South America dominant as Europeans struggle
The powerhouses of European football are struggling to make an impact
at the World Cup but amid their woes South American teams are building
up a formidable record.
Brazil, Argentina and Chile started with two wins apiece and Uruguay
and Paraguay have also impressed.
In total they have racked up a formidable eight victories in 10 games
with two draws and not a single defeat.
But it's a different story for Europe. Most spectacularly of all,
1998 winners France have imploded amid recriminations following an
opening draw with Uruguay and a miserable defeat to Mexico.
Euro 2008 champions Spain and three-times World Cup winners Germany
have also tasted defeat while England have laboured to two draws and
defending world champions Italy were held by lowly New Zealand.
Argentinian legend Diego Maradona had a rough assessment for sides
from Europe, where most of the world's top talent ply their trade. "I'm
a bit disappointed with France," Maradona said. "France is not having
the best of times. The intrinsic value of the players in France should
get them on a higher level."
But despite Spain's shock opening defeat to Switzerland, Maradona
tipped them to come good. "Spain, I think they will do well. The way
Spain started, they were coming to pick up the World Cup and we were all
playing for second place. "Italy, my God. It must be a huge scandal in
Italy when they see that." Maradona chalked up South America's World Cup
dominance to tough qualifying, the same path that his side struggled
through last year.
"The qualifying round in South America is quite competitive,"
Maradona said. "Europe has tough qualifying but you can also end up
playing the Faroe Islands. South America has teams that are fit for a
World Cup." South Africa coach Carlos Alberto Parreira, who masterminded
his native Brazil's World Cup win in 1994, welcomed the good results for
South American teams, saying it showed skill could prevail over physical
strength.
"South America once again has been able to show the strength of its
football," said Parreira, whose side slumped to a 3-0 defeat to Uruguay.
"If you are rapid in your play, if you are creative in your play, you
will get results." He said Brazil would do well, adding: "The Brazilians
perhaps haven't yet used their experience to the full. They haven't put
their foot fully on the pedal."
Ivory Coast manager Sven-Goran Eriksson, whose side went down 3-1 to
Brazil, said the five-time champions, who also beat North Korea in their
opener, had the mark of potential winners. "I think the Brazil team can
go all the way. They have quality, especially in defence," the former
England manager said after his side played the South Americans.
"You need to be almost perfect to beat Brazil. In every way they are
good, they are very good."
The less-feted Paraguay have also impressed in their first two
matches, holding Italy 1-1 and overpowering Slovakia 2-0 to stand on the
brink of qualification for the knockout stages.
Coach Gerardo Martino, who fielded three strikers against Slovakia,
has said there are "no limits" for his team, which had wins over Brazil
and Argentina in qualifying, if they play to their potential. Speaking
about the performances of teams from Latin America, which include
Honduras and Mexico as well as the South Americans, he singled out
Mexico for special praise.
"Considering the group they're playing in I think Mexico is doing a
very good job," he added.
Parreira, whose team are in Mexico's group, also had words of praise
for the Mexicans.
"Mexico undoubtedly, they do have the best team in the last 15 or 20
years, a bunch of good experienced players." BLOEMFONTEIN, South Africa,
June 22, 2010 (AFP) |