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Farewell South Africa, see you next year

June 29, 2009 09:30 AM | Posted by   Nigel Reed  

Farewell South Africa – thanks for having us. See you next year.

The finale was fitting. Had it been the World Cup Final it would have become an instant classic. Had I been watching it at home I wouldn’t have been able to tear myself away from the screen. It was first and foremost a great game of football which had everything – drama, controversy, and a cliff-hanging climax.

The entertainment was rich and enthralling, the story lines compelling, the content gripping. Hollywood’s best writer would have been hard pressed to script this screenplay – all that was missing, from an American perspective, was the perfect Hollywood ending.

We knew it would be closer than the initial meeting but few, if any of us, thought it would quite this close. The Americans had learned their lesson well; Clint Dempsey’s opener made it interesting while Landon Donovan’s perfectly executed counter attack strike put the USA in dreamland.

Whatever Brazilian coach Dunga said during the interval or put in the half-time cuppa, I want some! The defending champions returned with a vengeance and almost immediately Luis Fabiano was able to find a way past the brilliant Tim Howard.

Goal-line controversy

From then on it was only a matter of time before Brazil would level the scores. Kaka’s header should have counted – when will FIFA embrace the available video technology to settle goal-line debates? In the final analysis it wasn’t a factor but what if Bob Bradley’s team had held out to force extra time and perhaps the lottery of a penalty shoot-out?

Kaka’s influence was again in evidence for Luis Fabiano’s second and Lucio’s powerful header completed the comeback for what, ultimately, proved a deserved third Confederations Cup title for the Samba Kings.

The Americans, who played their full part in a wonderful spectacle, were visibly distraught as the Swedish referee blew his whistle for the final time. Could this be the same Team USA which was written off as outsiders before a ball was kicked and was on the verge of meekly bowing out after leaking six goals in the opening two group games?

What have they got to be upset about? Bradley has had his critics but he and his players can come home with heads held high and plot a return to South Africa in 12 months time with proper World Cup credentials. They have found a way to be competitive and, as a result, have earned respect from fans and opponents alike.

Ultimately, the cream rose to the top and Brazil reminded us why they are not only the most successful team on the planet but also the most entertaining. The intricate ball skills, the flowing movement, the clinical finishing are a joy to behold. Who needs to defend when you can score one more at the other end?

Fantastic prelude

Luis Fabiano, with five goals, served notice to defenders everywhere he’ll be a menace next year. Kaka was not at his brilliant best but just about did enough to win the Golden Ball, and with a supporting cast featuring Robinho, Daniel Alves and the marauding Maicon, Brazil will be back next summer perhaps as World Cup favourites.

If the FIFA Confederations Cup was searching for an identity other than a World Cup test event, it found one in South Africa. It had real competition between real players with real desire in a real atmosphere.

The Rainbow Nation gave us a fortnight of colour, noise, and excitement to whet the appetite. If this was merely the dress rehearsal, I can’t wait for the real thing.

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