January 30, 2013 at 5:54 p.m.
World Cup Roundtable
Italians prove their point
Don Burgess: Well done to the Italians! They were easily the best team over the last three games of the World Cup. They were far superior in penalty kicks, which some people may downplay, but it's all still part of the game.
George Holdipp: Italy appeared to me to be the likely winners when they knocked Germany out in the semis — as I have said before their finishing was clinical.
They looked strong in both attack and defence making their team well-balanced. I believe they deserve to be World Champions! Portugal get knocked out but I must admit I never once thought they had the players to go all the way. If they want to progress and finally win something they must get rid of Scolari. He has taken Portugal as far as he can. They need to bring José Mourinho back home to coach Portugal.
Manny Faria: I disagree about Portugal. The only thing they needed was a striker. I'm disappointed Nuno Gomes didn't get more playing time. He scored a good goal on Saturday. Portugal only conceded two goals in the whole tournament including Zidane's penalty. Their defence was solid even without the injured Jorge Andrade. Their midfield was as good as any despite not having the big names. If we only had a Eusebio type striker today. We weren't far off. We were not outplayed by France in the semis and I think we could've had a good shot against Sunday's Italy. We need to keep Scolari. He's taken Portugal as far as could get but that's a lot further than most countries went.
GH: Sorry Manny, but you're wrong on that count. Portugal struggled against the likes of England and even Holland — they just barely managed to get by both. In the match against Holland, in the second half, the Dutch must have had 75 per cent possession and only the ineptitude of their strikers resulted in their not scoring. Against England they were very fortunate, despite losing Rooney. England's Joe Cole and Frank Lampard missed golden opportunities to bury the Portuguese but didn't.
I agree Portugal need a world class striker. I have never been convinced by Azorean born striker Pedro Pauleta. Cristiano Ronaldo has no sense of direction when it comes to taking a shot on the edge of the 18-yard box. The Portuguese player who impressed me immensely was Nuno Maniche, who I think is the most underrated player in World football!
DB: Just to change to subject, Did Zidane deserve the Golden Ball? I felt his accomplishments were diminished by the sending off in the final.
GH: Unlike my mate Junior DeSilva I have no problem with Zidane getting the golden boot award even with his sending off. He was obviously provoked and that act as regrettable as it was out of character for the midfield maestro. It was a shame to see. Let's keep these things in perspective — the players are footballers not saints!
MF: I was left speechless when I saw the headbutt. My vote would've been for Cannavarro though. I thought he was a great to watch all month. He was the clear leader of a rock solid defense.
Lee Beauchamp:Very true, Manny. Cannavarro was the player of the tournament but they rarely give these accolades to defenders.I think i'ts seen as more glamorous to award them to midfielders or strikers. I thought on that basis that Zidane was a certainty to win the Golden ball until his moment of madness in the second half. We all now realise that the votes were cast during the 1st half of the final — I wonder how many would like to amend their ballots.[[In-content Ad]]
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