World Cup 2010 Blog: “World Cup Moments: Argentina’s Passing Move Goal vs Serbia & Montenegro” plus 1 more

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World Cup Moments: Argentina’s Passing Move Goal vs Serbia & Montenegro Posted: 21 Apr 2010 09:08 AM PDT Some say it was 26 passes. Some say it was 25. Some say it was 24. I think the higher numbers include either the initial tackle or the actual finish or both. I say it doesn’t matter which number you choose, because Argentina’s second goal vs Serbia & Montenegro at the 2006 World Cup was something special. It was Esteban Cambiasso on the scoresheet, but this was a goal that belonged to the whole team. It begins with a Maxi Rodriguez toe poke to regain possession, and twenty-something quick passes later it ends with a Hernan Crespo backheel and an Esteban Cambiasso finish. So many great things to say about this goal. Let’s start with the obvious: The short passing and movement. We’re always told this is how football should be played, but it’s still rare to see it actually happen this way. Very few flicks, very few tricks, just top level professional footballers performing the very simple and effective action of passing and moving. Here’s the goal, in all its YouTubey glory: I especially like that there’s a sense of purpose about the passing. It’s not slow or lazy, and so you always feel like this move is going somewhere. Even when Argentina go backwards there’s a sense that they are looking to open up the S&M defence. My favourite thing about this goal is that it ends with a flourish. Because Argentina (with, it must be said, more than a little help from Serbia & Montenegro’s lackadaisical defending) made the passing move look so very easy, it would have been something of an anti-climax if they’d just walked the ball into the net. Easy doesn’t always equal impressive. But after all the build-up, the goal itself happens quickly. Cambiasso gets it just outside the box and plays a quick ball into Hernan Crespo, who returns the pass with a perfectly weighted backheel. For me that backheel is the one bit of misdirection the move needed. The flourish. Cambiasso falls as he strikes the ball left footed, but it still goes in, straight up the middle. Brilliant. The Guardian published a diagram of the move the next day, titled “Twenty-four Steps to Heaven”, which design and architecture (and other stuff) blog City of Sound photographed to go with an excellent essay about the very same goal: If your head hurts looking at all those overlapping lines, then try imagining how the S&M players felt watching the move unfold in front of them. Argentina went on to win this game 6-0, and at that stage were everyone’s favourite to win the 2006 World Cup. How could they not be? Obviously that didn’t happen, and coach José Pekerman was so disappointed with Argentina’s exit that he resigned. In one way that doesn’t matter though. Because Pekerman and his 2006 Argentina won’t be remembered for losing against Germany in the quarter-final. Pekerman and his 2006 Argentina team will be remembered for this goal, and that perfect passing move. - More World Cup Moments.

10 World Cup Questions: Switzerland Posted: 21 Apr 2010 06:42 AM PDT We’ve been trying our best to profile each of the 32 teams that will compete at World Cup 2010, but our knowledge about each team is miniscule (or at least mine is anyway) when compared to that of our team bloggers. If you’re unfamiliar with World Cup Blog, then allow me to explain: The blog you’re reading now is the front page, but the core of WCB is the multitude of team specific blogs, including one for each of the World Cup 2010 teams. The authors of these team blogs have forgotten more about their sides than I’ll ever know, so I decided to tap that knowledge by asking each of them a set of 10 questions. Over the next few weeks we’ll be publishing the answers from our team bloggers and sharing their expert knowledge and opinions here on the front page. Today it’s the turn of Adrian from Switzerland World Cup Blog. Read on to learn all about the Swiss national team… 1. Who is your best player? Bayer Leverkusen winger Tranquillo Barnetta – after years of Alex Frei taking this mantle, Barnetta – nominated for ‘Best Young Player’ at the 2006 FIFA World Cup is definately our top talent. 2. What do you think of your coach? Ottmar Hitzfeld is one of the greatest managers in the history of football, he is the only manager to win the UEFA Champions League with two different clubs (Bayern Munich and Dortmund). In my opinion, he stands only second to Lippi as the most decorated of all 32-team national coaches heading into South Africa this summer. 3. What do you think of the Switzerland World Cup 2010 kits? Love it. The introduction of the Swiss flag onto the kit is a great addition. It is definately a huge step up from the V-neck design from the UEFA Euro 2008. 4. What is Switzerland’s biggest strength? Midfield. Our midfield boasts a lot of players that can both attack and defend. We are blessed with Barnetta on the wings (the Swiss equivalent to Messi, Ronaldo, Ribéry and Robben). We have a number of players that can also hold up the ball, so possesion will be a key part of our game. 5. …and biggest weakness? Defence. We can be too attack minded, and when we let in goals, we LET IN goals. Though we do have Wolfsburg’s Diego Benaglio, what good is a goalkeeper if defenders lose the ball too easily? Also we lack depth. Should a key member of the squad be injured or suspended, we lack adequate replacements, and often struggle. 6. If you could steal one player from any other World Cup 2010 team, then who would it be and why? To solve our defensive worries, I would choose a strong-centre back in the frame of Brazilian Juan. The AS Roma centre back has had a fantastic season in Italy and would be a great asset to help strengthen the area I highlighted as problematic. 7. Tell us one thing about your team that the rest of the world might not know… Switzerland co-own the record, along with Austria for the highest-ever scoring game at a FIFA World Cup finals. In the 1954 edition, hosted in Switzerland, Austria defeated the Swiss 7-5 in the quarter-finals, even though the Swiss were 3-0 up after 19 minutes. In the 2006 FIFA World Cup, Switzerland became the only team to exit the competition without letting in a single goal, and also became the only team in history to finish the group stages without letting in any goals. 8. What would you consider success/failure for your team at World Cup 2010? Success? Advancing from the group stages. Unfortunately, the way the draw is shaped means that Switzerland can potentially face Brazil or Portugal in the round of 16 – meaning our chances of a record-equalling quarterfinal appearance are quite slim. Success for me is therefore a R16 appearance, and further progress. Failure would be the opposite. 9. What are you most exited about at World Cup 2010? Well, it IS the first World Cup to be hosted in Africa – so I’m actually REALLy excited to see that – so many stadia I’m not familar with – and all brand-spanking-new – can’t wait. 10. Who do you think will win World Cup 2010? Tough to call. I’d give my vote to either Italy (my “other” team) or Germany. Other teams are the traditinal favourites like Brazil, Spain and the Netherlands. Argentina have not convinced me, though they posses the magical Messi, they struggled to qualify. I’d keep my eye on the Dutch to win their first-ever World Cup – Sneijder and Robben have had a great season and may help the Dutch cause greatly. HOPP SCHWIIZ!!! - More from Adrian at Switzerland World Cup Blog.

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