The po-faced Okada is hardly the best example – he’s about as progressive as an Easter Island statue – but such relentless conservatism is symptomatic of a tournament in which the fear of being humiliated has outweighed the instinct to play attacking football.
Australia’s opening clash with Germany was a classic example, with Socceroos coach Pim Verbeek setting his stall out for a draw only to watch on in dismay as the decision backfired spectacularly.
Playing one up front has been the formation of choice in international football for some time now, so it’s refreshing to see teams like Paraguay play a more attacking style – especially when it comes at the expense of an outfit as dismal as Slovakia.
And while it’s understandable to see teams of limited resources such as North Korea and New Zealand attempt to park the bus – and congratulations to Ricki Herbert and his team for their phenomenal 1-1 draw against Italy overnight – there have been far too many pedigreed sides looking to simply shut up shop and grind their way through the group stage.
It’s been that kind of a World Cup so far, where caution is the watchword and supposed giants such as England, Italy and France have had neither the bravado, nor the personnel required to break down workmen-like defences.
I just hope that for the sake of international football that it’s not a relentlessly dull tournament throughout, and to that end we could see the rise of some previously unheralded teams like the aforementioned Paraguay and their well-organised Latin American cousins Chile.
Indeed, from a neutral’s point of view it would be nice to see a new name taste success in this tournament, so it will be fascinating to see how Spain recovers from its shock first-up loss to Switzerland, when they take on Honduras in their next Group H encounter.
The free-flowing Spaniards were expected to be one of the real bright sparks, but they struggled to click into gear against a compact Swiss defence, and anything less than a comprehensive victory over Central American battlers Honduras will bring their early favouritism into serious doubt.
The lack of goals and a somewhat eerie atmosphere in the stands has made for a strange start to a World Cup, with the sight of empty seats greeting TV viewers for many kick-offs, while the unyielding drone of the vuvezela never alters its tone – no matter what is happening on the pitch.
Still, with several big guns looking to book their progression to the Round of 16, the final round of group-stage games should herald some much-needed fireworks and hopefully lift the standard of football in the process.
And there is still plenty of time for individual talents like Lionel Messi and Kaka to stamp their class on the tournament, or perhaps for one or two lesser lights to establish a name for themselves.
Here’s hoping that their coaches allow them to shine, rather than succumbing to the tactical caution and unadventurous football that has plagued some of the early matches, in what has been one of the dreariest starts to a World Cup in recent memory.
Art Sapphire
Guest
Thanks for the Godot reference, Greg. Try this for size. "Go on failing. Go on. Only next time, try to fail better" - Samuel Beckett Now this can sum up all sorts of sporting analogies. You can apply it to the prevailing conservative tactics at the World Cup. There can only be one winner but employing these tactics can make the non-winners fail better. Beckett would be most pleased in a sort of miserable way. Happily, now you can switch on after 120 minutes and watch the "Endgame" that is the penalty shootout.
Brett McKay
Guest
"..they mean one can just switch on the TV at 120 minutes rather than waiting for Godot for 2 hours..." Can I give you a hand up onto the Bandwagon with me, Greg?!? Agree with your comments on the shootout, by the way. I quite enjoy them too. I even enjoyed the rugby version in the Heineken Cup (semi?) last year. It's just great theatre...
Mike Tuckerman
Expert
Heh, great post Greg. I too am a closet fan of the shoot-out, and have often wondered why it is that some teams (Germany) are considered inherently better at it than others (England), when surely practice (not to mention a bit of mental strength, as you alluded to) is a key component? And I await with bated breath to see whether the sound of vuvezelas drowns out Sepp Blatter's post-World Cup final speech at Soccer City. Now that would be an appropriate use of the instrument!
Greg Russell
Roar Guru
1. Mike, I agree completely. If I were a coach of a team making it through to the knockout rounds, I'd be making penalty practice the focus of training. I mean, if there are draws between teams as disparate as Algeria-England and Italy-New Zealand, then how tight are things going to be when it comes to more even teams and higher stakes? Penalty shootouts, here we come! Personally I quite like them, because (1) they mean one can just switch on the TV at 120 minutes rather than waiting for Godot for 2 hours, (2) I find they are skill-based, rather than being the "lottery" that everyone unthinkingly labels them, and (3) the psychological drama is riveting (this is also part of point 2 - mental strength may legitimately be called an important "skill" in all sports). 2. "while the unyielding drone of the vuvezela never alters its tone – no matter what is happening on the pitch." Not quite true. I often wonder that the vuvuzelas are not blown during the national anthems. Let's at least give the South Africans a shred of credit for observing this important courtesy.
westy
Guest
I am disappointed with the overall technical standard of European football nations.If Slovakia got through then it points to Poland , Czech state, hungary and Russia not being very good.Who did Switzerland beat? Is it just me or is the import of elite players to the Spanish / Italian/ English League s finally having a profound impact on the technical quality and competitive quality and combativeness of European footballers. European football can no longer rely on the organisational proficiency of managers to overcome a simple lack of quality players With the possible exception of the Netherlands and maybe Germany and Portugal the technical proficiency of the English especially the back four and defensive midfielsd is to say the least limited. The French seem disinterested with more attention to next years UEFA Cup The "fringe " nations of South America such as Chile and Paraguaynot only in technical proficiency but tactical nous are going to take some beating before you worry about the likes of Argentina and Brazil.
Fivehole
Guest
Forlan hit a long one, but you are right, direct free kicks and long range strikes have been almost non existant
dasilva
Guest
The ironic thing is that Ivory Coast are probably is going to rely on goal difference to go through. They probably need Brazil to beat Portugal by a fair margin to qualify. Them sending off Kaka perversely is going to work against their team I laugh if it's a 0-0 draw knocking out Ivory Coast due to the lack of creativity due to Kaka's absence.
NUFCMVFC
Guest
Have to say that Jubilani ball doesen't help, players don't seem to have got the hang of it and over hit passes etc, making it hard to play attractive passing football and curl in good crosses. Not to mention they can't make it dip on free kicks, meaning most they try to curl under the bar go way over, keepers screw up direct power shots, making for embarrassment, haven't yet seen any long range bullet strikes with the ball yet but we know they are possible Plus I think many are playing in a little bit of an unfamiliar environment, although I'm not sure what the mix between heat and humidity is there etc, when this happens, like the 2002 WC, we don tend to see a few more upsets so coaches are probably being a bit cautious, nevertheless the "big guns" are yet to really fire, except Germany vs us...Can't speak for the quality of the pitch
Gob Bluth
Guest
I agree Art. The Africans have been disgraceful. I thought ghana were dreadful against the Aussies, this doesn't sit well with people trying to talk up the Aussies achievement but I dare say they will prove to be one of the disappointments of the tournament. We've been talking up African football for a long time now with no results, the Asians should be aiming to claim that mantle as the next big things.
DaMan3000
Guest
GOLD
Peter K
Guest
The only excitement is from all the actors (cheats) and poor reffing. What a soft game when players are allowed to dive and writhe on the ground from the smallest contact. The women play a better game and are a damn site tougher than the men who play.
AA
Guest
Dempsey is a gun, he has proper knowhow and has shown up the 'expert panel' a few times. Keep him on SBS permanently.
Art Sapphire
Guest
Here is the best video which best describes why Kaka will not be playing against Portugal. Enjoy. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HC06LDf_4E4 Looks like Drogba has been giving drama classes to his compatriots :)
Mike Tuckerman
Expert
Don't we all, dasilva? It'll be interesting to see how New Zealand approach their final group-stage game against Paraguay, because the South American side have looked by far the most accomplished team in their group.
dasilva
Guest
Yeah, the more mediocre European gets knocked out the better IMO. I'm really have a huge distaste for the eurocentric views of Football
AndyRoo
Roar Guru
Tend to agree Art. Yes they by and large have more quality but nearly every time the news come through that minnow (i.e. someone outside of Europe not called Brazil or Argentina) qualifies for the World Cup we here how blah blah confederation is poor while (insert big name but underperforming European nation e.g Portugal) might miss out. Some people seem to love boring conservatism. Also Paul dempsey seems a strange choice for SBS as he is pretty patronising of non European nations.
Art Sapphire
Guest
Mike - Unless, the cautious Europeans pull their finger out this is going to be a Latin American World Cup and that is good news. Hopefully, attacking teams like Argentina, Chile, Mexico and even Paraguay (imagine that) go deep into the tournament. The Africans have been a disaster. It looks like all their natural positivity has been coached out of them by their European managers. Of the Europeans, the Germans and the Spanish have shown the most positive intent. The Dutch have been pragmatic but effective. As far as I'm concerned the rest of the Europeans can just go home.
Mike Tuckerman
Expert
And we won't even have the privilege of seeing Kaka line up against Portugal now, either.
Mick of Newie
Guest
Mike I agree. Look at Brazil this morning, when play broke down immeadiately they had 8 drop deep behind the ball. To see Brazil play counterattacking football is sad. The fact they counterattack so well and so fast is however a saving grace.
JR
Guest
Dull for you maybe, I am enjoying it!