Lessons from football...
Yesterday I saw both the quarter final matches. In the first one Brazil vs Netherlands, where Brazil one of the favorites was knocked out of the competition. In the second, Ghana, Africa's hope, was eliminated by Uruguay in a match that ended in penalties. While both teams lost, they did so in very different ways.
In the Brazil vs Netherlands match, Brazil faced with three challenges, their first goal was disallowed, for the first time in the competition they were a goal down and last but not least one of their defenders was sent off, red carded.
Having outplayed the Dutch in the first half, and scoring a goal in the tenth minute, by Robinho, it seemed as though the Dutch were going the way of rest of Brazils contenders. The Dutch equalizer came from a header by Melo, an own goal from a Dutch corner, injecting confidence and giving hope to the Dutch team. A second goal, headed in by Sneijder of a corner to put the Dutch ahead, proving that the Brazilians could be beaten. A few minutes later, Melo was sent off for stomping Robben reducing Brazil to ten men. This incident epitomized the state of the Brazilian team. The second goal completely shook the the team and they became desperate. Fouls were common and the efforts from the World Cup favorites were dismal as attempt after attempt was fended off by the Dutch. The abilities that had made the Brazilians one of the best teams to watch had disappeared and what we saw was a desperate attempt of a team trying to save face and they failed dismally, almost conceding even more goals, opportunities which the Dutch failed to take advantage of.
In the second game, the Ghana was unfortunate. Ghana was put ahead off an excellent strike by Mutari just before half time. Later Uruguay equalized of a superb free kick from Forlan. The Ghanaians took control of the match and relentlessly pursued a winning goal, while warding off numerous attacks from Uruguay. In the dying seconds of the game, and a deliberate handball by Saurez, which earned him a red card and a penalty for Ghana. Unfortunately for Gyan, who took the penalty under pressure, the ball hit the cross bar forcing the match into extra time and finally to a penalty shootout. Two saves from the Uruguayan goal keeper Muslera, secured Uruguay's place in the semi-finals.
Two matches ending in defeat for two sides, but how different the defeats. The first an exercise in desperation and complete loss of confidence which gave the distinct impression of a team that was defeated and did not do there best. The second, a loss with dignity, knowing that the team gave its best. About the penalties that were missed, individuals who could not stand on their own and proving that a teams is greater than the sum of its parts.
Ghana, you have done your best and you have proven to the world that Africa can become a formidable force in soccer. Thank you for your effort, I salute you :-)
In the Brazil vs Netherlands match, Brazil faced with three challenges, their first goal was disallowed, for the first time in the competition they were a goal down and last but not least one of their defenders was sent off, red carded.
Having outplayed the Dutch in the first half, and scoring a goal in the tenth minute, by Robinho, it seemed as though the Dutch were going the way of rest of Brazils contenders. The Dutch equalizer came from a header by Melo, an own goal from a Dutch corner, injecting confidence and giving hope to the Dutch team. A second goal, headed in by Sneijder of a corner to put the Dutch ahead, proving that the Brazilians could be beaten. A few minutes later, Melo was sent off for stomping Robben reducing Brazil to ten men. This incident epitomized the state of the Brazilian team. The second goal completely shook the the team and they became desperate. Fouls were common and the efforts from the World Cup favorites were dismal as attempt after attempt was fended off by the Dutch. The abilities that had made the Brazilians one of the best teams to watch had disappeared and what we saw was a desperate attempt of a team trying to save face and they failed dismally, almost conceding even more goals, opportunities which the Dutch failed to take advantage of.
In the second game, the Ghana was unfortunate. Ghana was put ahead off an excellent strike by Mutari just before half time. Later Uruguay equalized of a superb free kick from Forlan. The Ghanaians took control of the match and relentlessly pursued a winning goal, while warding off numerous attacks from Uruguay. In the dying seconds of the game, and a deliberate handball by Saurez, which earned him a red card and a penalty for Ghana. Unfortunately for Gyan, who took the penalty under pressure, the ball hit the cross bar forcing the match into extra time and finally to a penalty shootout. Two saves from the Uruguayan goal keeper Muslera, secured Uruguay's place in the semi-finals.
Two matches ending in defeat for two sides, but how different the defeats. The first an exercise in desperation and complete loss of confidence which gave the distinct impression of a team that was defeated and did not do there best. The second, a loss with dignity, knowing that the team gave its best. About the penalties that were missed, individuals who could not stand on their own and proving that a teams is greater than the sum of its parts.
Ghana, you have done your best and you have proven to the world that Africa can become a formidable force in soccer. Thank you for your effort, I salute you :-)
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