I am not a very avid soccer fan; actually, I’m not an ardent fan of the sport, not at all. I have tried to grasp the difference between Champions League, La Liga and all those other soccer leagues out there, but I’d rather prick my tongue than be taken through the differences of these leagues, the coaches, the players et al. You might wonder how I chip in to conversations about soccer; I don’t. If I did, I would expose my lack of knowledge of the “in” team, the latest player purchase, the hottest man on the pitch, who was caught out with their coach’s girlfriend and which team is facing bankruptcy. It might excite you, but it doesn’t do the same for me.
The World Cup, now that’s different! For starters, with the fact that it takes four years to happen, I have “breathing space”; within those four years between successive World Cups, I have time to take a breather from the hoo-ha surrounding soccer, so I’m more than ready to be soccer-manic for one month only, and wait another 48 months for the next season! Besides, I do not have to keep up with how many swaps Ronaldo or Ronaldinho have been through (as I would if it were the leagues that interested me); I only need to know their nationality and then support the relevant team. That works so much better for my memory!
I’m enjoying World Cup 2010. Some matches are electric and intriguing, much as I am yet to fully grasp various soccer concepts. Take for instance the whole “off-side” rule; you know it better than I do. I thought the cute Mexican player who’d scored in the opening match deserved a hug; he’d scored and suddenly was duly informed that he was offside and the goal was recalled. Oh boy. I didn’t see it that way! I was already ululating at the goal, and at the moment the goal was recalled, I needed sub-titles explaining why the Mexican player was offside. I hear it’s a new rule for this situation, so I’m allowed not to have known it existed. Or am I off?
I also hear Didier Drogba has mastered the art of falling without getting hurt and ensuring these antics favor his team. Of course, all teams have perfected this art (note to Hollywood: a drama academy for soccer players is a brilliant idea) but I understand from more nutty enthusiasts that DD is the man to reckon with on these staged antics. Unfortunately I have not had a chance to watch CIV playing, so I missed out on his moves. And now that it looks like they might not proceed beyond the first round of matches, guess I'll catch his advanced antics in 2014!
A team that's not ceased to amaze me is the US one. I wonder, did you think they would get past the group stage matches? I didn’t. I thought they would have needed Jack Bauer on their team for them to score in at least ONE of their matches, but clearly Jack’s got nothing on them and they've proved me wrong! Goal recalls have been to their disadvantage, as they'd be bragging more goals than those they have now. What was with those goal recalls anyway!? Well, good playing Obama’s Boys! Random note to Honduras: keep on with tourism and to tending your attractive islands as soccer is not your thing, quite clearly! Ghana, you remain our only hope for representation as a continent. I’m totally rooting for you and waiting for more of Gyan’s celebratory boogie; you will give us reason to celebrate, no? Here's to smoking pots and great play from you guys!
Brazil and Portu-goal are my favorite teams. If those Brazilian men can dance samba as bad as they play, then they must be b.a.d! Their goals are shot with such precision, there’s no doubt that these men are good on their feet. Google Maicon’s goal if you missed it. That’s sheer skill right there. As for the Portuguese, I love their play, totally. What prowess, cuteness and appeal! Thrashing the North Korean team seven goals to nil is numbing. Ronaldo’s goal was particularly enthralling to watch, what with how buff and strong he looked, and how his thigh muscles rippled as he scored, plus the killer smile he flashed afterwards (I’d advise that you Google the goal and watch it in slow motion). How he scored makes for a memorable goal, in my opinion. Now that my two fave teams are pitted against each other, I wonder who will win tonight's match? Well either way, those are 22 luscious men playing for a whole 90 minutes, so it mightn't matter much (yet) :-)
Yay to World Cup!
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