Goalkeeper
05-10-2002, 01:53 AM
SA Exclusive: WORLD CUP 2002 PREVIEW
ZIZOU, THE MAGICIAN
As one studies the plethora of stars that will assemble in Japan and Korea, come June, Zinedine Zidane will definitely be one that will be watched extra carefully. The two-time World Footballer of the Year, who has led France to back-to-back titles as World Champions and European Champions, is definitely in the running for player of the tournament. In Zidane's feet lies the capability to help France retain the most precious football title of all. Fresh from a world-record transfer that was dubbed ridiculous till late, Zidane has finally come into his own at Real Madrid and is fast increasing los merengues' odds of winning a ninth Champions' League title.
THE WORLD AT THEIR FEET
If Les Bleus have Zizou, then the likes of Brazil, Italy, England, Argentina, Spain and Portugal have their own licensed versions. Among the superfluity of star-names in these squads lie names that can change the outcome of a World Cup, let alone a game, with one moment of magic.
Let's start with the samba-boy, Vitor Ferreira Rivaldo. Oh, what do you say about this man? Obscure to say the least until 1996, Rivaldo has become one of the most dreaded strikers/playmakers in world football. His left-footed lawnmowers, preposterous long shots and dazzling overhead kicks are no longer regarded as genius, but are rather trademarks of the man. For me, all it takes is one look at his momentous hat trick versus Valencia last year to know that with one sweeping drive, he can change Brazil's fortunes.
Next on my list is Azzurri's golden boy, Francesco Totti. He led AS Roma (with some help from a certain Fabio Capello) to their first Italian title in 18 years last season and very nearly helped Italy to the European Championship in 2000. Dubbed by Italy boss, Giovanni Trapattoni as "Italy's key to WC 2002", Totti is just waiting to explode. He will face stiff competition from Alessandro Del Piero for a starting spot, but if Totti gets going, then stopping Italy may just become a tad to hard.
The $64 million transfer of Zidane to Real must have made no one happier than Luis Figo. For once, the spotlight was off the former world transfer-fee record holder. While the media and fans piled the pressure on the Frenchman, Figo has silently come into his own and become the compelling force that he was at Barca. For his country, Figo has been more than a leader. Part of the devastating midfield trio of Conceicao-Rui Costa-Figo, he has played a key role in changing Portugal's fortunes of late. Hailed by many as the finest player in the world, Figo's temperament, talent, and sheer ability to deliver under pressure has catapulted him to fame.
I could go on and on with names like David Beckham, Juan Sebastian Veron, Michael Ballack, Manuel Rui Costa and Hidetoshi Nakata, and that is quite simply the splendor of this magnificent event. So, what does one expect going into the opening round of the WC?
ENTICING OPENING-ROUND CLASHES
Argentina vs. England – The big 'un! An entire nation will look on as Sven-Go's England look to exact revenge on the side that heaped so much misery on them last time round. The man who was then declared a villain (David Beckham) is now skipper and pending fitness, will be key to England's chances of progressing. Argentina are clearly favorites as most bookmakers would suggest and admittedly I like them better than England. But, I would beg to differ with football writers worldwide who have already written off English hopes for the summer. I believe they are well and truly capable of putting one over their old foes, and if Becks returns, then they almost certainly will. Just call it intuition.
Germany vs. Cameroon – May not be your standard high-profile clash, but between perennial World Cup giants Deutschland and Africa's most talented and hopeful squad, I sincerely doubt you are going to be bored. Cameroon have a largely young squad, most of it comprised of the Olympic-winning side of 2000. Led by German Winfried Schäfer, the African Champions will look to achieve (or even better) their record at Italia 90. And, what better place to start than upset an unhinged German side. But, then again, Germany may have hobbled into the WC, but now that they are here, don't even think about writing them off!
Italy vs. Croatia – Italy have traditionally made it hard for themselves to get past the opening stages of big competitions. But once past that hurdle, they tend to do well. In one of their round-robin matches, the three-time world champions meet a team that is surely not what it was four years ago, but still makes for stiff competition. Led by their veteran golden boot holder, Davor Suker, and a defence composed of champions like Juventus' Igor Tudor, Inter Milan's Dario Simic, Bayern's Robert Kovac and Leverkusen's Boris Zivkovic, Croatia can definitely spring a surprise for the second WC in a row.
ZIZOU, THE MAGICIAN
As one studies the plethora of stars that will assemble in Japan and Korea, come June, Zinedine Zidane will definitely be one that will be watched extra carefully. The two-time World Footballer of the Year, who has led France to back-to-back titles as World Champions and European Champions, is definitely in the running for player of the tournament. In Zidane's feet lies the capability to help France retain the most precious football title of all. Fresh from a world-record transfer that was dubbed ridiculous till late, Zidane has finally come into his own at Real Madrid and is fast increasing los merengues' odds of winning a ninth Champions' League title.
THE WORLD AT THEIR FEET
If Les Bleus have Zizou, then the likes of Brazil, Italy, England, Argentina, Spain and Portugal have their own licensed versions. Among the superfluity of star-names in these squads lie names that can change the outcome of a World Cup, let alone a game, with one moment of magic.
Let's start with the samba-boy, Vitor Ferreira Rivaldo. Oh, what do you say about this man? Obscure to say the least until 1996, Rivaldo has become one of the most dreaded strikers/playmakers in world football. His left-footed lawnmowers, preposterous long shots and dazzling overhead kicks are no longer regarded as genius, but are rather trademarks of the man. For me, all it takes is one look at his momentous hat trick versus Valencia last year to know that with one sweeping drive, he can change Brazil's fortunes.
Next on my list is Azzurri's golden boy, Francesco Totti. He led AS Roma (with some help from a certain Fabio Capello) to their first Italian title in 18 years last season and very nearly helped Italy to the European Championship in 2000. Dubbed by Italy boss, Giovanni Trapattoni as "Italy's key to WC 2002", Totti is just waiting to explode. He will face stiff competition from Alessandro Del Piero for a starting spot, but if Totti gets going, then stopping Italy may just become a tad to hard.
The $64 million transfer of Zidane to Real must have made no one happier than Luis Figo. For once, the spotlight was off the former world transfer-fee record holder. While the media and fans piled the pressure on the Frenchman, Figo has silently come into his own and become the compelling force that he was at Barca. For his country, Figo has been more than a leader. Part of the devastating midfield trio of Conceicao-Rui Costa-Figo, he has played a key role in changing Portugal's fortunes of late. Hailed by many as the finest player in the world, Figo's temperament, talent, and sheer ability to deliver under pressure has catapulted him to fame.
I could go on and on with names like David Beckham, Juan Sebastian Veron, Michael Ballack, Manuel Rui Costa and Hidetoshi Nakata, and that is quite simply the splendor of this magnificent event. So, what does one expect going into the opening round of the WC?
ENTICING OPENING-ROUND CLASHES
Argentina vs. England – The big 'un! An entire nation will look on as Sven-Go's England look to exact revenge on the side that heaped so much misery on them last time round. The man who was then declared a villain (David Beckham) is now skipper and pending fitness, will be key to England's chances of progressing. Argentina are clearly favorites as most bookmakers would suggest and admittedly I like them better than England. But, I would beg to differ with football writers worldwide who have already written off English hopes for the summer. I believe they are well and truly capable of putting one over their old foes, and if Becks returns, then they almost certainly will. Just call it intuition.
Germany vs. Cameroon – May not be your standard high-profile clash, but between perennial World Cup giants Deutschland and Africa's most talented and hopeful squad, I sincerely doubt you are going to be bored. Cameroon have a largely young squad, most of it comprised of the Olympic-winning side of 2000. Led by German Winfried Schäfer, the African Champions will look to achieve (or even better) their record at Italia 90. And, what better place to start than upset an unhinged German side. But, then again, Germany may have hobbled into the WC, but now that they are here, don't even think about writing them off!
Italy vs. Croatia – Italy have traditionally made it hard for themselves to get past the opening stages of big competitions. But once past that hurdle, they tend to do well. In one of their round-robin matches, the three-time world champions meet a team that is surely not what it was four years ago, but still makes for stiff competition. Led by their veteran golden boot holder, Davor Suker, and a defence composed of champions like Juventus' Igor Tudor, Inter Milan's Dario Simic, Bayern's Robert Kovac and Leverkusen's Boris Zivkovic, Croatia can definitely spring a surprise for the second WC in a row.