Well.....it's all over. Many preached (especially the man who can't keep quiet...Cruyff) about this only being a friendly tournament and therefore of little importance....but the manner in which the tournament was played was great. This was by no means just a mere "friendly".
Nigeria came into this with high hopes of showing what Africa could do. Unfortunately, with their best player, Moses, and their ONLY striker, Emenike, both injured....they had been handicapped already. Still, Keshi can be very optimistic with what he saw. They could have and should have beaten Uruguay and if not for those injuries and better defending, they could have beaten Spain. The world also saw what Mikel is capable of doing...if only he chose a different path in his club life. Keshi has some work to do in really getting the best out of the team in order to qualify and by God's grace, compete in South America next year. He can still be happy in knowing that he is bringing back that Nigerian football back, slowly and surely. It also would not harm him looking at the much younger boys and putting them in the furnace of top class competition.
Uruguay had been struggling in qualifying and after that first match with Spain, it was very easy to see why. The team just lacked that cutting edge up front as well as the cohesiveness that made them Copa America winners and World Cup semi-finalists. As the tournament wore on though, we began to see that team. In the match against Brasil, they pushed them all the way and gave the hosts their hardest game. Against Italy, they took them all the way to penalties with Cavani finally showing up and proving why he is talked about so much. If they do qualify next year and can get that grit back with their three attacking talents showing up, they will be hard to take down.
Italy were looking to expand upon Prandelli's vision of a far more attacking unit. That ideal was cut down in Euro 2012 by Spain in the final as well as Japan and Brasil. It was good to see to them reverting back to their roots by bringing back the Catenaccio. They ought to have won that match against Spain with a better striker, but alas, Prandelli must now think of how his Italy should go forward. Is the attacking way right for this team or perhaps keeping it old-skool is the tried and trusted way.
Mexico have been in a strange decline. With too many draws, this was a chance for them to gain back some confidence. Yes, they had tough matches against Italy and Brasil...but the team has not learned how to utilize Hernandez. It was shocking that Barrera, a great winger, was left on the bench for most of the tournament. In the end, despite their win against Japan, there are still more questions that need to be answered....and here's hoping they come through their qualifying.
Japan lost all their matches, but they can come away feeling positive but there has to be some anger. They did not show up against Brasil but they let a win slip against Italy. A team that is two up have no business losing a match. Their high tempo passing was great to watch, but it was their defence that came up short. Mexico was a team that they should have beaten if only they carried that Italy performance into the game. All that is left is for Honda to make his move to Serie A and for Kagawa to know EXACTLY what kind of role he will be playing for Moyes and how well he'll be able to fit in it.
Spain came into the tournament as the favourites and they were looking to finally take home the one missing trophy in their cabinet. Despite the loss of Alonso, they carried on their style from the Euro 2012 final. They played the same exact way, but they were still winning, so there was no cause for change. It was only until the Italy match that we saw remnants of the Bayern destruction. They played the same exact way, and could hardly muster any chances...only in Extra Time when Italy tired could they find space. Then we all saw what happened in the final. One has to wonder if they will change and give Iniesta a more influential and attacking role, and play with more courage going forward. We shall see next year...
Tahiti must be commended. They are an island with a population smaller than most large cities in the world. Whatever went down, they would come away as heroes. Being able to score against Nigeria was a great achievement and one they can smile about. I have to question the rules and the idea of competition. Yes, they legitimately qualified based on New Zealand somehow failing, but watching the matches and how lopsided it was just did not feel right. It did not feel fair on poor Tahiti. But what can one do....
And finally, my brothers from another mother, the mighty Brasil. Looking at them in friendlies, I thought they were suspect. Neymar did little to excite me, and there was that lack of a cutting edge in the attack. Then the tournament began, the crowd cheered and despite the very serious concerns with the protests, the players delivered. The pressure was on, the nation expected, and they won every match and saved the best for last by handing Spain one of their most severe beatings. There is still work to be done though and Scolari has to look at that defence and wonder if a much piercing strikeforce will harm them, as well as getting even more out of Neymar and more consistency from Hulk and Oscar. I have insulted him and still don't rate him, but can Scolari really NOT give Fred a starting place next year if he is fit?
I think nobody can no longer call this tournament a friendly. It was so refreshing seeing it being played in the manner of a World Cup or regional tournament. In the end, THE footballing nation gave us a little reminder of why they are the kings of the sport.
HH
