To some, it's Joga Bonita, the beautiful game. To others, it's 22 men chasing a ball around a field. But whether you love it or love to hate it, everybody knows it. Football.
Once every 4 years, the world is thrown into chaos. People can't sleep at night. Productivity declines. Stock markets plummet. Fights break out. Security is at a maximum. Patriotism flares. National flags are flown on every street corner, draped from every window. Blood, sweat and tears are shed freely without limit. Prayers are offered for the success of the men on the frontlines. No, it's not a war. It's the FIFA World Cup.
The 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany concluded on 9 July, after a month of people turning nocturnal and mamak shops, big screen TV manufacturers, telecommunications and satellite TV companies making loads of money. It was eventful, to say the least. I confess I didn't watch many matches as I like sleeping more than football, but the newspapers kept me well updated. My conclusion is that while the game itself may be beautiful, every other aspect is anything but.
Injury was common. There were fouls aplenty, and numerous cards were awarded, some to the tournament's most high-profile players, fairly or otherwise. There was much animosity on and off the pitch, so much so that for once the fans were better behaved than the players. The media levelled harsh criticism at coaches, players and even their wives and girlfriends (WAGs). And the world found out what happens when "kings of football" fall from grace. Truly, I was more shocked by the violent reaction of the Brazilian fans than by Brazil's actual loss. France faced the same scenario in 2002. I guess it's the curse that comes with winning that golden cup; everyone expects the winners to do equally well the next time around. Well, with Italy hoisting the Cup this year, we'll just have to wait and see how they perform in 4 years' time.
With all the negativity that came with this year's tournament, I couldn't help but wonder if the game deserves the popularity it enjoys worldwide. But then I figured, anything that can make people disregard age, ethnicity, religion, language and culture, and unite to laugh, cry, hope, pray and cheer together as one voice for what they believe in and what they love, has to be a good thing. So here's to the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa.
Once every 4 years, the world is thrown into chaos. People can't sleep at night. Productivity declines. Stock markets plummet. Fights break out. Security is at a maximum. Patriotism flares. National flags are flown on every street corner, draped from every window. Blood, sweat and tears are shed freely without limit. Prayers are offered for the success of the men on the frontlines. No, it's not a war. It's the FIFA World Cup.
The 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany concluded on 9 July, after a month of people turning nocturnal and mamak shops, big screen TV manufacturers, telecommunications and satellite TV companies making loads of money. It was eventful, to say the least. I confess I didn't watch many matches as I like sleeping more than football, but the newspapers kept me well updated. My conclusion is that while the game itself may be beautiful, every other aspect is anything but.
Injury was common. There were fouls aplenty, and numerous cards were awarded, some to the tournament's most high-profile players, fairly or otherwise. There was much animosity on and off the pitch, so much so that for once the fans were better behaved than the players. The media levelled harsh criticism at coaches, players and even their wives and girlfriends (WAGs). And the world found out what happens when "kings of football" fall from grace. Truly, I was more shocked by the violent reaction of the Brazilian fans than by Brazil's actual loss. France faced the same scenario in 2002. I guess it's the curse that comes with winning that golden cup; everyone expects the winners to do equally well the next time around. Well, with Italy hoisting the Cup this year, we'll just have to wait and see how they perform in 4 years' time.
With all the negativity that came with this year's tournament, I couldn't help but wonder if the game deserves the popularity it enjoys worldwide. But then I figured, anything that can make people disregard age, ethnicity, religion, language and culture, and unite to laugh, cry, hope, pray and cheer together as one voice for what they believe in and what they love, has to be a good thing. So here's to the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa.
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