World Cup soccer hotting up

I usually start the column with cricket which is my pet subject having played it at the highest level. I digress to comment on my second pet sport soccer because I hail from a soccer crazy school St. Benedict's College.

Although not kicking a ball in school, I had followed the destines of that game very closely in a school that churned out champion teams regularly with Brazilian trained coach the late, great Albert Fernando being the coach without peer.

The once in four years FIFA World Cup 2010 tournament is in full swing in South Africa and at the time of writing all favourite teams have obliged and as the tourney progresses, the excitement should begin to unfold.

Make progress

The teams expected to make progress and dribble in the quarter, semi and finals are - Italy, France, Spain, Brazil, Argentina, England, Portugal and Germany. Argentina, Germany, Italy and Brazil won at the first time of asking. Argentina beat Nigeria 1-0, Germany thrashed Australia 4 - 0 and Brazil beat North Korea 2-1. France were held 0-0 by Uruguay, Spain lost to Switzerland 0-1, England drew with USA 1-1, Paraguay held Italy to a goalless draw and Portugal were held by Ivory Coast to a zero-zero draw.

However the upset so far has been the defeat of Spain by Switzerland. Spain, the European Cup winners, were tipped to figure in the final and carry their European Cup winning form in this tourney. But although dominating the game came a cropper.

Italy the reigning champions, were not that impressive in beating Paraguay by a single goal. South Africa - the hosts, had their moment of glory playing out a draw with the more fancied Mexico.

Eye catching

But the team that plays eye-catching football and dazzles, dominates opponents and keep spectators glued to their seats are the gold and green attired Brazilians with the most exciting ball players in the world.

Brazil who have carried away the trophy five times and who are determined to make it six, opened their campaign with a 2-1 win over North Korea. The Brazilians were not at their best, but was good enough to leave the field victorious.

Brazil is the team every other country would love to hate and beat. But the Brazilians under Dunga the coach and who led them to victory in a World Cup final, have studied the play and strategy of other teams and are confident of taking away the trophy this time too.

However, for North Korea it was untold joy, just to lose by a goal to Brazil. NK played their hearts out and did not allow the Brazilians who have men who can all score to have their own way

Not impressive

Coach Dunga said that the Brazilians were not impressive. Being their first outing, the players only showed glimpses of their natural flair. But once the tourney gathers momentum, they should strike peak form.

Group 'G' which has been labelled the group of death has Brazil, Portugal, North Korea and Ivory Coast dribbling to stay alive and all games in this group will be hotly contested with no quarter asked or given.

At the time of writing, more interesting clashes are on the cards and when it comes to staying alive, soccer of a very high standard should be witnessed, with favoured teams determined to have a fling at the trophy.

Although not playing in the tournament, Sri Lanka had their representatives taking in the excellent opening ceremony and watching the first game between South Africa and Mexico that ended in a thrilling draw.

Scene of action

At the scene of action were FFSL Management Committee Chairman Manilal Fernando, President FFSL Sarath Weerasekera who is a Member of Parliament, Chief Executive FFSL Chrysantha Perera and Vice President FFSL Ranjith Rodrigo.

Incidentally Fernando has made his and the Country's presence in FIFA felt by being the first Sri Lankan to be included in the FIFA Football Family. Being a legal eagle, he has served on the Legal Committee of FIFA and is now the Development Officer for the game in South and Central Asia and sits on the Transfer Committee of the World Body. Great on Fernando.

Sahid Afridi heroic

While all eyes were focused on the FIFA 2010 World Cup action in South Africa, the Asia Cup cricket tournament contested by India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka was called play in Dambulla with Sri Lanka fronting up to Pakistan under lights in the first game.

Pakistan Captain Sahid Afridi who has been Sri Lanka's nemesis many a time, repeated again by blasting probably the best three-figure mark in a game played in Dambulla.

Although his team was on the losing side, he made that defeat one to remember by playing a classic innings that was enjoyed by everyone present on the ground and those taking in the action on their TV sets.

Highly talented

Afridi a highly talented all rounder, has not lived to expectations after his blazing entry into the big league. He served notice of his immense talent when he exploded with an unbelievable century against Sri Lanka in a triangular tourney in Kenya in 1996.

Sri Lanka had just won the 1995/96 World Cup in Lahore beating Australia and their first outing after that was a tour to Kenya. A Pakistani player was injured and Afridi who was with the youth team in the Caribbean was summoned to strengthen the Pakistanis in Kenya.

Against Sri Lanka he played a once in a life time innings where he scattered the Lankan attack that had won them the World Cup to all parts of the field and over it as well, in scoring what is still the fastest century in 50- over cricket.

Century to savour

That was a century to savour. Watching that punishing innings were the writer covering that tour for the ANCL Group of Newspapers, cheer leader Lionel the legend, Sherwin Gomez and Saddhatissa. That innings is still vivid in my memory.

It was pleasing to watch Afridi playing a similar innings in Dambulla, where he made mince meat of the Lanka attack, especially Muttiah Muralitharan who he sent for five well timed sixes. Muralitharan would not have been treated so disrespectfully for a long time.

It was nice to see slinger Lasith Malinga back among the wickets with five, which steered Sri Lanka to a 16-run victory. He is now looking a cricketer having shed his tinted hair which gave him a comedian look.