The Carnival

So,the World Cup began an enthralling fashion,with South Africa sharing the spoils with Mexico in the opener.But,somehow most of the games have not really managed to live up to the expectations.There have been just too many of these 0-0 and 1-0 scorelines.So far, only Germany have managed to win in style and with something to spare.

Yes, the opening match was also a draw,but it was full of the "End to end" stuff,and anyone could have got 3 points in that game.Now,compare that to the France-Uruguay match,which didn't even have 5 shots on goal.It was almost boring to watch that game.France just lacked the creativity to beat the "not so great" Uruguayan defence.I think they sorely missed Malouda.The tactics were baffling,who the hell prefers Abou Diaby to in-form Florent Malouda?? France will have to do a lot of hard work to match their last World Cup's heroics.

And then there was this England's draw against USA.Yes,Rob Green made a bad mistake,but lets be honest,how many times did England really threaten Howard's goal?? You can almost remember no such instance.In fact it was US who came closest to winning the tie,with only a combo of Green and the goalpost denying them. Aaron Lennon was lively on the right,but he simply can't deliver any good crosses that England frontmen craved for.Left side was poor,with Capello trying two right-footers in Milner and Wright-Phillips in that slot.Neither was at all effective.And why Peter Crouch is so under-rated by England is a huge puzzle.His goal-scoring record is way better than that of Emile Heskey,and he is also better in the air,but still,for reasons only known to him,Capello has always preferred the aged,and too slow Heskey.

After all those frustrating games,it was refreshing to watch Germany in full flow yesterday.The way they passed the ball,made those runs off-the-ball,and simply bamboozled the Australians was awesome to watch.Although Klose and Podolski got the praise,I fell the young Brigade of Mesut Ozil, Muller,and Badstuber was brilliant.Especially the sublime touches that Ozil showed and the stinging runs he made in the Penalty-area were superb.This is guy is really going to end up at a big Club,sooner rather than later.Thomas Muller exactly showed why he was preferred over Klose and Mario Gomez for Bayern Munich throughout the season.But,one think I didn't like about them was the role Bastian Schwinesteiger played.Yes,he controlled the midfield well,alongside Khedira.But,that role doesn't really do justice to his Sublime skills and Dazzling pace.He did his job with thorough efficiency,yes,but it was rather like a Jon Obi Mikel or Toulalan,rather than a Ronaldo or a Messi.We don't want Schwini to play that unspectacularly,but we want to see him bursting through the defences,unleashing his fierce shots.Only after that,Germans will be The Most feared and Respected Opponents in this World Cup.

Transfer Trivia-II

The World Cup fever is already spreading around the world,with almost everyone having their own favourites.And amidst all the talks of the Brazils and the Spains, Club Football has taken a back-seat. But,I still have a job unfinished here. So,as I promised this is the Transfer Trivia-II ,about the likes of Real Madrid and Liverpool.

Starting with Real,the Spanish giants couldn't have found a better coach than the "Special One" Jose Mourinho.A big name manager hasn't been a thing Madrid has always had.There is no doubt Mourinho is one of the best in the business,but we'll have to see how the fans react to his style of play,remember these are the same fans who forced Fabio Capello to be sacked,even after winning the league,just beacause they found his style of football very "dull".And many aren't aware Real sacked Vicente Del Bosque,te current Spain manager,even after winning the Champions League,just because they didn't find him suitable to be the face of the Brand of Madrid.So, Mourinho has a tough job at his hand.The one thing Real need most is a few quality defenders.Last year,they did sign Raul Albiol and Arbeloa,but they aren't really in the same League as Ronaldo and Kaka,are they?? Now,the rumours suggest Maicon is all set to move to the Bernebau,but I think they need a decent Leftback as well,as Marcelo is simply not good enough for them.If Ashley Cole can't be signed,they may be they should try for Patrice Evra or Yury Zhirkov,although both will be difficult to price away from their clubs.They could also do with a world-class cenre-half to partner Sergio Ramos.If Mourinho can manage to sign Lucio or even Carvalho,it will make a big difference.Madrid have shown they have enough talent in attack,but they mostly falter in the Defensive duties.But,still Mourinho may try to get Diego Millito as an alternative to the "moody" Gonzalo Higuain.Mourinho and his Real will be under immense pressure this year,but I still expect Jose to triumph,he has always delivered the good when put into such demanding situations.

Moving over to Liverpool,they are in a complete contrast situation to Madrid.Having lost a manager,they are in search of a new one,and alternatives are the likes of Roy Hodgeson of Fulham,and Martin O'Neill of Aston Villa ,rather than the Guus Hiddinks and Mourinhos.Liverpool need to stregthen a lot,if tehy are to challenge for the title,but they just don't seem to have the money.In fact,they are struggling to keep their stars,with Gerrard and Torres thinking of leaving the "Sinking Ship".What Liverpool really need is the Fighters,someone like Scott Parker,rather thanThe Aquilanis they are used to sign.Yes,Aquilani may have tons of talent more than Parkers and Barrys,but these people have the fighting spirit ,to go for every ball,to win the tackles,to fight till the last moment,which Liverpool haven't really got at the moment !!! I know they might not really sign many players.But,still they need a strike partner for Torres.Players like David N'Gog and El Zhar are simply not good enough for Liverpool to even try for the Fourth Place.Someone like Roque Santa Cruz or Carlton Cole would do nicely for them.Then someone like Scott Parker sould be signed as well,as he is kind of player who will allow Gerrard to paly in a more advanced Role.They could also do with a better centreback.Liverpool's biggest problem in the League hasn't been the lack of quality,but the Rotation System,hich disrupts their rhythum.Players like Benayoun,if he stays,need to play every game to be more effective tahn sitting on the bench for every other game.I really think Liverpool are going to find it tough to compete against Tottenham and Manchester City for the Fourth Place,just forget the title !!!

We will resume the Club discussions after the World Cup.So,let's now get ready for the World Cup,as Africa prepares to host the Biggest Festival of Football !!!