NEW ZEALAND 1 SLOVAKIA 1
PORTUGAL 0 IVORY COAST 0
BRAZIL 2 N KOREA 1
Check Your Head Ned
Compare the pair:
Obviously bitter about the manner of Maicon's wonder strike , Ned Zelic set about his post match summary by bemoaning Brazil's lack of panache and jogo bonito and basically why they didn't win 8-0.
As the more sensible pundits around him (Charlie Dempsey and Francis Awaratife) tried to cajole him into thinking that it was a marathon and not a sprint, Zelic, true to form, was unrepentant. Ned, mate, even you with your bank of self-validated opinion must realise that the mythology of Brazilian flair has always been anchored by some form of defence. It is the millstone around Dunga's neck, as Francis pointed out.
Dunga is a smart man. He will not please anybody by playing 4 attacking midfielders and throwing caution to the wind. The ghosts of 1982, 1986 and 1990, whilst romantic memories they are, sit like acid in the stomach. Dunga has decided that if he is going to be pilloried anyway, at least win the cup to shut them up. Those who still lament can shove it.
The historical analysis shows that teams in the romanticised era played against mostly attacking units that were easily cracked open. When teams park 2 5-seater buses in front of you it is inherently harder to play the flowing game. The fab four approach, playing Robinho-Ronaldinho-Adriano-Kaka does not work when you have no space and 2 defenders to every player when he receives the ball. And when the first 3 think that tracking back is beneath them you have a recipe for disaster.
Dunga's steel in midfield was the reason that Brazil broke the 24 year drought in 94. SHort memories still exist however.
By the way Ned, Maicon's goal was not "surely a cross" as surely yours was not? And drop the sour arsed face, it gives you wrinkles, even after 4 days of carefully prepared facial hair. You can provide informed comment with a smile and still look credible.
GP
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