Here is my World Cup team assessment
A+
Italy - The best defensive side of the tournament. The second best passing side of the tournament. The side with the maximum goal scorers. The side which knew how to win. Buffon was the man to beat in goal and Cannavaro for my money was the Most Valuable Player of the World Cup. This was a top show by a top outfit.
A
France - Irrespective of whether they make it to the final and win it, France's was the most compelling story of the World Cup. CNNSI's Bechtel lamented the absence of a Cinderella story in this World Cup. For me France was the Cinderella. They started the tournament with two draws, a quarrel on the pitch between Gallas, Makalele and Zidane and a tiff off field between Domenech and Zidane. But then they turned it on beating impressive Spain and fancied Brazilians.
Portugal - Call them divers, cheaters or whatever you may want to. But they know how to grind out results. Possibly the most efficient side on display (along with Italy). Turn up, do the job and go home. If only Ronaldo could pass more and dive less.
A-
Argentina - If the World Cup was won by beauty of play and team work, then Argentina had walked away with it. They were the strongest side on display. Nobody beat them. They were unlucky as well running into strong sides at each step of the way. And most importantly a single coaching mistake cost them more than it did anyother side in the World Cup. Its small consolation that FIFA rated the top two goals of the World Cup and two others in the top 10 as been scored by them. Messi, Tevez, Rodriquez, Mascherano will only get stronger and tougher next time around. By the way thanks for the Football Clinic.
Germany - This was supposed to be a classless German side. Not expected to do well. But boy did they play. They get an A- because despite all the attacking soccer and the semi final they still didn't beat an established power. Poland, Costa Rica, Ecuador and Sweden don't count as powers. They drew Argentina and lost to Italy. Maybe this was the precursor to a world beating side in '10.
B+
Spain - Fluid display of short passes. Ability to turn it on (okay it was against Tunisia and Ukraine). They dominated play against the French. If only they knew how to win. Again watch out for a Raul less Spain in '10 and boy wouldn't they be a side to beat then.
Netherlands - Scored thrice, conceded twice....in the world Cup (their quarter final encounter against Brazil had this scoreline in '94). Doesn't sound very dutch, does it? Young outfit, great future if only they can get Guus Hindink back. Watch out for Dirk Kuyt. Again a side for '10.
Switzerland - It took an Italian score to against Italy, but not even the Swiss could score against Switzerland. On purely aesthetic grounds you might want to bar them from the World Cup. But then you got to give them points for getting the job done, however ugly it might have been. In Euro '08, at home they will definitely be more of challenge.
B
Brazil - Enough written about them. Football is more than putting 11 superstars on the pitch.
England - Oh God, they were supposed to have a central defensive pairing stronger than Italy's. Their mid field was supposed to be the most talented. And then they had Rooney to crown it all. After Brazil they were supposed to be favorites. But playing at the World Cup proved to be a struggle. You might blame the coach, but hey nobody forced Erikson on them.
Ukraine - The most over performing side of the world cup. Not scared to score, not scared to concede either. A quarter final was just rewards for their ability and pedigree.
Australia - Now if it were another game played by 11 players with a ball on a pitch invented by the british they might have won the World Cup. Say what you will, the Australians know how to play hard. They might feel hard done against Italy, but then the force was with the Italians. Good show.
Ivory Coast - For a side which exited in the first round, you might say this is too much of a good grade. But boy in any other group (like the one with France or Spain) they would have gone far. But don't worry cote d'Ivoire you did yourself no shame.
Ghana - A little bit of luck, one less yellow card for Essien and a sharp linesman might have given the World Cup its Cinderella story and Brazil a big shock.
Ecuador - David Beckham undid them. But they did enough to merit a B
Mexico - If there is any other side along with Spain which has made a habit of underperforming it is Mexico. But then again they ran Argentina close and it took the goal of the World Cup to beat them.
B-
Sweden - Now what can I say, if your most pedigreed striker can't hit the target from the penalty spot. Offensively they struggled. Defensively, the Germans took them apart. I think it is back to the drawing board for them.
Czech - If ever there were points for a great start, the Czech would have them all. Against the USA they were the most pleasing side to watch. But when cool heads were needed they had Ulfaulsi and Co. The future will only be brighter. Feel sorry for Poborsky, Koller and above all Nedved. They get points for allowing my favorite "Pippo" Inzaghi to score.
USA - They played with their hearts on their sleeves. The only side to have consistently troubled the Italians, but I thought they didn't have the depth or talent to get past the others in the group.
C+
Poland - If you can't beat Ecuador what good are you.
Paraguay - No Chilavert no fun to watch
Trinidad and Tobago - Good show, but then did we seriously expect them to do anything more than they did.
Serbia and Montenegro - The biggest dissappointment of the World Cup. They might be a better proposition as just Serbia in the Euro '08.
Costa Rica - They get points for two goals against the Germans
Angola - They did well to hold the Mexicans and tie the portuguese up.
Iran - Lets hope their nuclear scientists are as capable as their footballers, for the sake of World peace.
Croatia - They are a bit like South Africa in Cricket, mighty in the 90s but now are just another team.
Japan - Strength required.
Korea - They were unlucky against the Swiss, but then they more than used up all their share of luck for sometime in the World Cup '02.
Togo - Points for celebrations of their only goal.
Saudi - They produced a thrilling encounter against Tunisia in their all Arab showdown. Sami Al Jaber has now scored in three World Cups. In their Persian Gulf rivalry with Iran they just might have shaded it.
Tunisia - Hannibal obviously doesn't play soccer. But then Riaddi and Jaziri do and they do well.
A+
Italy - The best defensive side of the tournament. The second best passing side of the tournament. The side with the maximum goal scorers. The side which knew how to win. Buffon was the man to beat in goal and Cannavaro for my money was the Most Valuable Player of the World Cup. This was a top show by a top outfit.
A
France - Irrespective of whether they make it to the final and win it, France's was the most compelling story of the World Cup. CNNSI's Bechtel lamented the absence of a Cinderella story in this World Cup. For me France was the Cinderella. They started the tournament with two draws, a quarrel on the pitch between Gallas, Makalele and Zidane and a tiff off field between Domenech and Zidane. But then they turned it on beating impressive Spain and fancied Brazilians.
Portugal - Call them divers, cheaters or whatever you may want to. But they know how to grind out results. Possibly the most efficient side on display (along with Italy). Turn up, do the job and go home. If only Ronaldo could pass more and dive less.
A-
Argentina - If the World Cup was won by beauty of play and team work, then Argentina had walked away with it. They were the strongest side on display. Nobody beat them. They were unlucky as well running into strong sides at each step of the way. And most importantly a single coaching mistake cost them more than it did anyother side in the World Cup. Its small consolation that FIFA rated the top two goals of the World Cup and two others in the top 10 as been scored by them. Messi, Tevez, Rodriquez, Mascherano will only get stronger and tougher next time around. By the way thanks for the Football Clinic.
Germany - This was supposed to be a classless German side. Not expected to do well. But boy did they play. They get an A- because despite all the attacking soccer and the semi final they still didn't beat an established power. Poland, Costa Rica, Ecuador and Sweden don't count as powers. They drew Argentina and lost to Italy. Maybe this was the precursor to a world beating side in '10.
B+
Spain - Fluid display of short passes. Ability to turn it on (okay it was against Tunisia and Ukraine). They dominated play against the French. If only they knew how to win. Again watch out for a Raul less Spain in '10 and boy wouldn't they be a side to beat then.
Netherlands - Scored thrice, conceded twice....in the world Cup (their quarter final encounter against Brazil had this scoreline in '94). Doesn't sound very dutch, does it? Young outfit, great future if only they can get Guus Hindink back. Watch out for Dirk Kuyt. Again a side for '10.
Switzerland - It took an Italian score to against Italy, but not even the Swiss could score against Switzerland. On purely aesthetic grounds you might want to bar them from the World Cup. But then you got to give them points for getting the job done, however ugly it might have been. In Euro '08, at home they will definitely be more of challenge.
B
Brazil - Enough written about them. Football is more than putting 11 superstars on the pitch.
England - Oh God, they were supposed to have a central defensive pairing stronger than Italy's. Their mid field was supposed to be the most talented. And then they had Rooney to crown it all. After Brazil they were supposed to be favorites. But playing at the World Cup proved to be a struggle. You might blame the coach, but hey nobody forced Erikson on them.
Ukraine - The most over performing side of the world cup. Not scared to score, not scared to concede either. A quarter final was just rewards for their ability and pedigree.
Australia - Now if it were another game played by 11 players with a ball on a pitch invented by the british they might have won the World Cup. Say what you will, the Australians know how to play hard. They might feel hard done against Italy, but then the force was with the Italians. Good show.
Ivory Coast - For a side which exited in the first round, you might say this is too much of a good grade. But boy in any other group (like the one with France or Spain) they would have gone far. But don't worry cote d'Ivoire you did yourself no shame.
Ghana - A little bit of luck, one less yellow card for Essien and a sharp linesman might have given the World Cup its Cinderella story and Brazil a big shock.
Ecuador - David Beckham undid them. But they did enough to merit a B
Mexico - If there is any other side along with Spain which has made a habit of underperforming it is Mexico. But then again they ran Argentina close and it took the goal of the World Cup to beat them.
B-
Sweden - Now what can I say, if your most pedigreed striker can't hit the target from the penalty spot. Offensively they struggled. Defensively, the Germans took them apart. I think it is back to the drawing board for them.
Czech - If ever there were points for a great start, the Czech would have them all. Against the USA they were the most pleasing side to watch. But when cool heads were needed they had Ulfaulsi and Co. The future will only be brighter. Feel sorry for Poborsky, Koller and above all Nedved. They get points for allowing my favorite "Pippo" Inzaghi to score.
USA - They played with their hearts on their sleeves. The only side to have consistently troubled the Italians, but I thought they didn't have the depth or talent to get past the others in the group.
C+
Poland - If you can't beat Ecuador what good are you.
Paraguay - No Chilavert no fun to watch
Trinidad and Tobago - Good show, but then did we seriously expect them to do anything more than they did.
Serbia and Montenegro - The biggest dissappointment of the World Cup. They might be a better proposition as just Serbia in the Euro '08.
Costa Rica - They get points for two goals against the Germans
Angola - They did well to hold the Mexicans and tie the portuguese up.
Iran - Lets hope their nuclear scientists are as capable as their footballers, for the sake of World peace.
Croatia - They are a bit like South Africa in Cricket, mighty in the 90s but now are just another team.
Japan - Strength required.
Korea - They were unlucky against the Swiss, but then they more than used up all their share of luck for sometime in the World Cup '02.
Togo - Points for celebrations of their only goal.
Saudi - They produced a thrilling encounter against Tunisia in their all Arab showdown. Sami Al Jaber has now scored in three World Cups. In their Persian Gulf rivalry with Iran they just might have shaded it.
Tunisia - Hannibal obviously doesn't play soccer. But then Riaddi and Jaziri do and they do well.
posted by Dinkar at 1:18 PM
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