Of Clashes and Breakdown (the almost there verdict, FIFA 2014)

The 2014 Brazil World Cup edition is the mixture of euphoria and heartbreaks. From the opening ceremony with carnival dances of the Native Americans to the graceful Samba dance of Brazil to the Pit-bull ft. J.Lo official theme “Ole Ole Ola (We’re One)”, football crazies all over the world were left glued to Television on 13^th June. In Bhutan, the opening ceremony was live telecast on Indian Sony SIX channel at 11 P.M.  From 2 AM Brazil-Croatia fixture to this morning’s 2^nd semifinal games, billions of fans around the world were left with never ending euphoria, passion and support for their teams, most spending sleepless night watching matches that dragged on to the wee hours of morning: yet, now only two best teams on globe; Germany and Argentina will battle on Sunday for the most coveted title of 2014 football championship, perhaps making history for their own country.

 The month long games in different cities of Brazil has left fans rejoicing, disheartened or some fans were left shadowed as their team succumbed to unexpected exits and defeats such as Portugal, Spain, England, Italy in their initial matches. The recently ousted Brazil thrashed 7-1 by Germany in semifinals left the football fans shocked. The only consolation Brazil fans had is that the star player and everyone’s favorite Neymar Jr. could not play due to injury and that Brazil was pitted against one of the strongest teams. Still there’s more to remember, to cherish and to look out for, than wins, defeats and exits.

Cristiano Ronaldo changed his hairstyle twice in first two games yet it was Portugal’s 4-0 loss to Germany that caught the world’s attention. (Oops! Sorry Cristo, your grooming was in vain!)

The previous champions Spain have had a good lesson taught by Netherlands that Counter attack > tiki taka.

The hyped England’s “Golden generation” could only score two goals in three games of the group stages as they exited the tournament after their 2^nd loss against Uruguay. The best performer of the three lions at the world cup was the 19 year old teenager Raheem Sterling of Liverpool FC. (Not so golden.)

Then there is Messi, on the fore front of Argentinean team, gliding unceasingly through rock strewed defenders-unshaken, ball on his feet and making mazy runs to score and set up his teammates. This guy really deserves his captain’s armband and all the plaudits he earned. (He is the one to watch for in the final on Sunday.)

Young James Rodriguez rose to the stardom as he netted 6 beautiful goals in just 5 games for Columbia.

For the first time in football, there was a short break called “cooling break” lasting only 3 minutes in the second half.

Who can forget Luis Suarez? The Dr. Jykell and Mr. Hyde, the hero and the villain. He single handedly won a game against England, scored twice and then in a next game, he bit Italy’s Chiellini and FIFA banned him from all football related activities for 4 months (Even from entering the stadium. ha-ha). This is his 3^rd bite in 4 years. No worries, Suarez will emerge again, stronger and, we hope, a little less savage and long will be forgotten the “The Cannibal of Uruguay."

Miroslav Klose’s brace against Brazil set a new world record of highest world Cup goal scorers -16; breaking previous holder, Brazilian Ronaldo’s record of 14 goals, on the same night German broke Brazilian hearts by thrashing 7-1. (Double impact.)

The introduction of goal line technology was a success but was effectively used only twice so far.

32 nations took part in this world cup, Spain remained a strong odds to reach the final, ironically, Spain was the first team to be eliminated and head home from the tournament (sorry to those who betted on them.  All lost.)

Holland’s Robin Van Persie was called “the flying Dutchman” and he did prove it to the whole world by scoring a wonder head goal, that by flying in the air and landing on his face (no serious injury though.)

And worst of all worst scenes, Brazil’s superstar Neymar was carried off the pitch by medical teams after dislocating a vertebrae in the spinal back cord by harsh challenge from a Columbian defender. Luckily he wasn’t paralyzed but would be sidelined for more than two months.

There are more highs and lows from this world cup but everyone is looking forward to Sunday, a final that will decide the world soccer winner, and event to conclude the much waited, enthralling 2014 world cup before it becomes a history. This is the moment where winner takes prides and loser’s hearts break. This is a battle to be decided within 90^th minutes, on the turf, surrounded by thousands of fans withstanding the summer heat. All for the love of game and my game is fair play, for the players and above all for two best teams, we are anxiously waiting for Sunday, the 13^th June to come on and keeping our fingers crossed. May the best team win!