The word ‘Such’(pronounciation) is reserved for cricket only especially if you happen to be an Indian. But I could dare use this word while not referring to cricket is because the things have changed in last 3 weeks or so. Since beginning of Football World cup I have seen unprecedented interest in the sport. By unprecedented, I really mean it for any non-cricket event.
Before the tournament began, I chose Argentina & Netherlands as ‘My’ teams. Being an Indian I had no choice but to look for other nations which I could support. I am happy & lucky to be able to be still supporting one of them. Despite being a dark horse, Netherlands has stormed into the finals! (no comparisons with ‘psychic’ Paul please J)
Argentina began the tournament in grand style, thrashing all their opponents in league matches. They had faced stiff qualifying but seemed to have kept it away. But as the fate would have it they lost the match against the agile Germans. Being the knockout stage they were thrown out of the tournament.
Netherlands also began the World Cup in style winning all their league matches. In fact they had won all their qualifying matches also. That makes it winning streak of 14 matches and being undefeated for 25 matches. That’s an incredible achievement in itself!
The only question that remains now is that whether can match the glory achieved by Brazil in 1970 by winning all their qualifying as well as finals matches. Only one team stands between them and the cup. However, that one team, Spain, happens to be in supreme form. They began the tournament on shaky note by losing their opening match. But they seem to have peaked at the right moment and are dominant contenders of the cup. As far as my support goes, I have been supporting the Dutch since the beginning and would want to stick to them only. The Sneijders and the Villas will have to put their best game on display, remaining unaffected by the thought of Golden Shoe. It should be cracker of a match. Can’t stop waiting for it to begin. And the rest, as they don’t say, will be known in 2 days!!
