MEMORIES OF 2014 FIFA WORLD CUP IN BRAZIL SO FAR

 

The protests

It is no surprise that Brazil is the home of soccer due to their Samba football style and for winning the tournament a record 5 times.What was  however shocking was the manner protesters filled the streets in Brazil saying Governemt was wasting scarce national resource to fund a white elephat project like World Cup.The country is in economic recession evidenced by mass unemployment and that is why the protester were bent on stopping the event.This type of protest is uncommon in many FIFA organised event and the event in Brazil before kick off was embarrasing.

The Opening ceremony 

The opening ceremony was a beautiful display with Jlo putting up a splendid performance on the podium.i love the display of various cultures of Brazil and the history behind the beaches.

The teams

The teams of Latin America and Europe have shown how far they have developed the games over the years.The semi finals were between the four teams of Europe and Latin America.However. The performances of other part of the world were nothing to write home about save for USA and Costa Rica which put up a wonderful performance.Costa Rica got to Quarterfinals against all odds.They are the revelation of the tournament having topped a group that included Italy,England and USA.They won two games and drew with England.The team went down with their heads high.

The defending champion, Spain were a major disappointment in the tournament. They lost scandalously to Holland 4-0 in their first match.They lost second game and won 3-0 against Australia in what appeared to be an exhibition match.They and Australia went home whem the competition is just starting.Torres,Iniesta,Silva,Villa and Diego Costa could not help the team.

England was another disappointing team.They only managed a draw against Costa Rica.Rooney,Sterling,Sturidge,Gerrald and others were not able to save them.

Italy exited the tourmanet after first round.Gianlugi Buffon could not help them and did Balloteli nor Pirlo who lift the team.The 2006 champions were shadows of themselves on Brazil.

Christiano Ronaldo who had been battling injuries could not prevent Portugal from going home early.They were hammered 4-0 by Germany.

The Latin American teams of Mexico,Colombia and Chile gave good acount of themselves in the tournaments.

African teams were one the worst teams of the tournament.Cameroun represented Africa poorly by the on pitch display by the players and unnecessary red card of Alex Song.Ghana performed below par and Ivory Coast failed to raise their game after firt match win.Nigeria flopped in the round of 16 losing 2-0 to France.

Brazil disappointed many in the Semi Final match against Germany in Belo Horizonte.They were walloped 7-1 by Germany in a one sided match that saw Germany scoring almost each time they got into 18 yard box of Brazil.The match saw Mirislav Klose breaking world record of goals scored by a player  in FWC.He scored in that match to be one goal ahead of Ronaldo De Lima.His goal record is now 16.Ronaldo overtook Ger Muller of Germany when he brought his total tally to 15 in Korea Japan 2002.His goals including 2 in the final helped Brazil win it's 5th world cup.On July 12, Brazil which had been without their playmaker, Neymar Jnr in two games due to back injury lost 3-0.They went down as the first host nation to lose by that wide margin and recording their worst defeat ever in competitive match on home soil.They had no creativity in the mid field neither do that have up front. The defence was the worst.The defenders were not sharp and they were clay footed.

The players that impressed me are Tim Howard,USA goal tender for his beautiful saves especially against Belgium in the Round of 16.The lost to luck.Howard made history with 16 saves in the match.This is a record in FWC. Iam impressed with James Rodriguez of Comombia for his skills and for scoring 6 goals, the highest so far.Iam impressed with Germany goal keeper,Mexico goalkepper.Enyeama, the goal keeper of Nigeria impressed me.

Messi showed quality since the beginning of the match.He has matured and not afraid oof responsibilies and occasions.He has netted four goals so far int the tournament.

Robbin  Van Persie showed still why he is one of the best in football netting 4 goals so far.

Arjen Robben is a fantastic player and his skill combined with that of Van Persie propelled Netherland to a 3rd place finish.

Thomas Mueller is the engine and power room of Germany in this tournament.He has netted 4 goals so far. In all FWCS, he has a total of 10 goals.

Neymar Jnr is undoubtedly the arrow head of the Brazilian attack. He has scored 4 goal so far and would have scored in the last two matches but for the back injury he sustained against Colombia in the quarter finals.He narrowly missed paralysis due to the severity of the kick he received from a Colombian player.His absence has confirmed that the team depend on him.