The World Cup started for Brazil at 12:00 am local time with
cheers from Dhaka, Rio, Sao Paolo, Sao Carlos and Brazil fans all over the
world. The Selecao gifted the fans an electrifying first-half, which included a
stunning goal from Philippe Coutinho. According to The Guardian, “Marcelo’s
cross was headed away to Coutinho, in the inside-left channel 25 yards from
goal. His first touch was immaculate, teeing himself up for a big right-footed
curler that clattered off the inside of the far post and into the net. It’s a
beautiful goal, the kind we’ve seen him score so often”.
Indeed, one can only be left admiring about Coutinho’s
thunder-strike in the 20th minute. It enlightened Brazil even more.
Neymar controlled the left-flank and centre like a boss – flirted around the
pitch and played with the Swiss defenders, who were up to target him physically.
But Neymar maintained his rhythm. As if holding the ball on his feet is just
another challenge for him. He could pass, but he won’t. He wanted to play more
like a boy in the streets of Sao Paolo.
Marcelo cam up further to join Neymar and form a cocktail of
flair and devastation. He had not only pressed hard, but at the same time,
defended accordingly – no signs of pressure or immaturity of 2014. The Brazilian
fans could realise, Marcelo was the ideal leader for this team. Then we noticed
how Paulinho assisted the up front and of course on the right wing, Wilian was
as usual doing his duties – toying with the defenders to essay one of those
lethal crosses to the strikers in the centre.
Brazil’s midfield and forwards looked a bunch of happy kids
as because they were playing freely and the freedom was provided by the back
and a holding midfielder named Casemiro. Brazil looked invincible and at the
end of first half adventure, all of us expected more from the boys from Brazil.
But the picture was different in the second half.
Surprisingly, Brazil looked defensive from the word go. They
decided to stay back rather than go for the high-press – a tactic which Tite
had been following during the World Cup Qualifiers and International Friendly
Matches. And in the 50th minute, when Zubar scored that goal from a
set-piece corner, Brazil forgot the way heir past heroes used to play to make a
comeback.
Time moved on. He fans kept on waiting. The commentators continued to become hopeful. But Brazil continued to frustrate everyone with an average display. There was no sign of that Brazil of first half, but Switzerland relied on long-balls and attacked from both flanks to create panic in Barzil half.
Time moved on. He fans kept on waiting. The commentators continued to become hopeful. But Brazil continued to frustrate everyone with an average display. There was no sign of that Brazil of first half, but Switzerland relied on long-balls and attacked from both flanks to create panic in Barzil half.
To the astonishment of all, the match ended in 1-1 draw.
I am not one of those guys to cite excuses. Definitely, Brazil played poorly in the second
half and allowed the Swiss to step forward and time and again. Corner-kicks have
made the Selecao suffer a lot. Still, if you are not cautious enough, then, as
a fan, what can I say?
But, okay, Brazil played badly and Switzerland utilized that
well to give the hot favourites the scare, but can you really ignore the poor
quality of referring on that night at Rostov-on-Don?
In the 74th minute, Brazil were shouting for a penalty after
Gabriel Jesus received a well-placed pass in the area and tried to turn against
Manuel Akanji but fell down as he tried to do so. Akanji certainly was making
some contact with Jesus, but the referee decides there wasn’t enough there.
In such case, what was the VAR doing? The replay suggested of a sure-contact, but Brazil were denied of a penalty, which could have changed the course of the match.
In such case, what was the VAR doing? The replay suggested of a sure-contact, but Brazil were denied of a penalty, which could have changed the course of the match.
Then the referee’s soft-corner towards the Swiss defenders
who unleashed an unofficial physical assault on Neymar to blunt the superstar.
He was fouled ten times, the most on any players in a World Cup match in the
last twenty years. The referee saw a Swiss defender pull Neymar’s shirt from
behind, but still he remained unmoved.
Moreover, the VAR was not in action when Miranda was pushed from behind by Zuber while netting the header. That goal should have been disallowed if VAR was used effectively.
Moreover, the VAR was not in action when Miranda was pushed from behind by Zuber while netting the header. That goal should have been disallowed if VAR was used effectively.
Brazil played badly, but without a doubt, they were also the
victim of some poor refereeing, which was quite unexpected in such a mega-event.
Thank You
Faisal Caesar
No comments:
Post a Comment