France 98 Final Thoughts

The World Cup is over and it is time to see how the Warrior's predictions panned out.   But first things first.  France has made the Warrior extremely happy in winning the tournament, and in emphatic style too.  The fact that a new team won, as well as defeating what I thought an over-rated team in such emphatic style, made this victory ever so sweet.  It sought of alleviates the disappointment of Australia missing out and turned what could have been a tournament of "what ifs" to one of thorough enjoyment. In fact, the composition of the French team is not dissimilar to Australia. Peoples from all round the world making a unified French team and unifying the country through their exploits. With links to Armenia, North Africa and Black Africa, it was great to see them all labelled, and hopefully accepted, as French. A message that the so-called "ethnic" groups can heed in this country.  You don't have to be "white" or Anglo to be Australian.  Just living in Australia; speaking the lingo, and even speaking a second language; and living the lifestyle is all that is required.  You are Australian by right, not conformation. Also, watching Holland, Croatia and the other possible "new" winners making great runs really was exciting and really gave the Warrior great delight.

Holland
So they did not win, but they, with France were certainly the best team there.   The penalty loss to Brazil was most disappointing, as simply, the Dutch deserved another crack at the title. They outclassed Argentina in the quarter finals and dominated most other teams with brilliant passing and skilled attacks. Personally what was so disappointing, was that they did not go for it in extra time against Brazil.  When you consider they would have been on a high with the late equaliser, I felt Brazil were ripe for the pickings, and seemingly holding out for the shootout was only asking for elimination.  Against Croatia they simply could not be bothered and you felt that third was as meaningful as last.  When the impetus did return, the Croats simply closed up shop after getting their two soft goals, though Seedorf's goal was certainly not offside as the ball came of Stamic.  There was also two glaring misses and they really could have scored ten in this game.  Anyway, they are quite young and in four years you would feel they will have their best chance ever if they an retain this crop of players.  Other than some occasional poor finishing, there seemed no weaknesses at all.

Nigeria and Norway
Nigeria were disappointing.  There lead up form was atrocious and I felt they were lucky to win the group.  Spain simply fell asleep and actually looked like world beaters in the first half, and then there was a victory over a limp Bulgaria.  The 4-1 loss to Denmark only showed up their inadequacies - their defence - and it is something that will have to be rectified to be considered a world power.

Norway were bad too.  Despite the win over Brazil and remaining undefeated until Italy just knocked them out, they simply lacked it.  They could play when required, but like USA 94, basically flopped after a phenomenal lead in.   If Morocco - who I believe were the second best team in the group - had a goalie Norway would have lost that game, and Scotland trashed them on the park, despite only registering a 1-1 draw. 

Studying the draw is far more conducive to picking outsiders rather than form.   Croatia is a case in point: barely qualified; an ordinary lead up; yet a favourable draw was the key to their success.  Of course they had to put it together to capitalise.  And when you think that if England had not succumbed to Romania in the group stage, it would have been them in the Croatian part of the draw and the most likely semi-final appearance against France.

Brazil & Germany
I said they would flop, and though not as disastrously as I predicted, it was really only a bit of fortune that they got where they did.  Brazil never looked good except for the game against Morocco.  In fact if Scotland had averted the OG, Brazil would only have made the second round on goal difference.  Chile & Denmark more than matched them and Brazil scored in spite of their play, not due to it.  And Holland outplayed them.  France only showed what sort of team they were: skilled individuals, but a poor team.

Germany were also bad.  Though Croatia - who had the easiest run of all teams - benefited from Germany having a man sent off, the Germans would simply have been destroyed had they reached the semis.  A sitter missed and a defensive error cost Mexico a win over Germany in the round of 16, and in the group stage, Yugoslavia simply dominated them.   They only got through via a deflected free kick and - like against most teams - through aerial power via corners and crosses. The Americans more than competed with them and Iran simply sat back waiting to go behind before doing anything.  When they did they looked dangerous.

The Asian challenge
Iran turned out to be the best team amongst the four qualifiers, with Japan, lacking a decent striker, not far behind.  With Suker on their team, they would have beaten Jamaica and Croatia easily.   Unlike Iran, they have no Euro based players and this is the key for Asian success, or any team for that matter.   Especially up front, their domestic leagues simply don't provide the challenge provided to perform at international level.  The top African and South American teams all have players based in the the top Euro leagues, and so do all the "smaller" European countries.  This is one reason why I feel Australia would have performed admirably in France: they have players in Europe.   They may not have made it out of group 'F' - though, in reality, I would have given them a better chance of beating this Germany than Yugoslavia as the phantom Aussies did - but certainly were the equal - or better - of at least 10 other teams in France.

The Asian challenge also flopped because of a lack of conviction.  Notably Korea, and Iran against Germany, there was too much respect.  Sure they may not be at the standard of the big guns, but they are not that far off as to sit back and hope to hit on the break, and they are certainly at the same level as the lesser Euro countries like Scotland, Denmark and Belgium (unheard of even 5 years ago), and most of the Africans that they happily competed with   These teams have a go at the big guns and there is no reason why the Asians cannot do so at the same intensity as well

Favourite games
Personally I felt the best game, in terms of quality, was the Holland/Brazil game.   If had fantastic defending and fluid attacks.  In fact, the Dutch games against Argentina and Yugoslavia were also noted for their fluid attacks.  They were quite breathtaking at times.  Argentina/England was good in the first half as well.

For drama, you had countless of games.  Over 25% of goals were scored in the last 5 minutes of either half in a game, hence all the drama.  Even the final had two goals in these periods.  The final was up there anyway with the host versus holder (and favourite) clash and to see the French dominate, blow chances, then go in at half time 2 up courtesy of two corners, knowing that Brazil would come out with all guns blazing was great stuff.  They did too, and though they did seem to lack the killer pass to open up the French, it was still nerve racking with one eye on the clock right from the start of the second half. You just knew the French would sit back and Brazil would come at them; that's human nature.  Then Desailly got marched and France missed two more one-on-ones to keep Brazil in it.  Finally, the nerves ended with the late sealer and the stadium, and my room, went berserk. 

Austria and Holland were the chief participants with Holland scoring late in all their knockout games to either win or equalise, and Austria twice to equalise in the group games.  The Austria/Chile game gave Australian viewers the most exciting piece of commentary of the tournament:

"Vastic;
a chance for Vastic;
A GOOOAAAAL FROM VASTIC;
OOOOHHHHHHH......THERE'VE DONE AGAAAIIIN..........AUSTRIA;
IN STOPPAGE TIME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
Ian Darke: SBS Australia commentator

Iran versus the USA was brilliant too.  The old enemies played like their lives were on the line and you could just feel it.  The Iranians' emotions when they scored was unbelievable, especially the second which seemed to seal it.  It seemed to take a few seconds for Madahvikia to realise what he had done, and then it was a sudden out-pouring of joy and relief.  Then barely minutes later, the Americans finally scored after relentless attack in the second half.   The Iranian nerves were back, but they held on.

For all the breathtaking play and drama of the final, the Dutch and the Iran game, for me, the most dramatic, hence the best game, was the France/Paraguay final.  Paraguay were supposedly the weakest team from the "group of death", and even their own journalists gave them no chance.  When it was time to play France in the first knockout game, they put up the most stoic and concerted defence ever whilst the French attacked and attacked and attacked, but could not get through.  Unbelievable stuff!   It was classic offence versus defence for nearly 120 minutes and when the goal finally came minutes before the shootout, the emotion from both teams was unbelievable.   Ayala was distraught, and Chilavert - who was a real father figure to the players - unable to hold him up.  Preceding the game, Chilavert was asked about the pressure of football.  He replied that there is no pressure, as real pressure was not knowing when your next meal was coming from, which the people in his country have to deal with every day.  Amazing.

Finally
France 98 was truly the greatest football extravaganza ever held and I can't wait for the next one, though, for Australians, the next Olympic Games will be huge.  Lets hope the Aussies make it in 2002 and provided they get a favourable draw, can give it a real crack.  No, actually making it will be just fine.

That was France'98 - the 16th World Championship of Football

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