When the draw of this year’s world cup was released last
year, pictures of teams which would make it to the proceeding stages formed on people’s
minds. There was that belief that this
team will make it to this stage and the other will prove nothing less than an
early exit. However, this season’s competition has just shown how the underdogs
can turn to be favorites even for a second. Former England captain Terry Butcher
once said ‘the beauty of cup football is that Jack always has a chance of
beating Goliath.’ The 20th FIFA World Cup currently ongoing in
Brazil is nothing short of prove of Terry’s words.
Let us look at some of the things we can learn from the nightmares
experienced in the Spanish team, the glittering stars of the underdogs and
potential winners.
Spanish team Packing!
Xabi Alonso’s goal from the spot seemed to have given the
Spaniards hope of triumph but when Robin Van Persie scored with a flying header
to level for the Dutch, things changed but there was no doubt that the reigning
World champions could come back and win the game in the next half. In fact they
were the better side in the first half. In the second face of the encounter,
scary runs from Ajen Robern took the Spanish fans into moments of silence, two
goals to one and I still held on that these are the world champions, they can still
come back. And then there came, three goals to one, oh my! There needed a
miracle, maybe a draw would be possible unless they strike a late winner. The
fourth and fifth goal only sealed the Dutch victory and nothing could come out
of my mouth. It was total humiliation, record-breaking, torture, disaster as
the world champions suffered a 5-1 mauling by their last year’s runners-up. Ok,
maybe they can pick themselves up in the remaining fixtures and proceed to even
win it as they did in 2010 after losing to Switzerland in their opening game.
There came the Chile test last night, Del Bosque with a
different squad opting to rest midfield dictator Xavi Hernandez and Gerard
Pique giving way for Pedro Rodriguez and Javier Martinez. This too never scared
the Chileans led by Barcelona striker Alexis Sanchez and Juventus midfielder
Arturo Vidal. The first goal came and later the second, with the defense
looking completely confused and disorganized, unable to stop the goals. Zero
points in two matches and the worse of it all, their lone goal in the tournament
came from a disputable penalty-kick against the Dutch. Is this the end of an
error that has been successful for a period of more than five years? Believe it
or not, the Spaniards are out of the competition but will have to play
Australia before jetting out to complete their group fixtures. Nothing can be
done now, time to plan for the future.
The underdogs
Each competition comes with its underdogs and this season’s
world cup is nothing to go by. From Costa Rica, Ecuador, Honduras, Iran,
Algeria, South Korea among others. However, so far teams like Iran, Costa Rica,
Algeria and South Korea have at least have proven that they are worth this
category and should be lifted up the ladder. Iran surprised many after pulling
a draw against favorites Nigeria, South Korea too drew with Russia, Algeria
gave Belgium a hard fight for their victory while Costa Rica surprised many by
defeating Uruguay by three goals to one.
Although this only comes at early stages of the competition,
I fancy more yet to come but not to forget that this season’s victors may also
be from an unexpected team. All games are important and kind of laxity and
on-paper advantage may not apply anymore. Chile although are a great team, they
were undoubtedly group B’s underdogs alongside Australia. But Chile proved to
the whole World what they are capable of by seeing off the World Champions on a
2-0 win! Wait for more surprises in this year’s World Cup they are near just
around the corner.
Potential winners
Judging from the matches played so far, there are teams
which have shown strength and agility enough to be crowned champions, expect Netherlands, Argentina, Germany and Italy have done what people expected from
them. Belgium and Chile are also among those expected to spark major shocks as
well as hosts Brazil who still have more to prove from their fans after the
Mexico draw.
As we bid farewell to one of the favorites in the tournament,
expect more of them to match out but only few will survive.
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