club and on the national squad, the two wingers are in very commonly criticized by their displays when playing for caps and extremely attacked by their countryman’s.
Obviously, we can’t point their lack of will or suddenly loss of talent – because nobody wants more a win then the players that step up to field. So, what make the difference?

1 - Kaka plays with a bunch of players that are also world top stars – Júlio César, Maicon, Lúcio, Robinho or Luís Fabiano are in the elite of their respective positions – and while Messi and Ronaldo have some teammates that are also on top – Kun Agüero, Javier Mascherano, Ricardo Carvalho or Deco – all eyes are on this two stars. For media and opponent defenses when playing against Portugal or Argentina will basically try to stop CR9 and Messi – if you’re well succeed, you’ll secure at least one point.

2 – The position on field, Kaka is an old fashion playmaker, always on center field and all the players are eager to give him the ball, they now he’ll push the right cord to put the team in play. On the other end as wingers that usually go to the box, passing the ball to the Portuguese or Argentinean means the end of the road, they rarely pass the ball – or they score or they’ll put it thru the end line – adding more drama to Diego Maradona and Carlos Queiroz, because they’re both on a no-goal streak.

3 – A different mentality an approach to the game that makes Kaka a leader on the pitch and that tends to make Messi and Ronaldo a split factor. When things go poorly the Brazilian his the first to star on defending and trying to serve the other players with scoring opportunities, the two prima donnas never defend and all they’ll do when the team is in trouble is to try and solve everything on a sole way, marking direct free kicks from the center field, aiming for direct corners and other lame moves like that.

Tip: Without a doubt three of the best in the world but what can really explain Kaka’s high performance in Brazil, and Messi’s and Ronaldo’s poor ones on theirs national squads? We’ve heard Deco becoming offended on the Portuguese football chairman said they’ve increased the prize money, but we can’t stop from wondering…