Day 5: Togo strikes, scores
13 June 2006, 23:41
General Gnassingbé Eyadéma was president of Togo from 1967 until 2005. He ruled through terror, rigged elections, and cultish megalomania. Eyadéma used to throw lavish parties and commission statues of himself. Last year he died of a heart attack, and his son took over. The soccer team, meanwhile, qualified for its first World Cup.
The Togolese soccer federation is run by Rock Gnassingbé, brother of the president and son of Eyadéma. He is also the head of the army’s artillery division. (I suppose he is multi-talented.) Before the African Cup of Nations, the Togolese team went on strike, claiming that Rock and his cronies were hording all the soccer money. After negotiations, the team played on, but not well. So Rock fired the manager and hired Otto Pfister, a German who has coached in 13 different countries. He didn’t know the players and had little time to prepare. On the eve of their first match, the team, still fuming about their bonuses, threatened a walkout. Pfister quit.
Somehow coach and team showed up for the Tuesday’s game against South Korea. Incredibly, they came ready to play. They attacked the Korean goal with spirit, and their strikers Mohamed Kader and Emmanuel Adebayor created a host of goal-scoring opportunities. In the 34th minute, Kader gave Togo the lead with a blistering shot from a tough angle.
Things changed in the second half. Togo defender Jean-Paul Abalo was ejected for a second yellow card. The Koreans immediately scored. Then they took over possession in the midfield and, with twenty minutes to go, took over the lead. The Togo soap opera continues. Team statues and lavish victory parties will have to wait.
France and Switzerland played a dull 0-0 draw. It seems that France cannot score goals, even with Thierry Henry, one of the world’s best. Switzerland can best be described as neutral.
The Brazilians made their 2006 World Cup debut against Croatia. I always enjoy the red-and-white checkers of Croatia. The team played well, creating many chances, but they couldn’t get the ball past the Brazilian keeper Dida. The world champions did not live up to the hype. They played with a calm that might be mistaken for sluggishness. A wicked shot from Kaka, which preserved a 1-0 victory, was their only highlight. I do suggest, however, that you watch Brazil on Univision, if only to hear the lovely cadence of “Kaka va Kaka va Kaka!”
Wednesday afternoon features the blitzkrieg battle between Poland and Germany. Expect some violence both on and off the field.
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Day 4: One man's 0-0 draw is another man's 0-0 draw
die reine Spekulation, corrected!
great job Austin
— connie reber · 14 June 2006, 19:43 · #