Can Dunga fulfill our expectations?

Now it’s official! Carlos Dunga will be the new coach of Brazil. Since I started following the Selecao, I have hardly seen them to reappoint failed cases as for Brazil, a failed World Cup mission is always considered as the biggest failures of all no matter how successful a coach has been before the World Cup. And in that sense, Dunga’s – who failed to fulfill the expectations in 2010 – reappoint as the coach of Brazil is a bit surprising for me.

Dunga was first appointed as Brazil's coach in 2006 and during that time he had no experience about coaching international teams. But despite being least experienced as a coach, Dunga's record had had been brilliant. In total he took charge of 60 matches, winning 42, drawing 12 and losing just 6 matches. But during the World Cup, his team was not clicking the way they should have and against Holland the wheels came out of Dunga’s car and he was sent packing.

Personally, I am not at all happy with this appoint, but rather than getting frustrated and rue over this appoint, we need to be positive.

Yes, Dunga did diminish the Brazilian flair during his tenure as the coach, but he brought enough application in the team. One thing he did and which was, he brushed away Brazil’s dependency over just one player. He made Brazil to play as a unit rather than relying too much on just one star performer. Even without Kaka, Ronaldinho and Lucio, Dunga’s men conquered the Copa America tournament in 2007 by defeating a star studded Argentine side 3-0 in the finals.

During his regime, Brazil had more active flying full-backs who used to cut through the opposition’s flanks with ease. Dunga’s Brazil had a more compact midfield which could earn the ball easily when they used to lose possessions – a thing which was heavily absent in the Brazilian side during this year's World Cup.

Moreover, Dunga was not blessed with enough resources during his previous regime. He didn't have a quality striker to replace Luis Fabiano nor did he have the quality replacements in midfield. With a very limited resource he and his men fared very well. This time around Dunga will be blessed with enough resources and it will be easier for him to organize his team better than before. 

Even though Dunga's picture as a coach had been a pretty defensive one, but his team did play attacking football, though not on a regular basis. Don't forget how Brazil were amazingly offensive against Argentina in the finals of Copa America in 2007 and USA in the finals of Confederations Cup in 2009. And also in some of the international friendlies his team did exhibit fair amount of offensive football.

Carlos Dunga’s Brazil would be more focused on results rather than sheer joy and entertainment. We will not find any ‘Jogo Bonito’ which, I believe, should return to Brazil, but this Brazilian side would be a bunch of disciplined robots whose mission would be to reach the pinnacle of glory by playing the European brand of football. Let the critics shout but Dunga won’t deter from his plans.

Yes, Carlos Dunga will not trigger excitement and CBF is not focused on entertainments, but they are more focused on application, graft and results and of course the World Cup 2018. 

Dunga’s reappointment will not be hugely celebrated. The expectations will be very low and you know what, when the expectations are not sky high, the best of results just come to trigger celebrations. In that sense, Dunga might just be the right man. 

Thank You

Faisal Caesar

Dale Steyn at Galle: A memory to cherish

Mohammad Asif’s heroics:

The last time I witnessed some high quality pace bowling in Sri Lanka was way back in 2006 at Kandy where a tall Pakistani bowler named Mohammad Asif rattled the home batting line-up, not with sheer pace but with some skillful bowling. The Lankans started their second innings with a lead of 109 runs and were sitting pretty at 22 for 0; however, in the twinkling of an eye, the advantage was taken away.

The Sri Lankan batsmen were clueless against Asif’s nagging line, incisive length and lethal cutters. Asif didn’t run in like a Wasim Akram or Waqar Younis to send chills down a batsman’s spine with deceptive pace and late in-swingers, but he outfoxed the batsmen with vicious cutters, like a certain Fazal Mahmodd would do. He loitered around the off-stump, cut and seamed through the opposition batting line-up and thus made Muttiah Muralitharan’s 51st five-wicket haul look less bright.

Sri Lanka were bundled out for just 73 runs, and Pakistan easily chased down the target in their fourth innings to win the series. On a track that was not helpful for the pace bowlers, Asif produced an extraordinary spell of pace-bowling to ensure Pakistan a series win.

Dale Steyn unleashes hell:

Time has moved on: Asif has been banned for spot fixing and Sri Lanka have hosted many Test series in these eight years, where either the batsmen or the spinners dominated, but I cannot recall a single pacer who stood out like Dale Steyn did in the just concluded Test match, which was won by South Africa with ease.

The Galle track was still very sedate on the third day, and the home batters were expected to cash in. To jolt this compact Sri Lankan batting line-up on such a placid track, something exceptional was needed. South African bowlers Morne Morkel, Vernon Philander and Imran Tahir were failing to deliver, and it was up to the Proteas talisman Steyn to script something magical.

On a lifeless deck, the 31-year-old didn’t shy to bang the ball short, and it paid off big time as Kaushal Silva fell while hooking a well-directed Steyn bouncer, which raised a lot more than the batsman had expected. Then it was time to take revenge over Mahela Jayawardene, who made Steyn to toil in 2006.

A fast and full delivery, almost a yorker-length, thundered into his pads for which Steyn appealed vociferously; umpire Billy Bowden lifted his crooked finger. Jayawerdene went for a review, but it was not helpful enough. The world no. 1’s joy knew no bound.

The home team was stunned:

After tea, Steyn unleashed a flurry of bone-chilling short-pitch stuffs to unsettle the Lankan batsmen, and they were followed by lethal reverse-swinging deliveries, which was too tough to handle. Lahiru Thirimanne, Dinesh Chandimal and Dilruwan Perera were gobbled as he picked a five-for in the first innings.

In the second innings, he was as usual in a destructive mood: a four-wicket haul and fantastic support from his bowling partner Morne sunk Sri Lanka.

The exhausting heat at Galle didn’t even take its toll on Steyn as he continued to run in with enough vigor, not for a moment thinking to bowl defensively.

Steyn’s pace was deceptive; he made the old ball to reverse as effectively as ever and fired through the block hole by dishing out yorkers from hell and extracted unbelievable bounce from a track that looked dead when opposition bowled. Boy, that was fearsome!

If a fast bowler exhibits his pace-bowling expertise on flat wickets, then it’s a lifetime memory to relish. Flat tracks don’t do anything good to a pace bowler’s confidence, but exceptionally gifted ones are never to be dented by such demons. Adverse conditions always bring out the best from them, and Galle brought out the very best from Steyn. Ultimately, Sri Lanka had to suffer.

Note: This article was published on Sportskeeda on 20/07/2014  Dale Steyn at Galle: A memory to cherish

Thank You

Faisal Caesar

FIFA World Cup 2014 - This un-Brazilian football should be laid to rest in Estádio Mineirão once and for all

Last night was absolutely horrifying for me. Even in my wildest of dreams, I never thought that the Brazilians would dish out such a terribly terrible display which would remain as one of the worst ever results in the history of Brazilian football.

Surely, the Brazilians were the underdogs against Germany, but the Selecao were never expected to get such demoralized. After digesting the first goal they simply lost their mojo and became mentally crippled. They looked afraid and confused. I kept on wondering, whether I was really witness a Brazilian team! It was not Brazil last night. It was a bunch of sheep who had let down their country and billions of Brazilian fans all over the world.

We kept faith in Scolari and thought that, Scolari had picked up a balanced side which would lift the World Cup for the sixth time. But after Scolari’s declaration of the 23-man squad, I did read some of the Brazilian comments (I translated them in English) on Facebook about Scolari's pick. They were not happy with the selection and according to them; the Selecao would be humiliated big time. I argued with one of them and tried to outclass his thoughts. But he proved correct.

Scolari has picked a side based on emotions and not merit which we supported emotionally as well. Keeping faith in a team which won you the Confederations Cup can't be the criteria to pick up World Cup squad. Scolari simply ignored some of the most deserving footballers who could have given this team enough balance.

This Brazilian humiliation is a lesson for all - Don't rely too much on youngsters. In a World Cup you need the ideal combination of youth and experience. Brazil simply didn't show any maturity in defence, midfield or forward. And when enough calm and composure was needed during pressurized situations, the Selecao were found wanting. It happened only due to lack of experience in the side.

Brazil should realize why they were the most beloved team of everyone for the last hundred years or so. Sacrificing 'Jogo Bonito' and embracing the European way have almost killed Brazilian football. I don't wish to think like you - time has changed, football has changed bla, bla, bla......

I have always believed that Brazil can only dominate through 'Jogo Bonito'. Yes a moderate one - Stubborn defenders and beautiful artists in the midfield and forward - like the Brazil of 1958. Time might have changed, football might have changed but one thing has never changed and which is 'Beautiful football'. Brazil tried to make it look ugly over the years and the results have been upsetting. They did win matches but they had always failed to be a 'Brazilian'.

This un-Brazilian football should laid to rest in Estádio Mineirão once and for all.

Thank You

Faisal Caesar

সাকিবকে আরও বিচক্ষন হতে হবে

১। “আমি বোর্ডে গিয়েছি, এনওসির ব্যাপারে কথা বলেছি। সুজন ভাই, আকরাম ভাইয়ের সঙ্গে কথা বলেছি। আমি প্রশিক্ষকের সঙ্গেও কথা বলেছি। তাকে জানিয়েছি, আমি পরদিন চলে যাচ্ছি, তাই আর ট্রেনিং করবো না। ও বলেছে, ঠিক আছে।”- সাকিব আল হাসান।

তোমার মতো প্রফেশনাল ক্রিকেটারের কি শুধু মৌখিক কোথার ওপর ভিত্তি করে কাজ করা উচিৎ? এত রিলাকটেন্ট আচরন কি তোমার হওয়া উচিৎ? এই যুগে মুখের কথার ওপর কতটুকু আস্থা রাখা যায়?     

আর আমার তো মনে হয় আমাদের দলের কয়েক জন ক্রিকেটার ছাড়া বেশীরভাগই এরকম হেয়ালি এবং  আনপ্রফেশনাল। এসব ক্ষেত্রে কি বিসিবির কোন ইডুকেশন প্রোগরাম নেই? যত দূর জানি, প্রত্যেক ক্রিকেট বোর্ডেরই প্লেয়ারদের মধ্যে প্রফেশনালিসম এবং ডিসিপ্লিন গ্রো করার জন্য ইডুকেশন প্রোগরাম রয়েছে। আমাদের কি সেটা আছে? নাকি ওটার জন্য যা অর্থ বরাদ্ধ হয় সেটা নিজেদের পকেটে যায়?                        

২। “এই অনুমতিটা নিতে হবে সিইও-র কাছ থেকে। অনাপত্তিপত্র নিয়ে যাবার জন্য তাকে দুদিন অপেক্ষা করতে বলা হয়েছিল, কিন্তু সে অপেক্ষা না করে সেদিনই ওয়েস্ট ইন্ডিজের উদ্দেশ্যে রওয়ানা দেয়।” বিসিবির মুখপাত্র জালাল ইউনুস

‘ভাই’য়েরা এখনো চুপ কেন? যদি মৌখিক অনুমতি দেবার কোন নিয়ম না থাকে তাহলে ওনারা দিলেন কেন? এই ‘ভাই’দের বিরুদ্ধে কোন অ্যাকশন নেওয়া হবে না? ওনারা কি নিয়ম ভাঙ্গেন নাই? 

৩। “আমি বিতর্কে আসতে চাই না। কোন তর্ক-বিতর্কে থাকতে চাই না। চাই ক্রিকেট খেলতে। কারণ এটা আমার সবচেয়ে বড় প্যাশন। ক্রিকেট আমার ভালো লাগে। ক্রিকেট না খেললে আমার পক্ষে চলা খুবই কষ্টের একটা বিষয়।”সাকিব আল হাসান

কিন্তু তুমি বিতর্কে বার, বার জড়াচ্ছ কেন? সাকসেসফুল লোকদের পিছে খারাপ লোক লাগবেই। কিন্তু একজন বিচক্ষন লোক সহজে এদের বিছানো জালে ধরা পড়ে না। পুরো ব্যাপারটি যদি ঐ খারাপ লোকদের একটি ষড়যন্ত্র হয় তাহলে তুমি কিন্তু আবার ওদের জালে ফেঁসে গেলে।         

ঐ খরাপ লোকদেরকে তুমিই সুযোগ করে দিচ্ছো রে ভাই। ওরা ঠাণ্ডা মাথায় জাল ফেলে আর তুমি সেই জালে ফেঁসে যাও। কারন তোমার মস্তিষ্কে বেশীরভাগ সময় আগ্নেয়গিরির বিস্ফোরণ ঘটে। হেয়ালিপনা বর্জন না করলে সামনে আরও বিপদ হবে। ঐ খারাপ লোক গুলো তোমাকে আরো বড় বিপদে ফেলবে। মাথা ঠাণ্ডা রেখে কাজ করতে হবে।

৪। “আপনারা আমার টিমমেটদের জিজ্ঞেস করতে পারেন এ ব্যাপারে। এই তো ভারতের বিপক্ষে সিরিজের আগেই আইপিএল জিতে এসে ওদের বলেছিলাম দেশের হয়ে একটা ম্যাচ জেতাতে যে আনন্দ, সেই আনন্দ কি আর আইপিএল জয়ে আছে।” সাকিব আল হাসান

তোমার মুখে আমরা এটাই শুনতে চাই। কিন্তু “জাতীয় ক্রিকেট দলে না খেলার হুমকি সাকিবের” এটার উৎপত্তি কোথা থেকে হলো? খারাপ লোকদের কোন অপচেষ্টা নাকি? নাকি রাগের মাথায় তুমি নিজেই বলেছ?

কিংবা, বিসিবির মুখপাত্র জালাল ইউনুসের এই বক্তব্য “সে ওখানে টি-টোয়েন্টি খেলতে যাচ্ছে, তাই তাকে বলা হয়েছিল তুমি আগেই ফিরে এসে লংগার ভার্সনের খেলার জন্য প্রস্তুতি নাও। তখন খুব সম্ভবত সে জবাব দিয়েছিল আমি টি-টোয়েন্টিই খেলতে পছন্দ করি, লংগার ভার্সন খেলার দরকার নেই। এমনটাই আমরা শুনেছি।”কতটুকু সত্যি?

আবার, জালাল সাহেবের এই “তখন খুব সম্ভবত সে জবাব দিয়েছিল আমি টি-টোয়েন্টিই খেলতে পছন্দ করি, লংগার ভার্সন খেলার দরকার নেই। এমনটাই আমরা শুনেছি।” কথাটিই বা কেমন? ‘খুব সম্ভবত’ এবং ‘এমনটাই আমরা শুনেছি’ এসব ইনএকুরেট কথার কোন মূল্য নেই। কথা হতে হবে একুরেট। আপনার নিজের কথাতে একুরেসি না থাকলে হবে?

সাকিব তোমার দিকে ১৬ কোটি বাংলাদেশী তাকিয়ে থাকে। তোমার ভক্তকুল অনেক। আর আমার মতো সকিব-ভক্তের সংখ্যা আরও অনেক। আমরা সর্বদা তোমার পাশেই আছি এবং চিরকাল থাকব। কিন্তু আমরা একজন 'ট্রু আইকন' সাকিবকে চাই। কোন রাগী কিংবা হেয়ালি সাকিবকে নয়। তোমাকে আরও বিচক্ষন হতে হবে।   

ধন্যবাদ

ফয়সাল সিজার