The Ifs and Buts Sports Barbershop

By Mjlover23

My first hands on experience with Brazil soccer came in the form of “Fifa International Soccer” by EA sports for the Sega Genesis. Back then they didn’t have any names, just the numbers. So I had to look up who was who, and try to get the ball to that number to give me the best chance to score. As time went on, I upgraded to a Playstation one right around 98’ (just in time for the 98’ World Cup). Sometime after the PS2 came out, I moved to playing the Madden franchise and Fifa Soccer became just a memory. Even with that transition, I still followed Brazil from their 94’ Win of Italy.

Anybody that follows World Cup soccer already knows the proud history of the Brazilian National Football team. Their most famous team member to date is still Pele’. Before having a number of injuries and being “head hunted” in the 62’ and 66’ World Cup Tournaments, he had already cemented himself as the most popular soccer player of his time. I would venture to say he was one of the best of all time after I found out he scored over 1,000 goals in his professional soccer career! With a career spanning from 56’ to 77’, I’d say he has to be in the top 3!

With this world icon retiring from the National Team in 73’ or 74’, the following years in World Cup competition would be disappointing to say the least. Through five World Cup Tournaments, Brazil was bitten by misfortune on way or another. With rumors of a Peru team being bribed by Argentineans supporters in the 2^nd round of the 78’ World Cup to throw the game so that Argentina would advance to the final game by goal differential, to a missed penalty kick in 86’, to an upset loss in the 2^nd round vs an undermanned Argentinean team led by Maradona .

Right around the time I picked them up as a surrogate team (for when the USA was mathematically eliminated), Brazil made a strong run through the knockout stage to defeat Italy in penalty kicks for a record (at the time) 4^th World Cup title. In 98’, Brazil made another strong run to the Title game, but was smashed by the host team France 3-0. It was reported after the game the One of the young superstars Ronaldo, had an epileptic seizure a few hours before the match. Yet he was still inserted into the starting lineup! Needless to say he had a poor performance, but only after they were back home was the news of the seizure released. The “Three R’s” took over in 02’. Ronaldo, Rivaldo, and Ronaldinho! Brazil would face Germany in the final, who they had only met once before back in 74’. Germany did not have near the firepower of Brazil, but they had the best goalkeeper in Oliver Khan who shutout: Paraguay, USA, and Korea in route to the finals. However, Khan was no match for the onslaught of the Three Rs! Ronaldo, who had scored in every match in the tourney, scored 2 to clinch Brazil’s 5^th World Cup victory. The 06’ team was loaded with veteran and young superstars, but severely underachieved working in what was called “The Magic Square”. This formation was implemented by Brazil coach Parreira, and was highly scrutinized throughout the tournament. In the Quarter –finals, they only managed ONE SHOT on goal with the new formation and lost on a free kick to Thierry Henry in the 57^th minute.

This leads us to this year’s world cup. Brazil has drawn what is known as the “Group of Death”! Their first match will be against Korea DPR, then Cote d’lvoire (Ivory Coast), and the last game match vs the dark horse to win it all Portugal. Even though this is a tough draw, I think that the skill and craftiness of Kaka, Robinho, Fabiano, and Juan. Julio Cesar has been a rock in goalie for Brazil this year, and he claims to be ready for everything. My only issue is… NO RONALDINHO OR RONALDO!!! Evidently, they will be missed. Yet I still think Brazil has enough to go all the way.

Twitter @Mjlover23