Uruguay: Old wine in new bottle

I was quite young then. But I remember watching Uruguayan football team in 1982 at Calcutta. They had come for the inaugural Nehru Cup. I can even recollect the glimpses of Enzo Francescoli, the defiant, irrepresible attacking midfielder. For me and till now, he remained the only passport to Uruguayan football. Much later at the 1986 World Cup, Francescoli had popped up again. I think Denmark had humilated Uruguay 6-1. He had scored the only goal. Like most of us who admire Latin American football, were left in a state of shock. What had happened to Uruguay? We wondered. I guess, that was one of their most disppointing defeats in World Cup. Soon we started losing track of Uruguay.

Uruguay didn't create much ripples in 1990 World Cup as well. Slowly and slowly their famed supremacy took a tumbling. Considered one of the pioneers of Latin American football and the two times World Cup winner, Uruguay never again captured the imagination until this time at South Africa. Their re-appearance at the world stage was as surprising as their disappearance. This time the blue shirts came with an attitude and aggression which even the Dutch and German teams surely would have appreciated by now.

While the more experienced Brazil and Argentina still continue to baffle many football writers with their none-too-impressive outings, Uruguay became the only team from South America to make it to the last four. It has been a remarkable transformation. They seemed unlucky to go down against Holland in the semis. And even more unfortunate to miss out the third place spot. In the play-off, Germany had a harrowing time against the fluent, artistic and speedy game of Uruguay. While Messi appeared clueless and struggled to find the target throughout for Argentina, Diego Forlan simply showed why he is the world's top strikers. His five goal feat speak a lot about his striking ability. At 31, Forlan, is unlikely to play at a third World Cup finals, but even then he left an indelible class as an excellent poacher. The Atletico Madrid star almost forced extra-time against the Germans as his freekick rattled the crossbar in the final action of normal time.

Still we go ga ga over Messi, Kaka Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo. Forlan gave us what every football lover wanted. Breathtaking goals, amazing ball-control, great turn and clinical finish. Why wouldn't we talk about this blond-haired front man. His goal-scoring spree in South Africa provided yet more proof that his finishing prowess remains undiminished.

For Uruguay, however, this is the beginning of a new cycle, Uruguay is where it should be. They demonstrated that all the hard work got its just desserts. Much credit goes to their coach Oscar Tabarez. While the entire world was busy with what Dunga or Maradona did, Tabarez was happy with his low profile persona. It's their best finish in 40 years and he can take full credit after having revived Uruguay's fortune in world football.

Tabarez is one of the more thoughtful coaches. He doesn't have the stubborness of Dunga or any shades of the passionate Diego (Maradona). Yet, he is a man of firm convictions and clear ideas when it comes to footballing brain. Since 2006 he got down to serious business in re-arranging his country's football system. He completely overhauled the national set-up. Helped Uruguay finish fourth place at the 2007 Copa America and masterminded their qualification for World Cup this year. He has also revitalised the country’s youth football. In 2009, along with Brazil, Uruguay were the only side to qualify for both the FIFA U-17 and U-20 World Cups.
No wonder Tabarez remained the most successful Latin American coach in this year's World Cup.

It's time to take note of Bundesliga

All this while I have been discussing with my friends about this German side. I never, ever said about an Argentine win. Both these teams were my pre-tournament favourites. I admire Diego Maradona. But then being passionate is one thing and translating that passion into performance on the ground is a different ball game. For all of those who had been cheering on for Argentina had never spared a thought for this German side who almost imperceptibly developed soccer's holy-grail blend of youth and experience.

We all talked about Messi. Tevez. Higuan. But did we ever analyse this German team which is full of extraordinary talent and exuberance? The Germans play a team game. Its more authoritative unlike that of Argentina being too much Messi-centric. Bastian Schweinsteiger, Mesut Ozil, Thomas Mueller, Sami Khedira, Podolosky, Klose were bundles of fizzing energy. The impeccable passing sense, excellent ball control manned by an intelligent and workaholic midfield tore apart Diego's Argentina.
Surprisingly, the media never talked or wrote either about German players or their master Joachim Loew who now deserves huge credit for giving the youngsters their head. But the 50-year-old also kept faith with some old hands when all around him were questioning his wisdom.

In fact, the entire world media ran after Kaka, Cristiano Ronaldo, Messi, Rooney before and during the World Cup. But we never came across a profile on Schweinsteiger. He is the link between young and old, defence and attack. Still only 25 he half-belongs in the youthful vigour camp but with 79 caps already he is also one of the wise old heads of the squad. He has matured into Germany's focal point. Can you forget that wicked freekick which found Mueller for the opening goal?
He dominated the centre circle and outshone everyone. Spreading passes long and short, prompting his team mates into space then overlapping and joining the attack when he saw a gap, it was a midfield masterclass that Michael Ballack could surely only marvel at.

Last but never the least, why can't we talk, write and follow these German players and the Bundesliga. Why only we have to watch a market-driven English League dominated by glamour and hype? The class, the essence of being a champion is determined by the dint of performance on a bigger stage like World Cup, isn't it?