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A DAY OF DESTINY IN WORLD CUP FINALS
On Sunday, the day of destiny that football aficionados
in Spain and the Netherlands have waited for arrives as one of their sides
will be crowned World Cup champions.
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The Netherlands' head coach Bert van Marwijk
Photo REUTERS
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Though each country has had more than its share of triumphant
play and chapters of excellence in the "beautiful game", the final prize
has evaded their clutches. After decades of frustration, Johannesburg
will be the setting for one country to finally push aside failings of
the past and claim their rightful place as the best in the world.
For the Dutch, the country that provided the sport the grandest of lessons
with Johan Cruyff leading the Totaalvoetbal revolution in the 1970's,
their play has been a departure from the hallowed grounds of the Clockwork
Orange but nonetheless, inspiring. Arjen Robben, apparently revitalized
with his move to Bayern Munchen, is playing with the boldest of bold steps.
Plagued with injury problems in the past, he has rewarded manager's Bert
van Marwijk selection, despite a late hamstring concern and been a constant
menace to the opposition.
Along with Liverpool's Dirk Kuyt and the impossible not-to mention wonder-strike
of soon to be retired Giovanni van Bronckhorst against Uruguay, the Oranje
have shown well disciplined, balanced team play. Unquestionably, Wesley
Sneijder has been the wheel in the attack, taking control of the Dutch
future in their upset of the Selecao and likely the focus of the Spaniards
defending.
The twenty-six year-old playmaker has punished the opposition with while
much of the La Furia Roja acclaim is directed to their sublime passing
game, holding midfielder' Xabi Alonso and Sergio Busquets will play an
integral part in their effort to stand atop the victors podium. Vicente
del Bosque's classical tactical plan of dictating the
opposition's play with defending stance, with its imposing holding midfield
has often went unnoticed in the much of the media but the crux of their
success. Spain completely shut down the German's, who had previously humiliated
Argentina and England, leaving the impression they are gelling in the
final stages of tournament.
Though Spain had sauntered through the early stages of the World Cup,
including their opening loss to Switzerland, against Die Nationalmannschaft
they woke from their slumber with a highly professional and comprehensive
victory. Echoing their victory over Joachim Low's side in the final of
the Euro 2008, Spain has the daunting steely-eyed look of champion, ready
to rise to the occasion but suitably, waiting for the time to pounce.
The heavily weighted Barcelona influence underlines the overall team play
and familiarity, though it is impossible not to highlight the flourishing
runs Andres Iniesta and predatory instincts of striker David Villa. While
the Spaniard's margin of victory has been modest, their extraordinary
patience in controlling the run of the play serves notice of their bold
confidence.
Ultimately, the efficiency to impart their tactical plan, experience under
fire and boldness will decide which country celebrates the lifting of
the hardware. Leading up to the contest, each side has been respectful
for their opposition as well as the understanding of their team cohesiveness,
an interesting aspect in a World Cup dominated by "individual's" who teams
disappeared early. This World Cup, amongst its many great stories and
the ever-present celebration of fans across the globe has reaffirmed the
continuity of team play, selflessness and adherence to tactical initiative.
Though many have pointed out the positively lethargic play of some of
the "biggest names" in the sport today, the commonality of each was under
the glaring lights, long after quaint commercial and marketing initiatives,
they underperformed when playing strictly for the pride of their country.
Though excuses are plentiful, the World Cup is the highest form of the
game, of honour and pride and with that, chiselled into granite is that
the "beautiful game" is a team game. In what will surely be a fight to
the final gasp of time where not a single blade of grass will be left
unchallenged, who plays as a synchronized and well-disciplined unit will
achieve their ultimate goal and forever be legends in their homeland.
Prepared by John Davies for Sport Express
Sport
Express Daily, 10 July 2010
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