Change is the order of day

And in the world of football, it is all the more visible in the ongoing FIFA world cup 2010.
These are the four key changes that I have observed in the run up so far (just for the records, I am writing this on the third day of the knock-outs, in other words, round of 16). So ring out the old, ring in the new in the following:

1> Formation:

4-4-2 is a thing of the past. England, with their "traditional" 4-4-2 formation being criticised by none other than their own players, were ousted by the attacking Germany very early in the tournament. So did the US. They couldn't find innovation with their traditional formation against a resolute Ghana.
When you see the pre match show of any match you are likely to see a attacking 4-3-3 (with central mid in a defensive role and the striker ahead of the two support strikers, and the full backs providing extra support down the wings) more than any other formation. Other popular and successful formations in this world cup have been the diamond shaped midfield 4-1-2-1-2 (e.g. what Brazil deployed today against Chile, with Kaka in the CAM - in the hole behind the two strikers role) and the 4-5-1 (what Spain had used in Euro 2008, and no wonder they won Euro 2008 with this formation, they have the best midfield in the world!)

2> Mentality:

Countries known for their attacking prowess have taken the center stage. Earlier all hell had broken loose for the worshipers of the beautiful game in 2002 World cup & 2004 Euro (and also during Mourinho's Chelsea in club football) when Korea and then Greece showed that one can reach a long way in the competition by scoring one goal and then defending the slender lead with their lives. No longer the case in this competition. We have seen all the underdogs like Korea, US, Ghana or teams that couldn't supposedly score against their bigger opposition go ahead and equalise if not win after going 1 down.
France lost out when they tried a defensive 4-2-3-1 (two holding midfielders with only one striker up front).
On the other hand, offensive Argentina (Gabriel Heinze is a defender! yet he scored a header and makes defense splitting runs) and Germany registered handsome 4-1 and 4-0 wins even in their group stages.

3> Age:

Young Germany, Brazil and other teams with young players took the competition by storm. Compare and contrast it to the earlier year successes of France and Italy with their "experienced players". Argentina with veterans Martin Palermo (36) and Diego Milito (31) in their squad is no longer afraid to give Gonzalo Higuain (22) a start over the two. Make no mistakes, Milito was pivotal in getting Inter Milan the treble this year including the Champion's League for the first time in 45 years, scoring both the goals in their final against Bayern Munich among his 22 in all. Germany's leading stars are Thomas Mueller (20) and Mesut Oezil (21). And boy have the youngsters delivered! Higuain is currently tied for top scorer with 4 already in his kitty, having bagged the only hat trick of this world cup so far.

4> A new world order:

Both the finalists of 2006 world cup France and Italy were knocked out from their group in the very first round. Underdogs Russia and Turkey reached as long as semi finals of 2008 Euro. As football becomes more and more global, and top leagues hire more and more players from around the globe, the teams representing nations become more and more equal. Now when a Ghana faces a US in the round of 16 or when a Serbia faces Germany in the group stages, there is no fear in the supposedly smaller country's players' heads. Watch any two teams facing each other and chances are that you'll find at least a couple of opposing countries' players in the same club, let alone in the same league.

As Ghana becomes only the 3rd African nation in the quarter finals of a world cup, it will be for the first time in the history for the winner of Japan vs Paraguay to reach the quarter final stage.

Waiting for more drama and more history in the biggest event on earth!
Hoping that with these positive changes, FIFA also considers introducing technology soon.

Public Service message

1> A "commoner" patient is shifted out of a hospital's ICU to a barely livable room to accomodate a "referred" patient by a high post official.
2> All, I repeat, ALL tourists of Panchmarhi in MP are ordered to stay inside their rooms and absolutely no vehicles are allowed for 2 days because Mr. Advani is visiting.
3> No civilian is allowed to use the "Civilian Aviation transport" or the helicopter service from Tawang to Guwahati on 3rd June 2010 in spite of applying to the Deputy Commissioner and getting the list approved by him 5 days prior to the journey. Because on the morning of 3rd suddenly 12 relatives of the Chief Justice, the Chief Minister and an MLA decide to use the service.

What is the common irony behind the three incidences? All of the "VIPs" were elected by "commoners" to serve the "civilians"