No mate, it is not because they lost out of the cup. It is because they have lost Roberto Carlos. Yes, he has been lost and retires amidst what I have seen as a shunning of this gifted left footer.
 

They disrespected Roberto Carlos on that field! Brazil themselves thought nothing of him to the point they didn’t use him.
 

So much fan fair, so much love for R10 (Ronaldinho the lie of the Cup) No love was left for Roberto, who was looked at not as a great, but as a do-boy that had to earn his right to take a shot or even run up the field.
  

I am glad Roberto has retired from International play, only for the fact that I cannot take him being treated that way. Ronaldinho should get busted in his horse tooth for leading Brazil from “A beautiful way to play” to “how much do you pay.”
  

Roberto, I promise to watch as many Real Madrid games or Chelsea if England is lucky, because “You Da Man.” You have one World Cup metal to lean back on and a Mongoose’s respect.   

Kamal de Gregory
Soccer Luminary
www.4skills.com 

Zinedine Zidane’s composure, and tenacious French defending, put a stop to Brazil’s hope of securing a sixth World Cup Championship trophy. Zidane’s smooth touch and tight control showed how great players can find other ways to turn a game even when age sets in and pace has diminished over time.

Brazil, uncharacteristically, fielded only one striker and preferred a patient holding game over their traditional joga bonito–paying the ultimate price of defeat. 

The lone goal came in the 57th min. from a Zidane free kick that found Thierry Henry, who finished from close range, with a side-foot volley, past a helpless Dida.

Brazil’s defending of the set piece was abysmal with most players deciding to hold a defensive line at the 18, allowing French players to press in unmarked on the back post. 

Brazil’s offensive play was even more atrocious though as Ronaldinho was a non-factor, and they simply could not find the space, or their rhythm, to play their beautiful game. 

Portugal defeated England in another Quarter-Final penalty shoot-out. Just like in Euro-2004, Portugal’s keeper, Ricardo showed that he is the master stopper of spot kicks. In an uneventful match, the most significant moment came in the 62nd min. when Wayne Rooney received a red card for a stamp on the groin area of Portugal’s defender, Ricardo Carvalho. The young English striker’s indiscipline—reminiscent of young Beckham in France 1998—getting the better of him at the expense of his country. With no decider coming in extra-time, it was time for deja vu as England tried to vanquish the specter of penalties past.

Simao Sabrosa converted the first spot kick for Portugal while England’s sure-fire Frank Lampard continued his misery at the penalty spot as Ricardo easily saved his effort. Portugal gave England a life line as Hugo Viana’s kick struck the post and deflected wide. Owen Hargreaves then stepped up and converted for England to bring the tallies level.

The drama continued as Petit missed for Portugal, yet England could not take advantage as Steven Gerrard’s effort was also saved by Ricardo. Helder Postiga converted for Portugal putting the pressure on Jamie Carragher to convert for England. At first, it seemed as Carragher had put the scores level; however, Carragher struck his penalty before the referee had blown his whistle, and on his second effort, England was denied once again by Ricardo. Cristiano Ronaldo finished off the contest, placing his penalty past keeper, Paul Robinson as England suffer another penalty heartbreak.

Italy defeated Ukraine 3-0 to move into the semis. Luca Toni broke his World Cup duck with a brace in the 2nd half while Zambrotta—the right back—opened the scoring early in the 1st half. Zambrotta in the 6th min. found himself in space in the attacking third and cut in on his left-foot to fire a shot past Ukraine keeper, Shovkovskyi.

The Ukraine and Shevchenko struggled throughout the game. Their best opportunity came in the 58th min, but they were denied twice in front of goal by the Azzurri. Luca Toni then exploded for two goals—finishing on a header in the 59th min, as well as in the 69th min, when he finished off a superb move started by Zambrotta deep on the end-line. Ukraine is rocked back to reality, and Italy move on to Germany 2006 glory.

The day that Shevchenko makes it to a World Cup was a day that was never to come. The young Prince fought and fought, and goal after goal, he lifted his second family A.C. Milan to amazing finishes and sure footed titles.

Now! Today! This Prince has brought his countrymen to the heights of his adopted country, Italy. Yes the war has been difficult, and Sheva himself has not won every battle; however, his ability to step up and say, “I’m first” in the PK lineup shows his team that there is strength in their Prince. That gives this Cinderella Team the courage to “Burn Rome Down!”

The Ukraine is living the dream, and the Azzurri is the Big Blue Blob that takes no form in their game, but to stand backward and absorb attacks. It will try to suck the life out of the Sheva’s band of silver-laced Rosicky styled attackers. Sheva’s band attacks with lite feet and lite weapons–the Prince himself sports a medium sword that can split an apple with utter precision.

How does this Fairy Tale end? Sheva and his merry men dance into the next round, and the evil Blue Azzurri is vanquished. 

Meditations from the Mongoose

Germany earned a heroic victory over Argentina in penalties to continue their run in the homeland. Argentina dominated most of the game and opened the scoring just after half-time in the 49th min. when Ayala headed in from a Requilme corner. All but defeated, Germany’s 2nd half substitute Borowski and Klose combined headers in the 80th min. with Klose finishing off a cross from Michael Ballack to keep German hopes alive—via the penalty shoot out—as the extra-time period went without a goal.

Feeding off the crowd and the confidence of the late equalizer, all 4 German spot kickers—Neuville, Ballack, Podolski, and Borowski—converted their penalties. Julio Cruz and Maxi Rodriquez converted for Argentina, yet Jens Lehmann made two crucial saves against Ayala and Cambiasso to send the Argentines—in much heated fashion—crashing and thrashing out of Germany 2006.

The Azzurri cannot lose to these minnows, new-comers Ukraine. Coming off two indifferent performances against the US and Australia, if the Italians do lose to Shevchenko’s side will anybody be able to sympathize with their continual whining and ill-luck?—yet the tides will turn again. Gifted with a touch of fortune—Grosso’s penalty—and a strong showing in the opening game against Ghana—it will be a return to the glory days for the Azzurri?

Carvings from the Dagger

The German striking duo of Klose and Podolski has definitely matured since their scoring hiccups against Poland in the group stages of Germany 2006. But one would venture to remind soccer savages that Germany has yet to face a difficult match—even Sweden looking far too under-par and ordinary to press for honors. It is a shame that this game against Argentina couldn’t be the Final because the Germans might then feel well-represented when they lose to Crespo and Co. in Berlin.

Carvings from the Dagger

I can’t believe that it has already been 2 days of no games…the last 2 days have been an eternity–much longer than the prior 2 ½ weeks of games…yes the Mongoose and mine own predictions were not spot on in the group stages, but Mongoose came through much better in the Round of Sixteen with Portugal his only miss pick to make it into the Quarter-Finals…Mongoose was actually only 1 better than me as I though that Spain surely had enough to make it past France, but not to be…I can’t wait until tomorrow…let the games begin again…

Carvings from the Dagger

This Asian team has the heart to fight on the world stage. They display every quality needed to compete at the highest level, except finishing.

What in the end is most important in soccer? Well, it is probably your ability to score goals.

The South Koreans lack the confidence at the highest level to put the ball away cleanly. Yes, they can fight the ball into the back of the net as they did against France. A clean flowing movement though is almost out of the question.

We as Americans are caught between these two worlds too. We fight as hard as anyone, but composure and technique need to be displayed from 30 yards in to score quality goals.

At 4skills.com we take pride in teaching these traits and techniques. Please take a look at these products that will help you, or your players improve. Try the Strikers Package and WallWork to sharpen your striking skills.

Kamal de Gregory
Soccer Skills Guru