Great thread!
Being a dual national, Dutch and American, I was sad to see the Netherlands blow what should have been an easy win. (BTW, re Kluivert, the ref fell for it, he only deserved yellow, but he's an imbecile for taking that risk after waiting 4 years since the last WC, and I'm glad he's gone for the next game bc he was playing very poorly. He has an attitude problem!)
As avid fans will recall, the Netherlands were robbed of a possible championship in '94 when they lost, 3-2, to Brazil, after a flagrant hand ball right in front of the goal was not called (although a corner was!!?) and a Brazilian player threw a Dutch player on the ground in the closing minutes and the Brazilians were given a free kick, which they subsequently converted, beautifully I must admit, as Dutch players stood around in disbelief. That game represents the most flagrant example of one-sided officiating that I have ever seen. I will never forget it. What could one expect from a Costa Rican referee? Not fairness, to be sure, when their heroes are playing.
In any event, that was last time around. This time, many of the same problems remain as always: a tendency to self-destruct. Kluivert did, and Seedorf almost single-handedly ruined the Dutch attack. Watch him - he has no talent whatsoever for ball control, and, when he does manage to retain possession, hogs the ball, blowing all momentum. Bad luck is also dogging the team: Dennis Bergkamp, World Footballer of the Year a couple years back, and easily the most talented striker in Europe, is injured (left thigh). Today he was called upon and, even injured, showed how dangerous he is, nearly scoring twice.
To me, probably the greatest determining factor as to why the Netherlands will not win the Cup (although they deserve it more than anyone, after '74, '78 and '94) is their coaching - it is a scandal. Guus Hiddink's choice of starters today was just totally baffling. Wim Jonk should have started. He is one of the best long-ball goal scorers in all of world football. He has a devastating, blazing strike, but who does Hiddink start? Seedorf! Incredible! And he should not have waited until the 70th minute to insert Jonk, as he should have pulled both Seedorf and Kluivert in the first half. The real trouble in Holland is not a lack of coaching but an impossibly arrogant football federation that makes it well-nigh impossible for a coach to have real autonomy. That is why the legendary Johann Cruyff, former trainer of Barcelona and one of the sport's most talented all-time coaches (as well as nearly Pele's equal as a player - though he lacks those 3 WC's!), turned down the job. If the Dutch powers-that-be would just get out of the way, Cruyff, I believe, where he failed as a player, would succeed as coach and lead Holland to a richly deserved world title. Not hiring Cruyff is the most self-destructive thing the Netherlands could ever have done. They should have begged him to take the job!
In my opinion, Holland still has a chance with a healthy Bergkamp and with Jonk starting at midfield. Overmars is playing great, as well as Stam on defense. But they should have blown out this Belgian side. We'll see how they progress as a team.
Concerning others, I was not at all impressed by Brazil. That win was not deserved - again, a clear, intentional hand ball in the penalty area that was not called. Worst of all, however, is the fact that Scotland is not a strong side at all. The Brazil of '94 would have destroyed these Scots. I am certain Brazil will not win this World Cup. The loss of Romario is devastating. Not to mention that this team has only played together a few times. Look for them to drop out in the quarter-finals.
England without Gascoigne will be very lucky to make it past the first round. They will have to beat Colombia, for Romania is far too strong.
I was very impressed by France's convincing win over South Africa. With the home field advantage, they have a most definite shot, though it is a travesty that Cantona is not playing.
Spain will bounce back. They are too good not to do well here. Nigeria was just better on the day. That winning strike will no doubt go down as one of the most memorable of France '98.
Italy and Argentina are very strong and I believe both have great chances to win. Although I couldn't believe Italy - Chile - Chile played an amazing game, my hat's off to them.
My favorites are (in no particular order): Argentina, France, Italy and the Netherlands (if they don't self-destruct, have a healthy Bergkamp, Jonk starts, and Seedorf is permanently benched).
And now, for a prediction: the United States will beat Germany. Yes, that's right: the USA will WIN. The team has come together in a way no one had expected so soon, and this is their third World Cup in a row, after a 40-year drought. They recently thrashed a good Austrian side 3-0, and beat Brazil in an historic upset. (Forget that Brazil lacked some of their top players; in Brazil it was a national disgrace - they didn't just lay down for the Americans.) They are on the verge of becoming a serious factor in world football, though still a long way's off from top-tier status, but Germany is ripe for the picking. They have little respect for the American side and expect to win easily. They have internal discord: Lothar Mattheus vs. Juergen Klinsmann and everyone else. And they have all the pressure on their shoulders. If the Americans can hold them off for the first 20-25 minutes of the first half, the Germans will begin to feel an enormous amount of pressure - the kind of pressure that breeds mistakes. I believe that pressure will be a great equalizer, and, in conjunction with increasing American confidence, will lead to one of the great upsets in all of World Cup history. Remember 1950! My prediction: United States 2 - Germany 1. |
