It wasn't as we dreamt it. We did everything to be the world champions, but at the end Argentina got the big chance to win the prize. Argentina did a smart match...they scored in the precise moments. Argentina is a fair winner. But Argentinians did not need extra help. They are good enough to win games by themselves and do not need extra help from the referee. It is not that the referee scored himself, but God he truly helped that to happened. Referees are supposed to be neutral, to impart justice in the field. But this referee wasn't fair....it wouldn't matter that much if the referee made mistake on both sides, but it makes you get really mad when he calls fouls in only one side and, on top of that, gives yellows cards only to one team for similar plays. I've been an amateur soccer player since I was 5 and believe me that you feel so impotent and so angry when a refeere charges the field against you that you hardly think of the consequences of what you do. I try to imagine what that feeling is when you are playing a worldcup final. Anyways, it is what it is.
My congratulations to the Argentinian team, they are fair winners. But my most profound congratulations to the Chilean team who, though lost, fought until the end.
Showing posts with label Soccer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Soccer. Show all posts
Thursday, July 19, 2007
FIFA U-20 World Cup: Chile-Argentina, half time
The first half of the match is now over. Chile is playing with 10 men (Medel saw the red card at min 15) and Argentina is playing with 12 men, 11 of them wearing the 'albiceleste' t-shirt and 1 wearing a yellow one...I've heard the players calling this man the referee...trying to be objective (though I admit is quite hard), the referee is just a huge shame!
Let's hope second half brings the luck to the Chilean team to change the fate of the game!!!!
Let's hope second half brings the luck to the Chilean team to change the fate of the game!!!!
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
FIFA U 20 World Cup: And the Czechs made it!
It is amazing how a team that plays so defensively could have made it to the final. The game of Austria-Czech Republic (0:2) has been one of the most boring games I've seen during the tournament. And it seems it wasn't only me. People in the stadium got fun making the 'wave' instead of watching the game. This sort of things makes you wonder whether soccer has some logic whatsoever. There were plenty of good and entertaining teams (Spain, Mexico, USA) and we got two semifinalist that seemed to be playing to avoid being score instead of scoring. Anyways, there is a lection to be learned from all this: sometimes to be champions you do not to need to please the fans; after all, once you are the champion everything else doesn't matter. Perhaps this is what the Czechs have in minds...if they win the tournament, the only lasting thing will be the fact that they were the champions. In any case, it is still early for the Czechs to sing victory...they will have to face either Chile or Argentina (I truly believe it will be Chile) and I am sure either team (once again, I hope it's Chile) will know how to revenge the good soccer.
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
FIFA U-20 World Cup: Why Chile will beat Argentina
Last saturday, the match of Chile againts Nigeria was one full of emotions. On the one hand, I saw lots of chilean fans crying when the National Anthem was executed and when the game was over. On the other hand, I saw a chilean team full of joy, happiness and commitment to accomplish the only goal that's worth reaching: the trophy accreditating that they are the World Champions.
This match was followed by the one between Argentina and Mexico. I've got to say the game was nice watching, with full of technicalities on both sides, but not that emotinal as the Chile-Nigeria one. Argentina was slightly superior to Mexico, but I believe Mexico could have had better luck. However, as in the case of Spain, games are won win goals and this time Argentina scored one more than Mexico. This result sealed the fate of one semifinal in which Chile will face Argentina for a place in the final this saturday. I, as many others, believe this game should have been the final instead. But fate dictated that only one of the team gets to have the chance to play the final. In any case, any team that gets to the final will be an excellent representative of one of the best soccer in the world: the South American one, a soccer that is still played as a game that delights the espectator's eyes, and not as a battle between two technical teams that do whatever it takes to be winner (see the case of the Czech Republic) but nothing to please the public.
Notwithstanding the slight advantage Argentina may have over Chile, this time my bets are with the Chilean team. They have shown to be a real team and not to depends almost exclusively on one or two players. But what's more important, they have shown to have the desire to be champions. And sometimes, when technique isn't enough, the players' courage is what decides the fate of a game. Thus, if something close to justice exists in soccer, Chile should be the champion not only for their soccer but also for their courage, their spirit and their desires to be champions.
This match was followed by the one between Argentina and Mexico. I've got to say the game was nice watching, with full of technicalities on both sides, but not that emotinal as the Chile-Nigeria one. Argentina was slightly superior to Mexico, but I believe Mexico could have had better luck. However, as in the case of Spain, games are won win goals and this time Argentina scored one more than Mexico. This result sealed the fate of one semifinal in which Chile will face Argentina for a place in the final this saturday. I, as many others, believe this game should have been the final instead. But fate dictated that only one of the team gets to have the chance to play the final. In any case, any team that gets to the final will be an excellent representative of one of the best soccer in the world: the South American one, a soccer that is still played as a game that delights the espectator's eyes, and not as a battle between two technical teams that do whatever it takes to be winner (see the case of the Czech Republic) but nothing to please the public.
Notwithstanding the slight advantage Argentina may have over Chile, this time my bets are with the Chilean team. They have shown to be a real team and not to depends almost exclusively on one or two players. But what's more important, they have shown to have the desire to be champions. And sometimes, when technique isn't enough, the players' courage is what decides the fate of a game. Thus, if something close to justice exists in soccer, Chile should be the champion not only for their soccer but also for their courage, their spirit and their desires to be champions.
Saturday, July 14, 2007
FIFA U-20 World Cup: Spain goes home
I just finished watching the quarter final match in which Czech Republic defeated Spain. It wasn't a great match but I guess it was worth watching. I said this because by watching the game today you could see in practice what an old say professes: soccer games are won with goals and not with desires to score goals. Spain dominated practically all game. They had the best chances (even missed an incredible one), but they did not score. Czech Republic got one chance and scored. After that, they score one more penalty kick than Spain and so, they won the game. That simple.
I remember talking to some Spain's fans some days ago. For them Spain was by far the best team in the world cup and it was a sure thing that Spain was winning the tournament. Of course, this is true for all soccer fans and their respecetive teams but what I disliked a little bit about Spain's fan was the way they said it: they weren't the best because they played the best soccer, but they were the best team because all the others were inferior. However, as it's almost always the case for Spain, they are usually the best in the paper (with the press helping them make the fans believe that they are actually the best), but when they have to demonstrate what they've talked about in the field, they simply fail. Too much pride? Too little modesty? I don't know but they should start thinking about talking less and playing a little bit more. Anyway, I have to admit Spain played a soccer nice to the view of the spectator but there are also other teams (Argentina, Chile, Mexico) that play beautifully and, contrary to Spain, win their games. After watching Spain defeats Brasil, I noticed something that today was crucial: Spain creates tons of chances to score but scores only a few (very few indeed). Contrary to what happened agaist Brasil were they deserved to won by far more than 4-2 (I have to say that Brasil had had one of the worst teams I've ever seen), Czechs did manage to keep the nill almost all the game and took advantage of the only chance they got in the whole game. I do agree with anyone who says that Spain was the only team to actually play today, because aside from the goal, the Czechs did almost nothing to win the match, but once again: in soccer the winner is the team that scores the most, not the one that almost score the most. Today, Spain learnt this the hard way.
One last thing to say. Spain was a team of contrasts. They have an excellent player: Diego Capel. Capel is a guy who makes soccer seem easy. He is fast, smart and flexible but he lacks something really important in soccer: he does not know how to score. But, in his defense I should say he is still a young player and I am sure he will become a soccer start very soon. But, as I said, Spain was a team of contrats; they also have a player who, in my humble opinion, is the wort player of the tournament: Gerad Pique. He is Capel's opposite: slow, lacks resources to play with the ball near his feet and does not know how to command his defense. Today more than ever Spain needed someone better than Pique on the field, someone able to carry the team on his back...in any case, this time Pique's way of feeling soccer prevailed and so, Spain has to go home (one more time) with empty hands.
I remember talking to some Spain's fans some days ago. For them Spain was by far the best team in the world cup and it was a sure thing that Spain was winning the tournament. Of course, this is true for all soccer fans and their respecetive teams but what I disliked a little bit about Spain's fan was the way they said it: they weren't the best because they played the best soccer, but they were the best team because all the others were inferior. However, as it's almost always the case for Spain, they are usually the best in the paper (with the press helping them make the fans believe that they are actually the best), but when they have to demonstrate what they've talked about in the field, they simply fail. Too much pride? Too little modesty? I don't know but they should start thinking about talking less and playing a little bit more. Anyway, I have to admit Spain played a soccer nice to the view of the spectator but there are also other teams (Argentina, Chile, Mexico) that play beautifully and, contrary to Spain, win their games. After watching Spain defeats Brasil, I noticed something that today was crucial: Spain creates tons of chances to score but scores only a few (very few indeed). Contrary to what happened agaist Brasil were they deserved to won by far more than 4-2 (I have to say that Brasil had had one of the worst teams I've ever seen), Czechs did manage to keep the nill almost all the game and took advantage of the only chance they got in the whole game. I do agree with anyone who says that Spain was the only team to actually play today, because aside from the goal, the Czechs did almost nothing to win the match, but once again: in soccer the winner is the team that scores the most, not the one that almost score the most. Today, Spain learnt this the hard way.
One last thing to say. Spain was a team of contrasts. They have an excellent player: Diego Capel. Capel is a guy who makes soccer seem easy. He is fast, smart and flexible but he lacks something really important in soccer: he does not know how to score. But, in his defense I should say he is still a young player and I am sure he will become a soccer start very soon. But, as I said, Spain was a team of contrats; they also have a player who, in my humble opinion, is the wort player of the tournament: Gerad Pique. He is Capel's opposite: slow, lacks resources to play with the ball near his feet and does not know how to command his defense. Today more than ever Spain needed someone better than Pique on the field, someone able to carry the team on his back...in any case, this time Pique's way of feeling soccer prevailed and so, Spain has to go home (one more time) with empty hands.
FIFA U-20 World Cup: Mi Experiencia como Voluntario
Servi como voluntario para el Mudial Sub-20 de Canada en Burnaby, sede que alojo a las selecciones de Espana, Zambia, Uruguay y Jordania y el partido de octavos de final entre Brasil y Espana El estadio, Swangard Stadium y que es la casa del equipo local de futbol, tiene capacidad permanente para no mas de 5000 espectadores y fue acondicionado (con gradas temporales del tipo `desmontable') para acoger otras 5000 personas. Como ustedes podran sospechar, el incremento en las gradas tambien debio traducirse en la ampliacion de otras instalaciones. Me llamo muchisimo la atencion que los banos 'temporales' fueran simples banos quimicos, instalados bajo las graderias temporales y bastante cerca de los stands de comida. Esto me llamo mucho la atencion, en especial al recordar las declaraciones de oficiales FIFA, hace unos meses atras, quienes cuestionaron la calidad de los estadios en Chile para albergar el Mundial Femenino de Futbol. En mi opinion, muchos de los estadios chilenos estan mucho mejor preparados que el Swangard Stadium para albergar un campeonato de la envergadura de un Mundial de Futbol. Sin embargo, es cierto que existe una enorme diferencia respecto a los hinchas aca y en Chile. Aquellos que fueron al estadio (mayoritariamente hinchas de las selecciones que jugaron) tuvieron una actidud ejemplar. Por ejemplo, aca se vendio cerveza sin que nadie se pasara de copas y, escudado en esto, atacara u ofendiera al hincha del equipo contrario. Es mas, era comun ver hinchas de ambos equipos sentados uno al lado del otro con un vaso de cerveza en la mano. Tambien, me llamo mucho la atencion el grado (extremo en algunos casos) de tolerancia de los hinchas: las politicas de la FIFA impedian el ingreso de cualquier alimento (frutas, golosinas, etc) y/o liquido (incluso agua de la llave). Aparte de las razones de seguridad, la mas utilizada para explicar al publico porque no se podia ingresar esos elementos era que esto iba en contra de los sponsors del mundial. Con 28 grados de calor a la sombra, suena bastante extremo impedir el ingreso de agua al estadio, especialmente cuando adentro la unica forma de conseguir agua era comprandola (y a un precio mucho mas alto que lo normal) o sacandola del bano (de los banos 'permanentes'). Sin embargo, la gente nunca se altero o increpo a la gente de seguridad o a nosotros (los voluntarios) por la medida. Todos ellos (salvo un par de personas) decian comprender la medida, aunque no la compartian, y ademas entendian que es la FIFA quien pone las reglas y no los voluntarios o la gente de seguridad (muchos de ellos debieron botar a la basura los alimentos/agua que traian antes de poder ingresar). Trataba de imaginar por un momento que pasaria si una regla como esta se aplicara en Chile (desconozco si en la actualidad reglas como estas aplican en todos los casos en Chile). La gente montaria en colera e increparian a quien estuviera en frente de ellos o bien, intetarian ingresar de una u otra forma, agua o alimentos. Y para que hablar de la venta de alcohol en el estadio. Quizas sea esto lo que permite a la FIFA la aplicacion de este grado de 'flexibilidad' en lo referente a infraestructura.
Sin embago, una de las cosas que me ha quedado mas clara es que el futbol no es ni sera (creo que por un largo tiempo) lo que es en Chile: un deporte de multitudes que se siente y vive con pasion.
Sin embago, una de las cosas que me ha quedado mas clara es que el futbol no es ni sera (creo que por un largo tiempo) lo que es en Chile: un deporte de multitudes que se siente y vive con pasion.
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