The Young and the Restless Checked

The Germans looked strangely grim and subdued against Spain today. Maybe the European Cup championship loss two years ago to the same team was haunting them. Maybe the burden of expectations had finally caught up with them. Maybe the thunderous victory over Argentina had sapped them of motivation. More likely, Spain's superior ball control and possession disrupted the flow of their exuberant soccer. Whatever the reason, Spain was clearly the superior team from the get-go and deservedly won 1-0.

Miroslav Klose hardly saw the ball. Mesut Ozil was nervous. None of the set plays of Germany ever had a chance to "unfolded like a symphony." The players were chasing the ball most of the time. Too many of their passes went awry. They seemed in awe of the Spaniards, showed them too much respect. Spain displayed more imagination and daring, two qualities that had become synonymous with the German team until now.

What Germany had to do was not allow Spain to dictate the flow of the game. But that's what the Klose and company precisely did. In fact, Spain did to Germany what Germany did to Argentina.

Soccer can be sublime and exhilarating but it can also be cruel which, given the idiosyncrasies of the referees, was often the case in this World Cup. But none of that was an issue today. Spain seemed mentally better prepared . It showed in the self-assurance of its players on the pitch . Germany may yet redeem itself somewhat by winning the "bronze medal" against Uruguay on July 10. It can also look forward to building on the promise of its young players. Experience can be a great teacher.

In terms of democratizing the appeal of soccer, though, there couldn't be a better final on July 11. Neither Spain nor Holland had ever won a World Cup. The Netherlands played in the finals twice, in 1974 (lost to host West Germany) and 1978 (lost to host Argentina). The "total football" of the Orangies can be a breathtaking combination of finesse, power and creativity. Spain is the favorite in terms of overall talent and teamwork. It can take control of a game with uncanny passing and lightning charges from the flanks. A most intriguing and keenly-contested match awaits us.

Unlike the "usual suspects," a new nation will be crowned the king of soccer this Sunday, and that's a good thing for the World Cup and its billions of followers. The storied honor associated with the most popular sport on the planet should spread wider so that even the smallest nation participating can one day claim the ultimate prize.

As for who will raise the trophy on July 11, I am going with Holland. But to do that, clockwork orange will have to play exactly unlike the Germans. The Dutch must show no respect and go at the Spaniards with everything they have right away. They must complement their brilliance with steely toughness, both mental and physical. If they make their intention clear in the opening minutes, the game will tilt in their favor. And South Africa and Amsterdam will erupt in joy, even as darkness descends on Madrid and Barcelona.

Do Cry for Me, Argentina (and Brazil)!

Germany's ruthless dismantling of Argentina 4-0 on the world's biggest sporting stage will haunt the South American nation for decades to come. Somewhere down the road, there maybe revenge or redemption but not anytime soon. Diego Maradona relied far too much on the artistry of Messi and Tevez and perhaps a few others but ignored the fact that he also had to defend his fort. His "attack, attack, attack" style of play could not mask the holes in his defense and midfield. Argentine defense was porous and second-class at best, and the Germans exploited it to the hilt.

The inventive and unselfish Germans had two advantages going into the quarterfinals: a) Michael Ballack's absence and b) the loss to Serbia 1-0 in the group match. The first meant that the predictable and ponderous Ballack would not stymie the free-flowing game of the young and the relentless Germans. The second was a wakeup call that only increased the fierce resolve of the team to win.

But perhaps the greatest asset of the Germans is the mix of their players. Mesut Ozil is a Muslim of Turkish descent. Sami Khedira and Jerome Boateng have Tunisian and Ghanaian fathers., respectively. Cacau is a naturalized Brazilian and Dennis Aogo boasts a Nigerian heritage. Combining forces with Klose, Mueller and the rest of the team, they ran Messi and company ragged for 60 minutes. The last 30 minutes of the game was painful to watch as the Argentines simply folded. They were outrun, outhustled, and outperformed in every aspect of the game. Messi's weak shots were easily blocked. In all, he took 30 shots on goal in the tournament and not one went in, a deeply disappointing performance. Messi may yet redeem himself in 2114 but that's an eternity away.

As for Brazil, although its defense was also poor overall, the player responsible for the perennial favorite to get the boot in the quarterfinals was Kaka. This "star" also failed to score a single goal in the World Cup. The moment of truth came deep into the second half against Holland when Kaka fielded a ball in the penalty area and had ample time to take a look at the goal to line up the perfect shot. He took the shot and ... what a letdown! There was no curve to the ball as it floated harmlessly away. At that moment you knew that Brazil would lose. The only player who lived up to his billing was Robinho but even he proved to be not a finisher like Romario or Ronaldo.

Brazil will have to remain content with the "five-time champion" label for years to come. The 2114 World Cup will be held in Brazil but unless players like Romario or Ronaldo (too much to expect a Pele or a Garrincha) arrive to lead a young and energetic team who can change strategy as the dynamics of the pitch demands, quarterfinals will be as far as the host nation will go.

Brazil and Argentina remind me of India and Pakistan in field hockey. Until the '70s, these two nations always met in the final in the Olympics. Then other nations began investing in the sport and now India and Pakistan are often eliminated even before reaching the quarterfinals stage.

The German brand of soccer we are now witnessing is the result of a decade-long investment in developing new talents and new approaches to the game. German players seem to combine the flair and flamboyance of the South Americans and the athleticism and work ethic of the, well, Germans. It is unlikely that Spain, which was unconvincing in its 1-0 wins against both Portugal and Paraguay, can hold back the irresistible German force. Look for Germany against Holland in the final and for Klose and his rainbow team to hoist the World Cup after a hard-fought game.

Messi and Kaka are Still Goalless!

We are in the Quarterfinals phase in the 2010 World Cup soccer and yet the world's best players, Messi of Argentina and his close runner-up Kaka of Brazil haven't scored a single goal! Messi the playmaker had a hand, make that foot, in almost all the goals that Argentina scored, yet the peerless striker hasn't found the net himself. Kaka hasn't played to his potential yet, and although he too set up some goals for Brazil, he is yet to beat a goalkeeper himself. What's going on?

These two are marked men, and the best they can do through the maze of attacking players is to set up chances for others. Still, the hallmark of great soccer players is that they find a way to score against impossible odds. That's why they are great. Pele and Maradona and Cruyff had more than one opponent assigned to track and thwart their every move, still they performed their magic from impossible angles and through seemingly impenetrable walls.

It will be a shame if these two stars go through their run of the World Cup without a single goal to their credit. (No one remebers who provided the assists). Messi has to be at his best against Germany in the quarterfinals and carry his country on his genius. Bitter memories will haunt these two nemeses when they take to the pitch. Scoring a goal, and winning, will elevate Messi to his rightful place in soccer lore.

As for Kaka, unless he dazzles against Holland and helps Brazil to a convincing win, he will be considered a spent force. He will maintain his status in European leagues for a few more years but by 2014, he will be considered a spent force and will undoubtedly be replaced by younger wizards . Unless, of course, he does something spectacular in the remaining games for Brazil. Holland will be a tough mountain to conquer in the quarterfinals and the result could go either way. Holland's young Elia (of Surinamese descent), in particular, looks as good as any Brazilian and may help his country pull off an upset. Unless, again, Kaka does something sublime to give us an unforgettable moment or two at the 2010 World Cup.

Here's hoping that Messi and Kaka will deliver. And the ultimate dream final? Why, Messi against Kaka, of course!