As World Cup Nears, Expectations Mount

Hearts beat a little faster around World Cup season. Dick Advocaat has been hoping to renew what Guus Hiddink and his squad achieved in the 2002 Korea-Japan World Cup. His main concern now is to lead and inspire the new Korean squad into victory.

Carlos Alberto Pareira, Team Brazil`s manager, announced Brazil`s final roster without a doubt that the cup is theirs. Others agree that Brazil has the best chance. Germany, despite the questions that arose concerning Klinsmann’s leadership, has the home advantage as its major asset. Argentina remains strong. Italy`s membership is a lot stronger than what it was four years ago. France knows how to win. The Netherlands, who contributed two of their famed managers to Korea, reinforced their technical aspects recently with a balanced mix of seasoned veterans and powerful young players. From Africa comes Cote d`Ivoire, a team of much potential, thought by many to be capable of surprising the world. The World Cup no longer belongs to Europe or South America.

England, on the other hand, has never really lived up to its promise. Wayne Rooney fractured his right toe; and Michael Owen is struggling with his own injury as well. Now England has turned its eyes to relatively unknown teenagers Theo Walcott and Aaron Lennon. It will be their task to pump some young blood into the English team. Another teenage sensation from Spain, Arsenal’s own Cesc Fabregas, came aboard the Spanish squad. Argentina’s Lionel Messi is another teen prodigy who led Barcelona to the Champion’s League final. The 32 teams and their teen footballers are ready to shake the ground in Germany.

The Germans are in their last preparation stage for the opening of the long-awaited World Cup, reinforcing their police force to prevent possible acts of terrorism. Terrorists aren’t the only problem; many youths from England, Holland, and Poland are gearing up to set a stage for hooliganism and drinking binge during the World Cup. More than anything, Germany aims to recreate the passionate atmosphere of 2002 World Cup on German soil. It would be a success for Germany if they can manage to conjure up half the red wave and mind-numbing buzz that was present in Korea four years ago. When all are intoxicated with the game, it really doesn’t matter who gets to keeps the cup.