Day 13 Preview: Portuguese matinee
21 June 2006, 00:39
When the World Cup schedule was announced, everyone said, mark your calendars: June 21st. The match we were anticipating, which takes place today, is the Netherlands v. Argentina. The excitement has waned a little because both teams have already booked their places into the second round. The only thing at stake is placement and pride. The first will barely matter. I’m sure neither team wants to face Portugal next, but there’s no Brazil in the near future no matter what happens. Expect them to play it safe.
That being said, this could be a preview of the final, and there is still pride. It will be interesting to see if Argentina coach Jose Pekerman gives his youngsters Tevez and Messi a bit more time on the field. The Univision commentators call Messi “the flea” because he is so small and quick. They call Tevez “the Apache” because, I guess, he looks Apache-like as he slashes up the defense.
On the Dutch side, Robben shined in the first game, Van Persie in the second. Who’s next? Dirk Kuyt?
In Gelsenkirchen, Portugal faces Mexico, a match-up between Marquez and Deco. It will also feature Portuguese winger Luis Figo, a former World Player of the Year. Figo is often described as a “matinee idol.” When you look at him, it’s easy to see why. He’s got the square jaw, the brooding look, and the strange greased hair. There’s more to it than that. He exudes a weird, but compelling, nonchalance. He seems to be simply going through the motions, silent-movie style, of being a soccer superstar.
In Barcelona, where Figo used to be a hero, he is called a traitor and a “pesetero” (a mercenary good-for-nothing) for transferring to Real Madrid. When he plays at the Nou Camp in Barcelona, they throw pig heads at him (He has since moved to Italy). In parts of Portugal, he is called old and slow. He is 33, and his nonchalance sometimes gets the better of him. At other times, he zigs and zags down the wing, for seemingly no reason. I have caught myself yelling at the TV screen, “Figo! Figo! Figo! What are you doing?”
Other times, he is suddenly running by defenders. He doesn’t look like he’s going fast, but he is. Against Angola, he just swooped in, like it was easy, stole the ball, and played it back nicely to a wide-open Pauleta. Goal. He has a deceptive burst, and knows when to turn it on.
Figo is the last of Portugal’s “golden generation,” a group of players that won youth championships some fifteen years ago and were supposed to bring Portuguese soccer to a new level. They may not have, but they’ve inspired a new generation that fills the team now. Figo is the aging star among them. He’s still an idol.
Here’s what’s what:
Portugal is through. They win the group with a draw. Mexico can take top honors with a win. Angola still has a shot, but they need to beat Iran, they need Portugal to win, and they need at least one of those victories to be a blowout.
Argentina wins their group with a draw. Holland must win to finish on top.
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Day 12: Two world wars and what?
Serbia & Montenegro v. Ivory Coast, 3:00
According to the India Times… Tevez comes from a neighborhood nicknamed Fort Apache.
— cow · 21 June 2006, 13:29 · #
India Times story:
http://sport.indiatimes.com/soccerarticleshow/1503913.cms
— cow · 21 June 2006, 13:30 · #