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Reactions Users sound off on the Club World Championship
Posted: Tuesday January 11, 2000 01:20 AM
We asked CNNSI.com users to give us their comments on the inaugural FIFA Club World Championship. Below is a selection of the responses so far. Manchester United proved that they are a strong-willed team with only one objective, "to Win." Although they lack the futbol skills that most major "futbol" Latin countries have. The question regarding Latin vs European futbol is answered every time a European team plays a Latin team. When Manchester United faced the futbol skills, short passes and constructed tactical plays, they are caught off guard. When confronted with this type of game they lose their heads, and their concentration. Theirs is the airball; they usually kick the ball up to the front and wait for it, with their quick and lethal strikers. They have no futbol. Although there were some instances where Necaxa's players overreacted, Beckham clearly made a malicious tackle that could have cause serious injury. It was not Necaxa who sent Beckham off, it was David Beckham. Beckham is not a liability for United or England. Futbol is a rough sport, although this has happened twice, in both instances England and United have had the talent to confront the situation. Clearly it becomes a liability if it happens in every game he plays in, but I think this is not the case.
Well, the South American football is superior, of course. Look at the European best teams... who are the best players? Rivaldo (Brazilian), Batistuta (Argentinian), Savio (Brazilian), etc, etc, etc... It's easy to win a English or Italian championship, 'cos there's only 3 or 4 really good teams... in Brazil, for example, we have every year 14, 15 or 16 excellents teams. This is the Brazilian football. This is the the best football in the world!
Manchester did the right thing by playing in the cup, because it is a great idea to have a Club World Championship (Although I would like to see more teams in the tournament). I am tired of all the excuses by the Man U fans and players (too hot, the sun's in my face, Beckham's card was unfair, etc.). The truth is Manchester is not playing at the level they were when they won the big three (even then they needed a miracle to beat Bayern). Many of your readers believe they are the best team in the world and no one comes even close because they are either Man U fans, or have been reading your "Top Ten", which obviously has a bias towards Manchester. They are still #1 in this ranking even with teams like Lazio clearly playing better football. Last but not least lets remember than although they can't afford the biggest name, Latin American clubs still have young talent,and Edmundo and Ronaldo are more talented than any player on the Man U squad.
Manchester United is a very good team, good players and good coach. I am Haitian-American and pretty satisfied with the team accomplishments this past few months. Manchester United ran into Vasco another good Team and Lost. We are so self centered and do not expect Manchester United can Lose. Yes, They can lose, and they have Just like Bayern, Corinthians, River Plate and other good teams can lose. Every time we lose a game, we tend to believe that we are invincible. No good. It is no one fault. Manchester is a great team; so are VASCO, ARSENAL etc.....
Firstly let me say that Man United, as current UEFA champions have proven that they have the correct temperament to be World Club Cup champions. Nexaca, on the other hand, should be awarded Oscars for the brilliant performance they gave. Beckham's red card was unduly harsh (perhaps the Ref's being Argentinian had something to do with it.) Beckham has proven that he is a professional and has more than made up for his World Cup humiliation. United were playing a match weighted against them, as evidenced by the lack of cards issued to Nexaca for play acting. Nexaca obtained their goal from a free kick awarded for a blatant dive. Any team, no matter how good will be demoralized when the loss (or draw, in this case) was as a result of the ref's unfairness. To lose a key midfield player and still manage to salvage a draw is a testament to United's resilience. Gary Neville's two errors were unforgivable, but surely everyone has a bad day from time to time. Becham's presence was sorely missed, and would have made a tremendous difference to team morale. His understanding of the game and the ability to create opportunities, would have been decisive in helping United to at least salvage a draw, if not a win against Vasco. Had this championship been played in Europe, the world would have been asking if it was fair to expect the South Americans to play well after moving from a tropical summer to a harsh European winter. The timing and location of the championship will always be a major factor in who will win the cup, and will not be decided by whether the Latin American or European soccer is better.
I think it's difficult to argue that Latin American teams are superior to the European champions -- after all, United recently beat Palmeiras (the Latin American champions) on a neutral ground. Vasco beat United fair and square in a one-off game, but the Red Devils have demonstrated their talent time and time again over the last few seasons.
Man United thought they were going to have a walk in the park when facing Necaxa and Necaxa was going to play in fear knowing they were facing the Europe champs. That did not happen mainly because Necaxa proved why they are competing in Brazil.
The red cards to Beckham and Mr. Ferguson are in my opinion well deserved because they created that situation.
They are proving they are not the best team in the world. At least not in this continent.
Beckham have shown again and again that he is both talented and reckless. How does one explain the kung fu attack against the Necaxa player. He is simply reckless and should be told as much. But then that is not reason enough to say that he has become a liability to his team and England. I think what he needs the most is a mentor of some sort who can help him overcome some of the pressure of top flight football. Alex Ferguson does not do him any good by always being the one to run to his side each time he is involved in one of his reckless acts.
But on the whole, I think that coming to Brazil was a good decision and they should be supported for sacrificing the FA cup for it. Their crash does not in any way make them a mean team. I believe that they are still a great team and should be seen that way by every Analyst worth his salt.
Manchester got spanked and it was beautiful to see the Brits pale selves struggling in Rio. The best game will be Vasco vs Necaxa tomorrow. I´ll be in the audience cheering... despite what the press might lead you to believe, people are watching these games, especially in Rio and São Paulo.
Sorry to say, but Manchester United came into this tournament lacking the discipline they show in tournaments which are *much* more important to them such as the Premier League and The Champions League. There is no tradition involved in this FIFA Championship. The title would have meant little more to them than did their World Club Cup win over the *true* South American Champions, Palmeiras. Furthermore, the Brazilian Clubs should be ashamed of themselves for manipulating their rosters just so Romario could play in the tournament, and for having convicted felons take part.
I think there is a lot of bias in CNNSI. The Brazilian clubs won a lot of times the Toyota Cup. The Manchester United is the only British team that won it. And just one time. You think that because Brazil is a third-world country, the Brazilian clubs are weak and poor. It's wrong. The Brazilians are stronger than the English. We won FOUR World Cups (and the majority of the players play in Brazil), and clubs like Flamengo, São Paulo, Santos (team of Pelé) and Grêmio beat the Europeans in the Toyota Cup. São Paulo (who have the biggest private stadium in the world) become two consecutive times World Champions. You are over-rating the English football. Think! they won just one time the World Cup and one time the Toyota cup. Now look at Brazil's side. We won 4 times the world cup and SIX times the Toyota Cup. Now, tell me: who is stronger? Brazilian clubs and football or the English?
I think that Man U still is the greatest team of the world, the FIFA made a great mistake by commanding them to go to Brazil, after all, they had to let go of the FA cup, which is the most important thing in England, maybe more important then the championship. The >worldcup for teams isn't important because: 1- it's in Brazil, so how do you think there's gonna be much attention
This Cup is really another great chance to see the best schools of soccer (futbol) in a relative fair confront (One game is too little ), and also to see how soccer develops in others regions like ASIA, AFRICA etc. But it will show once again that Latin are really great players and great teams... Do a little math... count how many South American Teams have won the CL ( match!) and how many European teams have won it... You might be surprise... About the heat and others "outside factor"... Come on these are athetes and young men... they should be able to stand the heat Vasco was much better in the game if the side referee didn't save the MU... MU defenxe was playing in LINE!!! I still can't believe that... Just want to and me thing about Brasil losing the France98 WC... well if you like math here is another one for you, check out how defending champions have done in WC... the reason is very simple they don't fight in the qualifying round... Brasil hadn't much of a team you might say, only individuals stars... but of course we didn't had to play to get in the Finals... Lets watch and see how France ( that limited team ) does in the next WC and then... You will realised that Brasil is just a great team...
It is not a question of Latin American teams being better or anything like that. At the game Vasco was just better for 90 minutes, that gave them the victory and show that Brazilian teams are still competitive in the international arena. Real Madrid is still in the fight, and the Mexicans are proving to be great... so lets way and see who wins the championship...
Let's get things straight. I'm not trying to make excuses but there are a few things that need to be taken into consideration. This tournament is played in January right smack bang in the middle of the Premiership season. Even the BRAZILIANS don't play in their league at this time of the year because it's too hot and they expect a team made up of mainly English and northern Europeans to be able to play at the tempo and exciting displays that got them the treble last year -- I think not. Personally I would of rather of them play in the FA Cup the OLDEST KNOCK-OUT competition in the WORLD, but no, we decide to play in this mickey-mouse tournament which the only reason we did, was to get the government off our backs because of the World Cup bid. But I have no quibbles, Vasco were the better team on the day and deserved their victory, I just wonder what the match would of been if it would of been played in England? But it wasn't, we're out of this tournament and the FA Cup so the only losers are Man U.
Vasco da Gama's win shouldn't be so surprising... They were after all playing on home turf! All the conditions were in their favor, the crowd etc.
You can't make any judgements on who's the better team in this 'Mickey Mouse' tournament. ManU would have walked this tournament if it would have been played in England. This tournament won't be really meaningful until FIFA gets its act together and makes it a true CWC not the "CWC with the teams we want because it suits our politic agenda"!!
I think that the CWC is a superb idea that should have been instituted many years ago. Pitting the best clubs in the world together makes sense. Anyone calling themselves "world champions" must be able to beat all the top teams in the world, not just teams from their own continent, or win that farce of a game in Japan. Similar to the inaugural World Cup and the inaugural European Champions Cup, the initial reaction to the CWC has been somewhat mild. Remember, the arrogant British were not prepared to participate in the early world and European events. Now, many years later, it seems that nothing has changed!!! I therefore applaud Manchester United on taking part in this historic tournament, despite the narrow-minded and short-sighted views from back home. I predict that, with the correct marketing and television buy-in, the CWC will become the premier club event in world football. Certain issues such as timing, venue and club selection will still evolve and need greater debate.
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