Best Stadium
The only shortcoming of this stadium, that I realized most during the Semi-final is the distance to the field when you are sitting behind the goal.
Even Soccer City provides one with greater proximity to the pitch for these category 4 seats.
In terms of spectator value from the cheap seats, it is difficult to beat the vantage point achieved at Ellis Park where at times you feel you are right on top of the pitch.
Even Soccer City provides one with greater proximity to the pitch for these category 4 seats.
In terms of spectator value from the cheap seats, it is difficult to beat the vantage point achieved at Ellis Park where at times you feel you are right on top of the pitch.
Similarly, the fan walk in Greenpoint was probably the most fan centric venue during the pre-match build up.
The new stadiums of Nelspruit and Polokwane, while I fear these may become white elephants, were excellent venues to see Italy and France go down and were more than suitable.
Best Roadtrip
On June 17th, near the conclusion of the Argentina v South Korea match at Soccer City, which despite not scoring a goal, Lionel Messi dominated, I was convinced by some French volunteers to drive to Polokwane, about 300 plus kilometers away from Soweto to watch France v Mexico.
It was a very cold evening in the Limpopo province, but who could give up the chance of this rare World Cup doubleheader.
Having always supported the French teams of Platini and Zidane, one always felt that this current French addition was like the Titanic, waiting for their iceberg.
The Mexicans and their terrific traveling supporters provided such the tonic and thoroughly dispensed with the French ensuring their passage through the knock out rounds and setting up the French implosion to come in the run up to the Bafana Bafana match the following week.
Sombreros off to the Mexicans. At every ground we went to, regardless of who was playing we saw Mexican fans who showed the fact that they like to travel and have a passion for the game which goes beyond the support for their side.
Unlike the Brazilians, the Argentineans and to a certain extent the Dutch, the Mexicans had none of the arrogance of entitlement – that expectation that their team must and should win.
The Mexicans, passionate and devoted, were happy to see their team progress and with their wrestling masks and Azteca gear where colour, loud and fun.
An honorable mention goes to the Chilean brigade whose ropey run into the knock out rounds ensured, their travels continued into the tournament’s second half.
This is a very difficult call.
Probably Bafana Bafana v France, while it was largely a dead rubber, had us believing for a minute, that Bafana could actually get through the knock out rounds on goal difference.
The atmosphere in Bloemfontein was electric and it was great to see the French go down.
While it will go down as a disappointing tournament for them, the Selectao of Brazil played absolutely sublime football in demolishing Chile in the Round of 16 at Ellis Park.
Having seen Chile play Spain more closely a few nights early, we were lulled into the false belief that all was rosey in the Brazilian camp and they would glide into the finals dispatching the Dutch and another other followers along the way.
How different the World Cup would have been.
Brazil were devastating on the night and in retrospect, while the Dutch deserved to be in the final, one can’t help thinking that Spain v Brazil was the dream final that the tournament deserved.
While Ghana v Uruguay had the most incidents, the final result left too bitter a taste.
I therefore have to go for Rustenburg and the Round of 16 - Ghana v USA.
I owe much to the USA as the place of my childhood including were I learned to play and love soccer but I have never had much an attachment to the national team.
I wish them well, but they do not inspire me.
Ghana on the other hand, caught our imagination this tournament and promised so much including a dramatic hard fought and deserved victory of the USians.
It was a night for the Stars, as Mick Jagger and Bill Clinton were in the house in this dusty north west town 2 hours outside of Johannesburg.
What a night as the Black Stars prevailed!
While Diego ‘the heartbreaker’ Forlan was devastating in his strikes I witnessed notably at Loftus against South Africa and at Soccer City against Ghana in the quarterfinals from a free kick, the best goal for me was Maicon’s near post strike against the North Koreans.
We were right on top of the corner flag on the side of the pitch where Maicon made his lightening run and watched events unfold as he beat the Korean keeper for pace on his near post the ball somehow swearving into the side netting.
Brilliant Maicon!
Diego Forlan deserves all the kudos he is getting. His scissor kick in the 3rd place match against the Germans, showed his consistency throughout the tournament and his ability to score different types of goals, whether it be his penalty against Bafana Bafana, to the free kick against Ghana he consistently delivered through the entire competition.
A special mention to David Villa and his soul patch, he is a gutsy player and his endeavor and fox in the box predator approach, helped Spain out of a few tight spots.
I think the trio of Khedira, Ozil and Muller of Ze Germans must get the nod as the outstanding young players of the tournament.
Muller of course, was known to those who watched Bayern Munich, but I don’t think his pre tournament billing could come close to what he achieved in this tournament.
Muller may have been the difference for Germany in the Durban semifinal, and certainly, his second yellow card against Argentina was one of the most unfortunate decisions of the knock out rounds.
Every World Cup has that one moment, that will live on infamy.
The Zidane headbutt in 2006, the Maradona hand of god in 1986, England’s not over the line goal in 1966.
For South Africa, 2010, that moment was the Suarez handball that denied Ghana automatic passage at the end of extra time and ensuring Africa’s first semifinalist.
The Ghana v Uruguay match was both the emotional high and low of the tournament.
Gyan should have made his penalty, Suarez became a hate figure here in South Africa and the bitterness of disappointments of World Cups past all came back to the memories to haunt us.
The Durban semi-final.
Cape Town Fishmarket at the Sun Coast Casino, salmon teriyaki, yum!
It beat the rubbish were forced to eat the stadiums.
It was a very cold evening in the Limpopo province, but who could give up the chance of this rare World Cup doubleheader.
Having always supported the French teams of Platini and Zidane, one always felt that this current French addition was like the Titanic, waiting for their iceberg.
The Mexicans and their terrific traveling supporters provided such the tonic and thoroughly dispensed with the French ensuring their passage through the knock out rounds and setting up the French implosion to come in the run up to the Bafana Bafana match the following week.
Best Visiting Supporters
Unlike the Brazilians, the Argentineans and to a certain extent the Dutch, the Mexicans had none of the arrogance of entitlement – that expectation that their team must and should win.
The Mexicans, passionate and devoted, were happy to see their team progress and with their wrestling masks and Azteca gear where colour, loud and fun.
An honorable mention goes to the Chilean brigade whose ropey run into the knock out rounds ensured, their travels continued into the tournament’s second half.
Best Group Match
Probably Bafana Bafana v France, while it was largely a dead rubber, had us believing for a minute, that Bafana could actually get through the knock out rounds on goal difference.
The atmosphere in Bloemfontein was electric and it was great to see the French go down.
Best Overall Team Performance in a Match
Having seen Chile play Spain more closely a few nights early, we were lulled into the false belief that all was rosey in the Brazilian camp and they would glide into the finals dispatching the Dutch and another other followers along the way.
How different the World Cup would have been.
Brazil were devastating on the night and in retrospect, while the Dutch deserved to be in the final, one can’t help thinking that Spain v Brazil was the dream final that the tournament deserved.
Best Knock Out Round Match
I therefore have to go for Rustenburg and the Round of 16 - Ghana v USA.
I owe much to the USA as the place of my childhood including were I learned to play and love soccer but I have never had much an attachment to the national team.
I wish them well, but they do not inspire me.
Ghana on the other hand, caught our imagination this tournament and promised so much including a dramatic hard fought and deserved victory of the USians.
It was a night for the Stars, as Mick Jagger and Bill Clinton were in the house in this dusty north west town 2 hours outside of Johannesburg.
What a night as the Black Stars prevailed!
Best Goal
We were right on top of the corner flag on the side of the pitch where Maicon made his lightening run and watched events unfold as he beat the Korean keeper for pace on his near post the ball somehow swearving into the side netting.
Brilliant Maicon!
Special mention must also go to Tshabalala who opened the tournament's scoring on June 11th with a wonder strike against the Mexicans in the upper left hand corner.
It was such a pity Bafana Bafana was unable to hold on to that lead that opening day, how things could have been different.
It was such a pity Bafana Bafana was unable to hold on to that lead that opening day, how things could have been different.
I contend that the ball, Jabulani was perfectly fine.
How could Diego Forlan keep it down so well when other were ballooning their efforts. And the Blue Samurais with their free kick goals didn’t have a problem keeping the ball down. The problem with the ball was a lot of hype as far as I am concerned.
How could Diego Forlan keep it down so well when other were ballooning their efforts. And the Blue Samurais with their free kick goals didn’t have a problem keeping the ball down. The problem with the ball was a lot of hype as far as I am concerned.
Best Players of the Tournament
A special mention to David Villa and his soul patch, he is a gutsy player and his endeavor and fox in the box predator approach, helped Spain out of a few tight spots.
In terms of all around midfield play, you have to give credit to Schweinsteiger and Sneider for their over all box to box play, including Sneider for his contribution in front of goal.
Given the progression of the Spanish to the final, it would be hard to dispute the incredible contribution of Xava and Iniesta and the manner in which they keep control and dictate play.
They dominated the Germans and despite van Bommel best efforts to kick and disrupt them, they got the better of the Dutch in the end.
Given the progression of the Spanish to the final, it would be hard to dispute the incredible contribution of Xava and Iniesta and the manner in which they keep control and dictate play.
They dominated the Germans and despite van Bommel best efforts to kick and disrupt them, they got the better of the Dutch in the end.
At the back, I am a big fan of Diego Lugano the captain of Uruguay. He plays with heart, leads from behind by example and helped inspire his team to make an unlikely semi final run.
Maicon remains the best fullback in the competition, a total footballer in defense and attack, and in goal it is difficult to take anything away from Iker Casillas, whose foot save alone on Robben, saved Spain the ignominy of going down to an inferior team.
Maicon remains the best fullback in the competition, a total footballer in defense and attack, and in goal it is difficult to take anything away from Iker Casillas, whose foot save alone on Robben, saved Spain the ignominy of going down to an inferior team.
Best Young Player
Muller of course, was known to those who watched Bayern Munich, but I don’t think his pre tournament billing could come close to what he achieved in this tournament.
Muller may have been the difference for Germany in the Durban semifinal, and certainly, his second yellow card against Argentina was one of the most unfortunate decisions of the knock out rounds.
Most Dramatic Moment
The Zidane headbutt in 2006, the Maradona hand of god in 1986, England’s not over the line goal in 1966.
For South Africa, 2010, that moment was the Suarez handball that denied Ghana automatic passage at the end of extra time and ensuring Africa’s first semifinalist.
The Ghana v Uruguay match was both the emotional high and low of the tournament.
Gyan should have made his penalty, Suarez became a hate figure here in South Africa and the bitterness of disappointments of World Cups past all came back to the memories to haunt us.
Best pre-match meal
Cape Town Fishmarket at the Sun Coast Casino, salmon teriyaki, yum!
It beat the rubbish were forced to eat the stadiums.
What Made it All Worthwhile
Spending precious time with my brother Nikhil and my nephew Andrew and my generous friends, Ebrahim, Mick, Nina, Rika, MS, Adam and Anita.
Thanks for making it all such an incredibly memorable time. And to Ashley for supporting this blog!
As David Byrne sang... once in a lifetime ...
Thanks for making it all such an incredibly memorable time. And to Ashley for supporting this blog!
As David Byrne sang... once in a lifetime ...
Matches Attended
1. June 11, Soccer City – Bafana Bafana v Mexico (1-1)
2. June 12, Rustenburg – England v USA (1-1)
3. June 13, Durban – Germany v Australia (4-0)
4. June 15, Ellis Park – Brazil v North Korea (2-1)
5. June 16, Loftus – Uruguay v Bafana Bafana (3-0)
6. June 17, Soccer City – Argentina v South Korea (4-1)
7. June 17, Polokwane – Mexico v France (2-0)
8. June 19, Durban – Holland v Japan (1-0)
9. June 20, Nelspruit – New Zealand v Italy (1-1)
10. June 22, Bloemfontein – Bafana Bafana v France (2-1)
11. June 23, Soccer City – Germany v Ghana (1-0)
12. June 25, Loftus – Spain v Chile (2-1)
Round of 16
13. June 26, Rustenburg – Ghana v USA (2-1)
14. June 27, Bloemfontein – Germany v England (4-1)
15. June 28, Ellis Park – Brazil v Chile (3-0)
16. June 29, Cape Town – Spain v Portugal (1-0)
Quarterfinals
17. July 2, Soccer City – Ghana v Uruguay (1-1)
(Uruguay on penalties 4-2)
18. July 3, Ellis Park – Spain v Paraguay (1-0)
Semifinals
19. July 7, Durban – Spain v Germany (1-0)
Final
20. July 11, Soccer City – Spain v Netherlands (1-0)
Posts
Awesome summation Karamba! Possibly a small thank you to the weather gods (specifically the South Easter's controller)in Cape Town too...
ReplyDeleteI don't remember a single Forlan dribble, or open play piece of genius. I missed the scissors kick, tho. He was great with a dead ball, and with his shirt off, so me, I'd give it to Hondo.
ReplyDeleteFact: the ball is a yard too fast. Jabulani is the best explanation for the memory blanking on any decent open-play-skilled-dribbling. For so many ball-at-feet wizards - Kaka, Ronaldo, Rooney, Messi, even Robben, to flatline could not only have been due the imitation boerie rolls on the stadium menu's. And it wasn't like anyone else jumped into the open spaces left by these guys to grab the awe's. Maradona was wrong - there is a place for players like him in future WC's - just give them a decent ball! See the Women's u20 World Cup for further evidence.
Absolutely lurrrrrrved the spirit of it all, but I can't wait for Champions League for to see proper football - where individual genius is clear, mesmorizing, thrilling.
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