Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Soccer And Latin America
Check this out. Each of the four quarter-final matches has one Latin American team in there. Is that something or is that something? Soccer is Latin America's game. Hats off to the continent of Latin America.
Brazil
Brazil
This blog post made me smile.
Brazil has a soccer ball on its flag. The Declaration Of Independence is America. Soccer, now that would be Brazil.
The New Republic: How To Beat Brazil
When the whistle blows and the match begins, jog around the pitch slowly, laconically, grinning the entire time. Your body language should express an indifference to the game itself. In fact, let your opponent control the pace, let them have possession, let them think they’re in charge. When you do get the ball, pass it around a little, just to see how it feels. Isn’t the stadium pretty under the lights? Smile. Mostly, though, wait. Be patient. Don’t run hard unless it’s absolutely necessary. Just for fun, let the other side have a few shots on goal, so they get their blood flowing. Then, after twenty minutes without a single scoring opportunity, manufacture one out of thin air—a broken play in the midfield, a counter-attack, a foul and a quick restart—and once in front of the rival’s net, be merciless........ Playing against Brazil is an absolute nightmare. ...... My entire life, I’ve been watching Brazil play poorly and win consistently. They are the rare team that never seems to be in control of the game, though they always are. The truth is they’re not playing the same game as their opponents. They’re playing something else, a sport related to soccer, but entirely different. In their version of the sport the rest of us know, if they score one on you, they’ll score three. Once you’re forced to chase the game—as Chile was today—they’re more than happy to tear you to pieces. ....... You can’t beat Brazil squandering opportunities. You have to score early, and often. You have to make them come to you. You have to force their defenders to play defense full time, without giving them a chance to make those lethal runs up the wings. And most importantly, you have to beat them for a solid ninety minutes. How many times have I seen Brazil be thoroughly dominated for eighty-five minutes, and walk off the pitch smiling and victorious, as if they found the entire spectacle amusing? ........ This team is stronger on defense than any Brazilian side I can recall, and they’re remarkably consistent in the attacking third. Luis Fabiano is a straight-up murderer. ...... the Brazilian bench is deep.Walking On The Moon
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- 2010 FIFA World Cup: Why Dunga's Tactics Can Bring Brazil More Success (bleacherreport.com)
- Brazil Sees Toughest Test Ahead Against Dutch (abcnews.go.com)
- Brazil and Chile 0-0 After 15 Minutes (nytimes.com)
- WORLD CUP: Brazil turn on the style at Chile's expense (tribalfootball.com)
- Brazil hammers Chile, will face Dutch (cnn.com)
- Watch Brazil Vs Chile Live Stream Free (oleole.com)
- Portugal v Brazil: live (telegraph.co.uk)
- Brazil to treat Holland game 'like a final' (guardian.co.uk)
- Robinho v Kaka Crossbar Challenge in Brazil training (origin.101greatgoals.com)
- Monday's Sweet 16 matchups (theglobeandmail.com)
- Brazil, Netherlands Qualify for WCup Quarterfinals (abcnews.go.com)
- Brazil leads Chile 2-0 at halftime (usatoday.com)
- Brazil Proves to Be Irresistible at World Cup (nytimes.com)
- WORLD CUP 2010 / Brazil sambas into quarters - next faces Dutch (sfgate.com)
- Georgina Turner: Brazil vs. Chile play-by-play analysis (sportsillustrated.cnn.com)
- Brazil Proves to Be Irresistible at World Cup (abcnews.go.com)
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