|
 Watching two old men playing chess in a park would have been more exciting than watching Brazil's performance in the opening round of the World Cup. A squad made up of some of the world's top players struggled against the likes of Croatia, Australia and Japan. The feeling at the end of two of the games - Croatia and Australia - was relief that defeat had been avoided rather than a victory gained.
The biggest victory - 4-1 against Japan - flattered the world champions who were one goal down until Ronaldo (finally) scored a goal in the dying moments of extra time in the first half. Although Brazil's face was saved in the second half with another three goals, there was little to cheer about in terms of the quality of the football. For long periods the Brazilians passed the ball aimlessly around the midfield as if players like Ronaldinho Gaúcho and Robinho were afraid to do what they do best - take on the opposite players and dazzle them and the fans with spectacular footwork and finishing. Presumably they were following the "tactics" of coach Carlos Alberto Parreira. I'm sure I was not the only spectator hoping to see Japan score another goal or two just to show that Brazil's victory was nothing to celebrate. The immediate prospects are not much better since the next game will be against another team of no-hopers, Ghana. This means the Brazilian players will be under no pressure to wake up, show some spirit and live up to the expectations of millions of fans back home and around the world. What a pity they do not face a real challenge such as being drawn against teams like Germany, Portugal and Argentina which have real opposition in the next round in the shape of Sweden, Holland and Mexico respectively. The prospect of playing against a serious team is what this Brazilian team needs to force it to produce its best. A big European outfit like England or, even better, arch-rivals Argentina, would show if the current team were the men from Brazil or, as they are at the moment, the boys from Brazil. Had Brazil faced the current Argentinean side in its present form it would have stood no chance. Although Argentina thrashed Serbia and Montenegro 6-0, their game against Holland gave a better idea of the team's strengths. Even though the game ended in a goalless draw, the pace and cohesion of the Argentinean team must have frightened Brazil. The irony is that Argentina's star player, Tevez, a volcano of energy who did more running in one game than Ronaldo has done in three, plays, not in Argentina or Europe (as do most of the Brazilian team) but here in Brazil. Maybe it's time Brazil went back to its roots. It may be summertime in Germany but winter officially arrived here this week and, if the current Brazilian squad does not improve its performance, we can look forward to a winter of discontent. John Fitzpatrick is a Scottish writer and consultant with long experience of Brazil. He is based in São Paulo and runs his own company Celtic Comunicações. You can read more by him at his site www.brazilpoliticalcomment.com.br. He can be contacted at jf@celt.com.br. © John Fitzpatrick 2006
| 
Subscribe to this comment's feed
ragons, giants, angels, raptors , etc.etc. ( What a crack ) 
Admit it.
;
They are calling the Brazilian performance against Japan as superb (read Fifa, BBC, etc).
In the first half, the Japanese goalkeeper made 5 spectacular defenses, he is a true Samurai. The Japanese are the actual Asia’s champion. The Japanese played a good football but could not resist to Brazil’s talent.
Go watch England; they look like a bunch of pinball, bouncing all over the field without real skills and art.