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Getting defensive at the World Cup Posted: Tuesday June 18, 2002 3:42 PM
Dear Readers, Thank you once again for your questions. I hope you are enjoying the Cup! On to the mailbag... Hi, nice job with the world cup coverage. I have questions for you: Don't you think that today's football is becoming more defensive rather than offensive? So far that is my opinion I've read about the Argentinians complaining about more than 5 players defending in the box. So far this has made the games boring because we don't see star players shining on the field. Please give me your opinion.
Omar, I agree with you that some teams are a bit too defensive, but curiously they are the teams with the most talent. Argentina, France, Portugal, Italy -- they all played largely with just one striker, so how can they complain about others? I have a possible solution for this defensive mindset: give bonus points for goal difference. For example, a team can get five points in one game by winning 2-0 (3 points for the victory plus two for the +2 goal difference). This could be used during league play as well since it would encourage teams to go out and score goals.
I can't help to take this opportunity to state may opinion about some of these unexpected events in the World Cup. As a Portuguese, I'm obviously upset about my team's performance in this tournament. I believe it was due to a problem of attitude and, besides, there were too many mistakes, unacceptable at this level. Nowadays there are no granted victories and, therefore, it doesn't matter if a team ranks 1st, 2nd or 3rd. The game is played on the field, 11 men vs. 11, during 90 minutes. Preparation, Commitment, Consistency and Teamwork are the keywords.
Dear Vera, I totally agree with you. I watched the Portuguese matches at the stadium and I was extremely irritated by their lack of commitment and will-power. Against Korea, they had to win and entered the game with only one striker and playing the ball across midfield. Even when the U.S. was losing to Poland, why not attack and make sure of advancing? A lot of the blame goes on the manager, who was incapable of motivating and organizing the team. Portugal must hope for a foreign manager who does not succumb to political pressures and internal warfare. My best friend, like you, is a native of Portugal. And like you (in your recent column) gave a lot of excuses for Portugal's loss to the US (bad coaching decisions, wrong players, etc.) Now that Portugal also loss to South Korea and was eliminated losing 2 of 3 games, to "questionable teams" no doubt, could it be that Portugal was just overrated like many other teams? (France, Argentina, etc.).
Hi Gary, I did not offer excuses for Portugal's performances; I tried to give reasons for their pathetic performances. I am not taking away any merit from the U.S. and South Korea, who beat Portugal fair and square. And I don't think Portugal was overrated. I just think that their players failed to show what they could do. What do you make of Costa Rica's part in the World Cup? I know we left in the 1st. round but we like to think that we made a good impression in people around the world, can we consider ourselves part of the soccer world?
Well, Ivo, Costa Rica displayed great skills at the World Cup, but they need to work on their finishing. It was ridiculous the amount of chances they missed throughout their three games. You can create all the goalscoring opportunities you want, but if you don't score, you're not going to win. I was impressed by the way they passed and moved off the ball, but please, someone make them practice their shots! I would like to know which of the players are allowed to take the penalty kick, after the extra time play ends up in a draw. Is it necessary to pick up the penalty shoots from the final eleven?
Yes it is, Iqbal. The penalty takers must be on the field when extra time ends. Does Portugal have any plans of bringing the previous coach, Humberto Coelho, back? With Portugal's golden boys not getting any younger, who do you see taking leadership roles for them on the field? Hugo Viana?
There are currently no plans to bring back Coelho, although that would please me. He was quite solid during Euro 2000 and was not afraid to experiment. But I think what Portugal needs is a foreign coach who comes in with a fresh outlook on the team. As far as leadership, Hugo Viana is still too young. I like Petit, who is a true terrier in midfield. World Sport's Pedro Pinto will be reporting regularly from South Korea during the World Cup.
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