World Cup 2014 - The Final

A throwback to the the programme "The World At Their Feet"of the 1970 World Cup screened in 1974 caught my imagination. The "Total Football" of Rinus Michels and "The Flying Dutchmen'' gave us inspiration but in that final in 74, the Germans won. The Netherlands got an early penalty and many believed they would have won with their flowing football and the early lead. Cruyff left Berti Vogts for dead and Neeskens converted the penalty that had Sepp Maier beaten and led within two minutes. 

In the 25th minute, English referee Jack Taylor awarded another penalty this time to Beckanbauer-led Germany and Paul Breitner scored against Jan Jongbloed. Two minutes before half-time, Gerd Muller scored the winner. From that day onwards I have watched German soccer not only at the World Cup but also "Soccer Made In Germany" and found the commentator Toby Charles very familiar as he used to give commentary on "Telematch".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zOTchs7zDGI#t=22

The Final Countdown

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9jK-NcRmVcw

There is no World Cup where the Germans are not fancied but there were times they played very methodical and boring soccer with plenty of square passes. Klinsmann changed that and now Joachim Loew has built them into an even better team.

They are the best World Cup nation in terms of consistency. They are the best team for some years now and it is of no surprise that they are in this final and are firm favourites. First, the credentials of both Argentina and Germany. Germany made 18 appearances winning three titles, four runners-up and four third places. They are playing their eighth World Cup final, more than any other team. In their last four finals they won just once. 

Argentina made 16 appearances winning two titles and two runners-up. They are making their fifth World Cup final appearance. They have won two out of four finals. So far, the Germans had 64 attempts on target and yielded 17 goals while Argentina hit the target 61 times and scored 8 times. Argentina kept 4, the highest clean sheet in this World Cup, Germany are second on 3. 

It is the 10th time a South American team and an European team are meeting in a final where the South American have won seven times. No European team has ever won the title outside their continent. Out of 20 games with Germany, Argentina have won 9 the last where they won 3-1 in 2012 and have yet to trail a match in this edition. Messi has been the most creative player so far setting up 21 goal-scoring chances - the highest in the tournament (Mezut Ozil has 15). He also achieved a tournament-high 65 dribbles and completed 39 of them. Javier Mascherano made 509 passes and 28 tackles both the highest in the competition. Manuel Neuer made 23 saves, four less than Tim Howard (the highest). 

Germany restructured their soccer set up after a dire Euro 2000. For all the great soccer they have been playing they haven't won a title. They are ruthless and play like a very efficient machine. Their strength are that they have a deep squad with many options to choose from. They have scorers from defence, midfield to attack. Their greatest ability is in their final third. They are without any mega-star and their mightiest forte is that they are a team and play as one. They will be very tough for Argentina to overcome. Germany must have a solid game plan to stop Messi. If they play an open game, Messi could hurt them.

Argentina have been playing in a very compact manner and not easy to break down. Javier Mascherano will play a very important role and must bring his commanding quality into the match just like he did against Holland. Angel di Maria would add a greater dimension if he were fit as he made the most crosses in this World Cup and could cause the German problems. Higuan will have to raise his game like when he scored against Belgium and if Sergio Aguero is fit and fielded, it will add fire power to Argentina's attack so that Messi can have more space and a freer role. For Messi, this could be his defining moment in the World Cup. A moment of magic could turn things around and he will be among the legends of World Cup folklore like his predecessors Pele and Maradona. Not that he is not already the world's best player. Cruyff was a legend without winning the World Cup. The Germans play a high defensive line and have depended on Neuer to save them on some occasions. Algeria frustrated them and Ghana also showed how to score against them. This could be their weak link.

The World Cup predicting camel has picked Argentina to win. 

http://gulfnews.com/sport/football/brazil-2014/interactives/shaheen-the-camel-s-world-cup-prediction-of-the-day-1.1345963

Many people are all snapping up German jerseys and picking the Germans to win because they saw how the Germans ate Brazil and spat out the bones. We have to remember that every match is a different game. I like the Germans to win for selecting to play positively for I have always love teams that play attractive and attacking soccer. I like Argentina to win for the likes of Lionel Messi. Best team versus best player, the best team should win. Will Germany be the first European team to win outside their own continent? Or will Argentina add another star to their the crest on their jersey?

Everyone is gunning for the Germans whether they know their soccer or not. They are in fashion. But I am a hopeless romantic.  By Monday morning when I walk out of the cave I have dug myself in since 13 June with long, unkempt hair and grown a beard, I just hope for an exciting and epic game for not every World Cup final is memorable.

For the Germans, playing a high defensive line means Neuer plays a key role like a sweeper and captain Philip Lahm must keep his right back position. If only Angel di Maria plays then Argentina will have an even better chance. Not only did he topped the statistics for his efforts, he was Man-of-the Match when Real Madrid tore Bayern Munich apart in the last Champions League and his presence will keep Lahm pegged back in defence rather than for him to venture out too often. Hummels will be dangerous at set pieces so he must be watched. 

The key battle shall be in midfield. The engine room where Toni Kroos is the main man who controls the pace in a quiet but highly effective way. Javier Mascherano shall be his nemesis for he is the man who pulls all the stops and re-distribute play. Messi's presence alone made Holland waste a couple of players to shadow him which means they could not link up play among the rest with more effect that was why Holland, prolific as they have been, were unable to penetrate Argentina. Scolari made the mistake of sending his boys in all out attack for ten minutes against Germany and that proved to be his undoing because Brazil sadly do not have the resources to do it. It was like sending a  few boys to throw stones at a Rottweiler and when the Rottwieler got angry, it chased and bit them and Brazil got seven stitches. Argentina will not be doing that. The Germans have not man-marked and may choose to play their own game confidently. Messi must summon the blessings of the soccer God to have that one moment of magic that he is so capable of umpteen times in his career and none is bigger than this. For he shall no longer be in his twenties when they have to visit Russia. This is the day - boom or bust.

Although Germany still have Ozil, Schweinsteiger, Khedira, Schurrle and Klose, it is Thomas Muller who is the most deadly. Seeing these names tell you why Germany is so hard to stop. This is also why Gonzalo Higuain must raised his game that he is capable of, Lavezzi to come out with something more. It is unfortunate that Sergio Aguero may not be 100% fit to add on their weaponry. Argentina goalkeeper Sergio Romero will need to be at his best. Messi's presence alone will mean that Schweinsteiger, Khedira and Kroos will not have the licence to be free roaming.

The only few things that the mighty Germans have to look out for is firstly themselves - complacency. Some may have believed that their names were already etched on the Cup. The coach can give all his reminders and warnings but I think they have this conquered for they remain a team and are always humble and respectful of their opponents. They have the advantage of not playing extra-time or burned nervous energy on penalties with extra rest. Their high defensive line is a necessity for their method of play. 

The Germans have already peaked, much earlier on. Argentina have yet to peak or may never have peaked. At the beginning, I told you that the team that wins the World Cup will peak at the right time. Was Germany's peak at the right time or will Argentina peak in the last match? Based on the soccer that have been dished out so far, it is Germany's Cup to loose. For the positive soccer that they play, I would want them to win. However, this may be the last chance for Messi to show the world his greatest magic at the World Cup. Remember those great individuals: Maradona in 1986, Zinedine Zidane in 1998 and Ronaldo (Brazil) in 2002. Messi is no less than anyone of them and if you add on his goals and assists at club level, he is God's gift to mankind. 

It will be a different kind of match we will witness. A confident, brilliant, efficient Germany with solid team work taking on a tight, narrow, compact and disciplined Argentina with the world's best player. Will the "Little Flea'' jumped onto the Rottwiler and caused a four year itch all the way to Russia?

The whole world is right now with Germany but do not bet all your children's or your parents savings on Germany. Go back to some previous World Cup finals to see if the team that peaks later won. I saw in 1974 that no one gave the Germans a chance and mind you the Germans were a very good team but because Holland were like magic, nobody thought they could lose. Based on pure soccer logic and sound judgement, it has to be Germany but romantics choose Argentina. I am a hopeless romantic. I choose Argentina because of Lionel Messi. He shall become World Cup folklore come Monday morning. You can develop and train a solid team in 4 years but it will take decades to find a genius, maybe never. What we have seen so far were just glimpses of Lionel Messi. Will the real and best Messi please come forth.

It is me against the world. It is Argentina to win 2-1 for me.