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Saturday Vision, July 6, 2013 Confederations Cup 22 GROUP A Comment SOUND Aldrine Colombia Bolivia Costa Rica Nsubuga (ARG) (COL) (BOL) (CRC) LOUD DRUMS GROUP B he warning signs times. Now it had Germany, whoever has tried to rep- were there but become a full licate their football in order to com- Spain did not take blown crisis with pete on terms had failed. heed. The longer the 2014 World Brazil would try a different Spain remained on Cup already approach. In four months, Scolari T top of the awarded to Brazil modeled his team around Paulinho, world as hosts. It was Luis Gustavo, , Thiago game, time for a re-think. , Daniel Alves, and Fred, the They briefly flirted players previously ignored by more with the idea of Menezes but important to his phi- Brazil recalling ,Brazil Pato, losophy. Of physicalityParaguay and tactical Venezuela Ecuador were Ronaldhinho, Fabiano and even adeptness. Players who can mix hurting. Kaka, as they sought to re-establish aggression and speed with(PAR) adventure (VEN) (ECU) After all, it is their traditional Samba brand of when required. These would be the because of Brazil that football. But the time to plot a weapons to dominate and wear And so the world came to comeback was too short. The 2013 down the opposition, while the nim- GROUP C describe football as the FIFA Confederations Cup was less ble footed Oscar, , beautiful game, not Spain. than a year away at the same time and Marcelo would be the ones to in the final, It has been painful for the preparations for the 2014 World catch the enemy on the blind side home of football. When Cup had gathered momentum. with their creative maneuvers, skill Spain were Spain won the World Cup in The consensus was that winning and panache. Once this worked 2010, Brazil were helpless to the Confederations Cup was at this against Italy and Uruguay, Brazil met with a stop it as Netherlands had stage more important than a return knew that they were ready to disarm already claimed their scalp in the to style. With the sleek fluid Spaniards. quarter-final. And as Brazil proving a flop appointment, a return And so in the final, Spain were tactical mas- watched Spain walk to the podi- to the already tried and tested Luis met with a tactical masterpiece. For um to pick up their 2012 European Filipe Scolari and Carlos Alberto once, they met a team that dominat- terpiece. For champions golden crown, the pain Parreira wouldChile perhaps provide the ed them physically and mentally,Mexico Peru Uruguay became unbearable with the world shortcut to achieving their short never allowing them time to think once, they media purring over this current term objective.(CHI) They were the last or settle. They were punished(MEX) for (PER) (URU) Spanish team as perhaps the best two coaches to win the world cup in every lapse and even reminded of national team of all time. Wasn’t it 2002 and 1994. Their brief was clear the importance of Xabi Alonso. met a team the same world media that had said - win the 2013 FIFA They had the possession as always, many times before that the world Confederations Cup, restore confi- but not the game. Brazil’s best play- that domi- might never see anything like the dence and regenerate hope to a ers at the tournament Neymar and Brazil team of the 1970s? How did despondent nation. Revive the Fred, again rose to the big occasion nated them it happen that they had relin- World Cup mood and momentum. and produced three goals in a man- quished their title as the world’s Brazilians were not ready to swap ner that was as impressive as it was physically ‘greatest’ without putting up a fight? places yet with Spain for the official peculiar. Brazil had the home crowd After winning the 2009 FIFA ‘best’ footballing nation in the world behind them, the hunger to drive Confederations Cup in South tag. With winning as the short term them and a record to straighten. As and mental- Africa with Kaka, Robinho, objective, Scolari revamped OFFICIALthe team long as LOGO Spain did not beat Brazil in Fabiano, , , by changing its shape, character and a face-off for a big trophy, the nag- ly.... Lucio, Juan, Maicon and Julio personality. ging doubt about their completeness Caesar, Brazil choked and would always remain. A team that is melted. They even failed to Spain - the most potent roadblock predictable is not as good. Brazil - rise again in the Copa in fulfilling their mission - were pre- who are five time world champions America tournament of 2011 dictable. Free flowing imaginative and now four time FIFA Julio Caeser and David Luiz where they were subdued by football fueled by technique and Confederations Cup champions - Paraguay in the quarters. Lean skill. From Italy, Netherlands to remain the yardstick. Don’t be fooled by the Confederations Cup, Spain is still the team to beat

pain have been winning After the game, averaging 80 games a season. Most Casillas fan, he hadn’t played for for so long on the foot- defiantly said that the team did not of Spain’s players have not had a five months and therefore Vic- ball front, at all levels, it need “a wake-up call” or “a defeat complete summer break since 2011. tor Valdez, though not a favourite was inevitable that one to regain their motivation” and that The effects of hectic club sched- should have started in goal. I am day they would lose. they would be back in Brazil next ules, aligned with the international not saying he would have conceded The senior team has Joyce year to make it four major tourna- calendar, are taking a toll. less. He was more fit. wonS the 2008 and 2012 European ment wins in a row. Spain and Barcelona hinge on All in all I would say that to keep Championships as well as the 2010 Nyakato I agree with him, other than Xavi. We must accept it that he the momentum going Del Bosque World Cup, but Sunday’s defeat by this defeat predicting a downfall, is no longer the same player. He would need to choose players on the Brazil in the Confederations Cup it provided a warning to heed. Del can’t play 80 games every season basis of merit and not past success- final ended their unbeaten run of Bosque has a habit of sticking to anymore and influence them the es. While at it, David Villa, Torres 29 competitive games since their players and maintaining his starting same way. The Euro 2012 should and Arbeloa and probably Alonso last defeat to Switzerland in 2010. eleven even though they are not have been the eye opener for Del may be past it. Younger players like They had not conceded a goal in the team’s power is diminishing, along performing as expected. Bosque, where the maestro had a Isco, Thiago, Illaramendi, Morata, finals. This was the first final that with the country’s top club sides The biggest part of the Spain poor tournament except in the final Inigo Martinez, De Gea, Carva- Iker Casillas lost. Barcelona and Real Madrid who starting eleven is made of Real game. The thing for Del Bosque to jal/Montoya have the quality to It would be futile to suggest the lost to German sides in the Cham- Madrid and Barcelona players who do is either change the team’s for- improve this current Spain squad. loss signals an end to Spain’s domi- pion’s League semi-finals. This for three seasons in a row have mation or groom Thiago Alcantara However, they would have to be nation on world football. However, defeat had the Bayern-Barcelona made Champions League semifi- who plays a similar position. starters at their present clubs to there are signs that this particular defeat template written over it. nals. That means these players are Even though, I am much of a make it into the senior team.

Graphic SOCCER-COPA/ Date 15 / 06 / 11 Story SOCCER-COPA/ Reporter - Size - Research Estudio R. Carrera Artist Estudio R. Carrera Code SPO ® Copyright Reuters 2011. All rights reserved. Internet: http://about.reuters.com/graphics