The World At Their Feet - 2014
Passion
My passion for soccer was stoked at a time I thought the planets aligned themselves. I went to a soccer-crazy school and started playing soccer. The school teams of all A, B and C divisions were often in the district or national finals. That made it more exciting.
Even when we had little time and space, different groups of people gathered at the basketball court and played with a plastic ball. From afar, you could just see many people running around a packed court. It was amazing to even figure out how we did play as there must have been at least ten teams there. As a result, those who trained there had good skills and great instincts. That was how often in the past great players developed their skills especially Latin players by playing in the streets, etc.
That was also the time where the English League was the old First Division and you get to watch only highlights of the previous week's matches in an one hour programme called Star Soccer on Sunday. It was also the time when I began to take an interest in the Malaysia Cup and our Singapore national soccer team who in later years used to train at our school fields at times. Whatever little I could save went into the purchase of soccer magazines especially "Shoot"from the UK. I still kept them in pristine condition till today.
Colour TV
We were once happy just to have a television as others normally gathered at community centres to watch a programme or the news. Those were days where we were thought to have dogs' views because the television programmes were in black and white just like what old theories they had of dogs being able to see only in black and white. Then colour television was introduced. Most of the popular and famous brands like Sierra, Graetz and Setron are no more.
Year 1974
And it all happened. Raw passion for soccer. Playing it, fondly and ardently reading about it, following English League soccer on Star Soccer on TV, watching the Singapore team trained and played, the Malaysia Cup, the Kallang Roar, colour TV and yes - the World Cup! It was World Cup year and just before the tournament commenced they released a programme on TV that featured "The World At Their Feet" featuring highlights of the 1970 World Cup in Mexico. I have heard of the legends of the 1966 World Cup which England won - Gordon Banks, Bobby Moore, Bobby Charlton, Geoff Hurst, etc. England was the world's best team then.
I watched the exploits of Brazil with Pele and company in the 1970 tourney, the world's best ever save by Gordon Banks from Pele's header and it further ignited the passion. When Jairzinho got to the right flank to cross Banks was moving to his left goalpost. Pele rose high and nodded a powerful header that hit the ground and the ball was goal bound. Even Pele raised his hand for goal when Banks somehow miraculously twisted himself in change of direction and impossibly flew across and made that mother of all saves.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OKwKHu7cI6o (70 WC)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ngE9RCAdWaE (Bank's save)
The World Cup (1974)
It was the first time receiving and following the World Cup in 1974 held in the then "West" Germany. The game was played differently at the international level and the spectators were a kaleidoscope with a riot of colours and musical instruments. Even every player's name sounded exotic. Sepp Maier, Franz Beckanbauer, Georg Schwarzenbeck, Uli Hoeness, Paul Breitner, Berti Vogts, Wolfgang Grabowski, Wolfgang Overath, Gerd Muller, Johan Cruyff, Johan Neeskens, Arie Haan, Willem van Hanegem, Willy van der Kherkhof, Ruud Krol, Robbie Rensenbrink, Jan Jongbloed, Johnny Rep, Wim Rijsbergen, Jan Tomazewski, Kazimierz Deyna, Grzegorz Lato, Dino Zoff, Giacinto Facchetti, Fabio Capello, Giorgio Chinaglia, Leao, Jairzinho, Rivelino, Edu, Dirceu, etc. Tongue twisters for commentators.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?gl=SG&hl=en-GB&v=caK-Hu2Pc4Q
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OmSBuQ-T12Q (Highlights)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mKRtuXGBuco (Highlights)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aYTRvZolhuA (Final)
Why The World Cup Is Special
The truth be told. Players train and play week in and week out at their clubs. Their team spirit, understanding and telepathy are naturally better when compared to an international side who meet to train and then play at tournament once in awhile.
Messi and Ronaldo amassed so many goals at their clubs and consistently delivered soccer of the highest quality throughout an entire season. If that is not consistency then what? Do they have to win the World Cup with their country to be considered the world's best players? Some folks feel that they have to do that. I do not agree. Folks who say that including Pele or Maradona and whoever are just fearful that their records or title could be overtaken perhaps.
To win the World Cup you need to win two qualifying rounds, the quarter-final, semi-final and then the final. I am not saying it is easy as the strength and quality of teams are of the highest level but is is a short one month tournament and you hope to have a golden generation of players that can be moulded into a team and could peak for the one month duration. This is easier than a long and arduous season but having the disadvantage of not having enough time to gel as a team.
However, you will often be playing in a different continent with different altitude, temperature and humidity which will affect your game even if you go in earlier to acclimatise unless you are in your own continent. The most interesting things about the World Cup are the culture and style of play from each country and how globally it would amazingly affect birthrates. Do we celebrate anyone's birthday in June? If you do, their parents are not soccer fans.
Discovery
In every World Cup, you will eventually have a top scorer, the tournament's best player, a World XI named at the end of each tournament. You know who are the players that could shine. Some big names may have a bad tournament and some new names may emerge as stars.
In 1966, England won with a great defence led by Bobby Moore. Brazil won in 1970 with a flowing attacking style. In 1974, Holland or the Netherlands was the best team and brought us Rinus Michel's "Total Football" concept even as they eventually lost to the Beckanbauer-led West Germany who showed great resilience and capability. In 1982, Brazil have probably the best team that never won the World Cup. Such was the magic of their players like Zico, Socrates, Eder, Falcao, Junior, etc. showcasing the Samba. In 1986, we had Argentina's Tango Daniel Passarella and when Maradona announced to the world his arrival at 25 years old. He also gave the world the Hand of God moment:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ccNkksrfls (Maradona)
And then the best ever goal in the World Cup ever, maybe forever:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KY40__rBvSk (Maradona)
Balladeer Zinedine Zidane led the aristocrats from France to theirs in 1998:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZXc78jcdrg
Finally, Spain won for the first time in 2010 and are the Defending Champions. They gave us Tiki-Taka.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LzKKcY0sUaE
In 2014, will we discover a new type of attacking soccer? A new great talent that we do not already know? Another superlative out of this world wonder goal?
What I Do Not Like About The World Cup
Television coverage used to be free to air. Now you have to pay exorbitant charges for each type of soccer separately. English Premier League, F.A. Cup, Champions League, World Cup. One alternative is to quit watching. Do not subscribe. They know our weaknesses. Even for those who are getting it free, it means you would have been arm-twisted to sign up a two year contract. There is obviously a lack of competition. Merciless. Something is very wrong here.
Soccer is the most popular sport in the world including here in Singapore. Our grand new state of the art national stadium is opening soon at Kallang. With the World Cup just around the corner, it was a good opportunity to promote soccer by spreading soccer fever to the masses. Some soccer matches will be held there and by August the EPL would be back. We just need to have a successful national soccer team to bring back the Kallang Roar. Nobody, none thought of doing more to revive interest.
Finally, the World Cup is held once every four years. This is my ninth World Cup since 1974. Every World Cup, I got older by another four years. It is frightening. I wish that all soccer fans out there will continue to have many more good years of soccer and the World Cup.
I watched the exploits of Brazil with Pele and company in the 1970 tourney, the world's best ever save by Gordon Banks from Pele's header and it further ignited the passion. When Jairzinho got to the right flank to cross Banks was moving to his left goalpost. Pele rose high and nodded a powerful header that hit the ground and the ball was goal bound. Even Pele raised his hand for goal when Banks somehow miraculously twisted himself in change of direction and impossibly flew across and made that mother of all saves.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OKwKHu7cI6o (70 WC)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ngE9RCAdWaE (Bank's save)
The World Cup (1974)
It was the first time receiving and following the World Cup in 1974 held in the then "West" Germany. The game was played differently at the international level and the spectators were a kaleidoscope with a riot of colours and musical instruments. Even every player's name sounded exotic. Sepp Maier, Franz Beckanbauer, Georg Schwarzenbeck, Uli Hoeness, Paul Breitner, Berti Vogts, Wolfgang Grabowski, Wolfgang Overath, Gerd Muller, Johan Cruyff, Johan Neeskens, Arie Haan, Willem van Hanegem, Willy van der Kherkhof, Ruud Krol, Robbie Rensenbrink, Jan Jongbloed, Johnny Rep, Wim Rijsbergen, Jan Tomazewski, Kazimierz Deyna, Grzegorz Lato, Dino Zoff, Giacinto Facchetti, Fabio Capello, Giorgio Chinaglia, Leao, Jairzinho, Rivelino, Edu, Dirceu, etc. Tongue twisters for commentators.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?gl=SG&hl=en-GB&v=caK-Hu2Pc4Q
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OmSBuQ-T12Q (Highlights)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mKRtuXGBuco (Highlights)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aYTRvZolhuA (Final)
Why The World Cup Is Special
The truth be told. Players train and play week in and week out at their clubs. Their team spirit, understanding and telepathy are naturally better when compared to an international side who meet to train and then play at tournament once in awhile.
Messi and Ronaldo amassed so many goals at their clubs and consistently delivered soccer of the highest quality throughout an entire season. If that is not consistency then what? Do they have to win the World Cup with their country to be considered the world's best players? Some folks feel that they have to do that. I do not agree. Folks who say that including Pele or Maradona and whoever are just fearful that their records or title could be overtaken perhaps.
To win the World Cup you need to win two qualifying rounds, the quarter-final, semi-final and then the final. I am not saying it is easy as the strength and quality of teams are of the highest level but is is a short one month tournament and you hope to have a golden generation of players that can be moulded into a team and could peak for the one month duration. This is easier than a long and arduous season but having the disadvantage of not having enough time to gel as a team.
However, you will often be playing in a different continent with different altitude, temperature and humidity which will affect your game even if you go in earlier to acclimatise unless you are in your own continent. The most interesting things about the World Cup are the culture and style of play from each country and how globally it would amazingly affect birthrates. Do we celebrate anyone's birthday in June? If you do, their parents are not soccer fans.
Discovery
In every World Cup, you will eventually have a top scorer, the tournament's best player, a World XI named at the end of each tournament. You know who are the players that could shine. Some big names may have a bad tournament and some new names may emerge as stars.
In 1966, England won with a great defence led by Bobby Moore. Brazil won in 1970 with a flowing attacking style. In 1974, Holland or the Netherlands was the best team and brought us Rinus Michel's "Total Football" concept even as they eventually lost to the Beckanbauer-led West Germany who showed great resilience and capability. In 1982, Brazil have probably the best team that never won the World Cup. Such was the magic of their players like Zico, Socrates, Eder, Falcao, Junior, etc. showcasing the Samba. In 1986, we had Argentina's Tango Daniel Passarella and when Maradona announced to the world his arrival at 25 years old. He also gave the world the Hand of God moment:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ccNkksrfls (Maradona)
And then the best ever goal in the World Cup ever, maybe forever:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KY40__rBvSk (Maradona)
Balladeer Zinedine Zidane led the aristocrats from France to theirs in 1998:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZXc78jcdrg
Finally, Spain won for the first time in 2010 and are the Defending Champions. They gave us Tiki-Taka.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LzKKcY0sUaE
In 2014, will we discover a new type of attacking soccer? A new great talent that we do not already know? Another superlative out of this world wonder goal?
What I Do Not Like About The World Cup
Television coverage used to be free to air. Now you have to pay exorbitant charges for each type of soccer separately. English Premier League, F.A. Cup, Champions League, World Cup. One alternative is to quit watching. Do not subscribe. They know our weaknesses. Even for those who are getting it free, it means you would have been arm-twisted to sign up a two year contract. There is obviously a lack of competition. Merciless. Something is very wrong here.
Soccer is the most popular sport in the world including here in Singapore. Our grand new state of the art national stadium is opening soon at Kallang. With the World Cup just around the corner, it was a good opportunity to promote soccer by spreading soccer fever to the masses. Some soccer matches will be held there and by August the EPL would be back. We just need to have a successful national soccer team to bring back the Kallang Roar. Nobody, none thought of doing more to revive interest.
Finally, the World Cup is held once every four years. This is my ninth World Cup since 1974. Every World Cup, I got older by another four years. It is frightening. I wish that all soccer fans out there will continue to have many more good years of soccer and the World Cup.
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