Farewell to Klinnsman

Juergen Klinsmann announced on Wednesday that he has stepped down as the coach of Germany and his assistant Joachim Loew would take his place. 'This was not an easy decision,' Klinsmann, fighting back tears, told a news conference in Frankfurt. 'I would like to thank everybody for two exciting years.'

Klinnsman has decided that he is first and foremost a family man and he wants to spend more time with his family. Well, that is a decision which all fans should accept. Soccer Pundit feels that it may be a wise one too. Germany's unlikely third place finish has fuelled expectations that the title of world champion is within reach and and failure is no longer an option. The pendulous weight of the nation's hopes can be both inspiring and taxing. As a former top footballer, Klinnsman is attuned to the fact that fans have short memories and if he fails to replicate or further the success at Euro 2008, then his head will be on the chopping board again.

His decision to take a step back is timed correctly as he has pursued his dreams and gained much respect from all sectors in the process. His contributions to restoring faith in the German team and uniting the nation will not be forgotten. Meanwhile, Leow, the man in the hot seat, will find himself under scrutiny from now on.

The question is, will he continue with Klinnsman's legacy or go back to a defensive approach as favored by the traditionalists? Soccer Pundit thinks that while Leow will not undo the work of Klinnsman, he may just tone down the attacking instincts to please the few old men in the federation.

Zidane: Materazzi insulted my mother and sister

In his first public statement since the head butt, Zinedine Zidane publicly apologised for his sending-off in the World Cup final, but claimed he did not regret his actions against Marco Materazzi. He mentioned that he was provoked by repeated cruel insults to his mother and sister but he did not exactly clear up the air when he left out the actual content of the provocation.

An excerpt from the interview:
'I reacted badly and I would like to apologise for it,' Zidane told Canal Plus. 'I would like to apologise because a lot of children were watching the match. I do apologise but I don't regret my behaviour because regretting it would mean he was right to say what he said. 'There was no tension with Materazzi before or during the match. 'He just put his hand onto my shirt and I told him to stop. I told him that if he wanted it I could give it to him at the end of the match.

'Then he said very harsh words to me and repeated them several times. I left but then I went back towards him and things went very fast. The words he said concerned my mother and sister. 'I heard them once, then twice, and the third time I couldn't control myself. I am a man and some words are harder to hear than actions. I would have rather been knocked down than hear that.' '

He is prepared to defend his actions at the FIFA hearings and he stresses that action should also be taken on Materazzi. "There was a serious provocation," Zidane said. "My act is not forgivable. But they must also punish the true guilty party, and the guilty party is the one who provokes." Materazzi on the other hand, vehemently denies any insults to Zidane's mother so does that mean Zidane is lying? Soccer Pundit feels it is unlikely though and prefers to give Zidane the benefit of the doubt as there is no reason for him to lose his head over trivial insults ten minutes before the end of his career. Nevertheless, Zidane's disciplinary record of 14 red cards in his career will not be looked on kindly at at the FIFA inquiry.

Soccer Pundit feels that while the mystery still lingers on this matter, at least the world has a better understanding on the events which transpired before Zidane's actions. Cruel insults, or for that matter, offensive racist remarks on a fellow player to provoke a reaction and let him get a caution or red card has been around for a long time and is not restricted to soccer alone.

In the past, it was treated as part of the game but the fact that this incident has happened in front of such a big audience and at an important event as the World Cup finals should make the FIFA authority sit up and take notice. The rules of the game is not so clear on verbal provocation as it is on physical retaliation. Maybe it is time to make changes to the rules to prevent further abuse of players, especially those facing racial discrimination.

Empower the referee to take action on such players who disregard basic human rights. However, Soccer Pundit has to emphasise that Zidane's action is wrong and should not be condoned even though he is forgiven. Yes, protection of family honour is a noble act but before any rules come into action, self-restraint is still the best approach, as the wrong message is sent to young children that it is alright to to retaliate when provoked and take the law into their own hands. This will only cause violence to exacerbate...

Germany 2006 World Cup Award Winners

Zinedine Zidane (FRA) Golden Ball Award

Fabio Cannavaro (ITA) Silver Ball Award
Andrea Pirlo (ITA) Bronze Ball Award

Miroslav Klose (GER) Golden Shoe Award with 5 goals

Hernan Crespo (ARG) Silver Shoe Award with 3 goals
Ronaldo (BRA) Bronze Shoe Award with 3 goals

Lukas Poldoski (GER) crowned Gillette Best Young Player.

What did Materazzi say to Zidane?

Yes, this is the same head which knocked out Brazil eight years ago. The classic header...

The million dollar question on everybody's mind now will be the words Materazzi said to Zidane that provoked the head butt. Speculation is rife that he has abused Zidane's sister by claiming that she is a prostitute, Zidane himself is a terrorist due to his Algerian and Muslim descentry, an ungrateful dog which betrayed Italy, and much more.

For the time being, these are all unsubstantiated rumors and only Zidane himself can comment on the incident as Materazzi has denied any wrongdoing. Soccer Pundit takes a very dim view of such abuse as it is not sportsmanlike and absolutely despicable to achieve a victory in such a manner. Hopefully, FIFA can conduct a proper investigation into the matter and weed out such practices.

However, Zidane could also have exercised more restraint and focus his fury into scoring the all-important winner, instead of going tit for tat. For all his talent, unfortunately, he is prone to aggression at times and is no stranger to red cards. In the 1998 World Cup, he got a red card and was served a two-match ban before he arrived in the finals to conquer the Brazilians. His club career was also riddled with such disgraceful acts. This can be attributed to his tough upbringing where he played soccer in the streets. "You can take the man out of the rough neighbourhood but you cannot take the rough neighbourhood out of the man", says Thierry Henry.

To get red cards for belligerence is an irresponsible act where the interest of the team is concerned and is not a good example to show to budding youngsters who idolise him. Still he can be forgiven as he is after all human. Zidane must also be feeling bad and he must live with the mistake he has made that deprived his team and nation of another World Cup medal. Despite all that has happened, Soccer Pundit still has the highest regard for his skills, influence and vision and nothing has changed...

Italy win World Cup

For the fourth time, Italy lifted the World Cup trophy as they beat France 5-3 on penalties on Sunday. Both teams had drawn level at 1-1 in a tense final that saw Zinedine Zidane sent off in extra time.

France started off brightly and had the better chances early on in the game. The referee awarded a penalty in the 6th minute after Florent Malouda charged into the box and was felled by Materazzi. Zidane converted the spot-kick with a cheeky chip which hit the underside of the bar. However, Italy came back strongly and in the 19th minute, Materazzi turned from villian to hero when he outjumped Vieira to head an Andrea Pirlo corner in at the far post. Italy went close again in the 36th minute when striker Luca Toni headed against the bar from Pirlo's cross.

In the second half, France took control of the game (with Henry looking especially dangerous) and have several chances to pull ahead but they were just not able to breach the Italian defence. In fact, against the run of play, Italy nearly scored the winner when Barthez was beaten in the 62nd minute by a Toni header which was ruled out for offside. Neither side was able to break the deadlock as the game entered extra time.

Zidane could have finished the night as a two-goal hero when he aimed a scorching header from Sagnol's cross in the 105st minute but Buffon managed to turn it over the bar. Instead, he ended the match in disgrace when, after an exchange of words with Materazzi, he felled the centre back with a head butt. Without Zidane, France lost its grip on the game and it became apparent that penalties is the only way to decide the winner.

As it turns out, the Italians converted all the penalties. Italy must have kept their fans on tenterhooks as they had lost all three of their previous shootouts but they kept their nerve this time. It was France who disappointed as David Trezeguet (hero of Euro 2000) missed his penalty while Barthez was not able to stop any spotkicks to reverse the situation.

Soccer Pundit feels for Zidane as this was meant to be his night and a glorious end to his immaculate career. Yet he commited the cardinal sin of all players which is physical retaliation. In the minds of soccer fans, he will forever be the maestro with the unparalleled skills but there is now a slight blemish on his legacy. The French coach Domenech is partly to blame for their exit as he had taken out Henry and Ribery who are first choice penalty takers.

With Zidane's demise, Italians stole the limelight and their captain Fabio Cannavaro turned in another solid performance in his 100th international. As the record stands, they have become the second most successful team in World Cup history after Brazil, who have won it five times. There is no doubt that their defence won the Cup for them since Totti (playmaker) and del Pierro (striker) were lacklustre ever since the tournament started.

As for France, would they be cast into the wilderness now that the irrepressible Zidane has retired or will they make an energetic comeback with fresh, young talents? In Euro 2008, the answer will be revealed but one thing is for sure, there will not be another Zidane in the French team for this and maybe the next generation...

Germany 3-1 Portugal

Germany beat Portugal 3-1 to claim third place on Saturday as midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger scored two goals and forced an own-goal from Portugal. The scoreline was a bit flattering as Portugal did not play too badly and have several glit-edged chances but they were wasted due to their poor finishing as well as the superb form of Oliver Kahn.

In the 56th minute, Schweinsteiger fired home his first goal of the competition from long range to put Germany ahead. Five minutes later, a Schweinsteiger free kick was deflected into his own net by Portugal midfielder Petit, a halftime substitute. Schweinsteiger added a third with a similar effort to his first in the 78th minute, the ball flying into the top right corner. Substitute Luis Figo created Portugal's consolation, crossing perfectly from the right for Nuno Gomes to head home from close range two minutes from time.

Germany carried on with their signature attacking football and entertained their fans in this "meaningless" match. During the past 4 weeks, the transformation of Klinnsman's vilification to rave reviews is nothing short of a miracle and the euphoria and nationalistic fervour sweeping the nation caught many people by surprise, albeit a pleasant one. From their very first match against Costa Rica, Soccer Pundit was impressed and they went on to show that the attacking style is now the norm rather than the exception.

One can only imagine the pressure on Klinnsman as he revolutionise the defensive and cautious approach of past German teams. Ultra-defensive play was a tested and proven method for Germany that has yielded three World Cups for them and Soccer Pundit would not be surprised if Klinnsman had stepped on many toes along the way. He also stripped Oliver Kahn of the captaincy (a brave act considering the influence Khan wields on the team) and threw in a whole bunch of youngsters into the fray.

There was hardly any player in the team who can be called a superstar, short of Michael Ballack. Nevertheless, Klinnsman stood firm in his belief and took all the brickbats in his stride; for that he deserved the highest respect and all the accolades (from friends and foes) that are now coming his way.

So yes, the World Cup is out of reach but winning is not everything. For Soccer Pundit, he will never support a team whose motto is to win at all cost and that means to deploy whatever methods at their disposal (play-acting, cheating, illegal challenges, negative and boring play). The victories are hollow and leave a sour/bitter taste for fans and their opponents. That is not the way which this game is to be played.

Not since the Netherland's Total Football has a European country exhibit such prowess and commitment to attack (even when they are leading comfortably). That is usually something which fans associate with the South American teams like Brazil and Argentina. Of all teams to make the change, it was Germany. England looks good on paper to pull off this task with two top-notch attacking midfielders, Gerrad and Lampard, but their campaign has gone horribly wrong (shucks!)

Sven, for all his years as a coach, could learn something from Klinnsman who is inexperienced but he dares to be adventurous and pursues his own dream. For that matter, Scolari is also another coach who dares to be different when he dropped Romario for the 2002 World Cup to great outcry (even Brazil's President intervened) but in the end, he stood up to the pressure and chose an unfit and off-form Ronaldo as the main target-man. Soccer Pundit has no doubt that both men have deep respect for each other as they faced the same circumstances before.

This match also draws to an end the illustrious careers of two soccer icons, Luis Figo and Oliver Kahn. It is a pity that neither had won any World Cups but both had achieved greatness in their playing career and will be remembered by their own fans for their contributions. Meanwhile, there is another soccer icon who will be retiring, Zizou, and the question on everybody's mind will be whether he end up as world champion again...