World Cup football lessons

By Devon Dick

Unexpected results such as former champions Spain, Italy and England not making it to the second round. This 2014 edition of the greatest sporting competition in the world, the World Cup, has many significant lessons from which we can learn.

Spain, the defending champions, have created history in being the first to relinquish the crown after two matches at the group stage. In addition, England have failed to get out of the group stage after two consecutive defeats. Spain and England have the richest, the most popular, and, perhaps, the best football leagues. So their early exits show that money and other resources are not all. Money cannot fix every problem and deliver victory.

Costa Rica have advanced to the second round, although the country's population is small and its resources cannot compare to Spain's or England's. Costa Rica demonstrated that chemistry among the players, determination to succeed, heart to give the best, and relevant preparation can overcome lack of financial resources.

HOLES IN ANALYSIS

CVM TV's use of the telestrator is excellent. However, sometimes analysts can become simplistic. They will make predictions about scorelines without any basis in data. It is not based on the number of goals a team normally scores in a World Cup game and the most recent score between the teams. After a while, the analyst gave up on this arbitrary prediction. Fortunately, most people forget the mistakes of the analysts and their misreading of the games. At half-time in the game between Spain and The Netherlands, Ambassador Stewart Stephenson said Spain was playing like an orchestra, only to see Spain allow five goals to be scored against them.

Some analysts are too harsh on referees, not understanding that referees have to make decisions in a second. What should be done is to allow every team two challenges such as what is done in cricket and tennis. Therefore, penalties and off-sides calls can be challenged to two maximum unsuccessful challenges. During challenges, there can be advertisements and water breaks. FIFA has introduced goal-line technology; the next thing is to allow two maximum unsuccessful challenges per team.

It is heartening to see the CONCACAF teams doing well, with two - Costa Rica and Mexico - out of four teams already through to the last 16 . Hopefully, the United States will make it. A sad reflection on the World Cup is to see that Japan have advanced since Jamaica beat them 2-1 in the France 1998 finals and we have not returned to the World Cup.

MOST POTENT STRIKE FORCE

I have supported Argentina since 1986, when Diego Maradona and his players won the World Cup. Argentina has the most potent strike force on paper with Lionel Messi, Sergio Aguero and Gonzalo Higuain. Messi is arguably the best player in the world; Ageuro had the best strike rate for English Premier League champions Manchester City, and Higuain is not far behind. In addition, Argentina has Angel di Maria from European Champions Real Madrid, Javier Mascherano of FC Barcelona, and a capable goalkeeper who had good saves against Iran.

Nevertheless, The Netherlands are the most impressive so far, with the strike force of Arjen Robben and Robin van Persie, whose header is the goal of the tournament. Netherlands were second to Spain in South Africa four years ago. In 1978, Netherlands were second to Argentina, when the World Cup was in Argentina. They look the only European side that can win the Cup.

I would not be unhappy if Brazil won because they have an excellent coach in Luiz Felipe Scolari, and Neymar da Silva Santos Júnior is playing with confidence and composure. In addition, after all the bad-mouthing about stadia and playing fields not being ready - which were proven incorrect - and the US$14 billion to host the events of the most exciting tournament in decades, it would be a nice fairy-tale ending.

Rev Devon Dick is pastor of the Boulevard Baptist Church in St Andrew. He is author of 'The Cross and the Machete', and 'Rebellion to Riot'. Send feedback to columns@ gleanerjm.com.