As the FIFA World Cup, Russia 2018, is fast approaching, we are to be gripped by the battle of the cultures, once again. There is no doubt that the team with the strongest conviction on its playing philosophy will emerge as winners at the end.
We can no longer talk about formations, systems, preparations, possession, etc. All that is well documented. All teams know how to play. All teams’ formations and systems, and any other detail are well researched and studied by the opponents as much as the team would know it.
Even the playing philosophy, properly executed, may only be enough to get you past the group stage.
As the competition progresses, the other one and a half, aspect will be of paramount.
The difference is going to be in the quality of players in each team, and (as one of my friends put it) a star. With everyone knowing how everyone else approaches the game, players and the key players who, by the way play together (in the same team or as opponents), almost the entire European season, the one and a half aspect left to imagination is ‘The Star’, and the half-the Quality of the Team. The quality referred to here is for the entire squad (23 players).
The goal scored by Neymar, in the warm-up game between Brazil and Croatia, is a classical example.
Uruguay has Suarez, Egypt has Salah, Spain has Iniesta, Portugal has Ronaldo, France has Pogba, Argentina has Messi, Croatia has Modric, Brazil has Neymar, Belgium has Hazard, Colombia has James, Senegal has Mane and Japan has Kagawa.
These are just some examples of the players that are expected to stand out and provide the needed creativity/improvisation and unique actions to benefit their teams.
Strangely, England looks to have the youngest team. They even have a 19-year-old in John Alexander-Arnold. This shows the intentions of a nation with a view to the future.
It is not clear if all five African representatives have a progressive national playing philosophy. Without this item, it does cast a lot of doubt regarding their progression from the first round.
It will not surprise to see all of them going home after the first three games, per team. Teamwork needs to be complimented by outstanding individual ability. This has become a necessity over the last two decades.
Zidane showed it in France 98. Ronaldo showed it in Korea-japan in 2002. Pirlo did the same in 2006, and so was Iniesta in 2010.
2014 was an exception. It does not look likely to be repeated.
The last three competitions showed a trend, that otherwise had not been there. One could say they were won by local clubs. How so? The question may arise.
- In 2006. It was won by Italy. In the Scudento/Serie A, (20 of 20) 100%, were local coaches. The national team was dominated by players from Juventus. That aspect brings together a number of elements that are needed for consistent performance and success at the high level. It almost of assures excellence.
- In 2010. It was won by Spain. In the La Liga, (17 of 20) 85%, were local coaches. The national team was dominated by players from Barcelona (as much as seven in some games), and captained by the same club captain (Puyol). That aspect brings together a number of elements that are needed for consistent performance and success at the high level. It almost assures excellence.
- In 2014 in Brazil. It was won by Germany. In the Bundesliga, (13 of 18) 75%, were local coaches. The national team was dominated by players from Bayern Munich, and captained by the same club captain (Lahm). That aspect brings together a number of elements that are needed for consistent performance and success at the high level. It almost assures excellence.
It is yet to be known if the same trend has any bearing in 2018’s edition of the tournament. It looks unlikely though considering the composition of powerhouse nations and looking at their selected squads.
None comes out with this kind of a team. There are some with real top quality players, but without a star and a few with both. That is where the winner would come from.
A team without a progressive national playing philosophy will fall in the first round, although there may be an exception.
The following two rounds (Last 16 and Quarterfinals), will eliminate those who do not have both quality players and a star. It should be expected that the Semifinals will be teams with this combination and a strong one for that matter.
Simply put; no quality players and a star, no semifinal spot.
There is no reason to think that a new name will be engraved in the cup.
Looking at all the qualified teams, this would be a surprise, and a big one at that.
Hosts, Russia, will do well to go through the first round. However, being the hosts, they may surprise many by getting a bit further after that. The road will be very difficult for them, especially if they finish second in the group stages.
They will likely meet one of the powerhouses from Group B. Spain should top Group B.
Since their early exit in Brazil – where they went as defending champions but eliminated in the first round – they would want to redeem themselves like France did in 2006, after their disastrous exit in 2002 – where they had also gone as defending champions and eliminated in the first round-without even scoring a goal. France rebounded strongly and lost in the final, in Germany-2006.
For the remaining groups one would expect France and Peru, from Group C, Argentina and Croatia from Group D, Brazil and one of the other three, all of who have equal chance in Group E, with Serbia have a very slight edge; Germany and Mexico in F, Belgium and England in G and while Group H looks open. There are two teams with world cup pedigree; Colombia and Japan.
This will be an interesting competition like the one in 2010, on virgin territory. It will crown a champion in what used to be East Europe.
The only part that may not excite so much is the fact that the majority of players are players that play together/against each other, week in and week out. This alone, deprives us of surprises as we would mostly be familiar with all that they possess, as individuals.
It does look like there will be no deviation from the tradition of 56 years. Since 1962, no team has successfully defended the FIFA World Cup.
In less than 10 days the script will be narrated to all of us.
By Ziphozonke Dlangalala
