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.
2 comments:
Nice article Pande!! :D
Oly thing abt formation is , its a fluid formation!! the initial lineup is jus a mask for countries like ermany and the dutch! Its ore or less like arsenal... where we start as 4-3-3 ...then switch to 4-5-1 - 4-2-3-1 .... then the famaous diamond!! and it boils down to the players abilities also... more fluid the players are more fulid the formation becomes!! As u righly pointed out heinze for argentina makes defence cutting runs !!
This is what england lack!! and with their stupid antuics.thy will nevr be able 2 do tht!!
i disagree mate..i believe you can win with any formation as long as you play as a team..as soon as you have few "superstars*" in the team its going to fail :(.
*superstars:good players who are over-hyped and media makes everyone to believe they are great players.
England me aise bahut stars hain :P isliye hari..
and italy and france were not good enough.koi bhi formation khelte woh log haarte hi the..
German clubs spend way more than english clubs on youth teams..thats why the produces batches of good players..not like a single batch (scholes,butt,beckham,neville) i can't remember even a single english youth player playing for a top club regularly..either they are loaned out or sold to smaller clubs to gain "valuable" experience.
P.S: really loved the goal.com article..
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