FIFA CONFEDERATIONS CUP 2013: Rightly called the “Festival of Champions”, but off the pitch, the scenes were far from a festival

For two weeks, Brazil showcased a glimpse of what next year’s World Cup will be like, in terms of the atmosphere and the football itself. But the protests that took place off the pitch in Fortaleza and other cities that played host to matches in the 2013 Confederations Cup are a sign that Brazil as a country needs to consider social needs such as better infrastructure, which at present are not being met.

THE SELECAO’S PERFORMANCE

Brazil have now won the tournament three competitions in a row and made it clear to the footballing world that they are force to be reckoned with, despite crumbling at the quarter final stage of the 2006 and 2010 World Cups. Their 3-0 demolition of World and European champions Spain indicates that they pose a threat to some of the biggest titans in international football, such as Germany and Argentina. However, the Brazil team we saw at this tournament is not quite the finished product and is far from the immensity of the 1970 World Cup-winning team, which included the likes of Pele and Carlos Alberto; and cannot yet compare with the Seleção of the 1982 World Cup, that consisted of prominent players such as Zico and the late Socrates. Moreover, there is a hefty amount of a talented crop of young players that did not make the Brazil squad for this tournament, namely Alexandre Pato and Philippe Coutinho.  Although Leandro Damiao was named in Luiz Felipe Scolari’s 23-man squad, injury on the eve of the tournament forced the 23-year-old Internacional striker to pull out and was replaced by former Manchester City striker Jo.

Heroes of Spain 1982 and Mexico 1986: Will Scolari's 2nd Brazil team ever reach the greatness of the squads that included Socrates and Zico?

 

The old guard, as it stands is being phased out by Scolari in his second spell as Brazil manager, with Kaka, Robinho and Ronaldinho being left out of his squad. However, it can be argued that the aforementioned players will not give up the fight to make the squad managed by “Big Phil” in just under a year’s time. Although Ronaldinho in 2013 is not the Ronaldinho of 2002-2008, he is still a 2002 World Cup winner, who under Scolari, helped the Seleção clinch their record 5^th World title in South Korea/Japan. If included, his experience could be pivotal in helping the current crop of Brazil’s youngsters in putting their names in the history books and sealing a 6^th win of football’s most sought-after trophy.

As a whole, this united Brazil in terms of national pride, during a time where there are on-going protests in over 90 cities nationwide.

LA ROJA’S MISSED OPPORTUNITY

Aside the hosts, Spain, who have won the previous two European Championships and the 2010 World Cup, were well on their way to “Completing the Set” by winning the 2013 Confederations Cup. Their passing game was both praised and criticised, with some people claiming Vicente del Bosque’s philosophy as being “boring”, although many at the same time made no secret that they were fond of La Roja’s “exciting” style of play.

Such was their ball possession solid, Uruguay’s striker Luis Suarez made no secret of how difficult it is to play a team of Spain’s calibre. “It is very difficult to generate any kind of danger when you don’t touch the ball” said Suarez. The Uruguayan number 9 added, “Spain are the best side in the world. They are a candidate to win the World Cup”.  And so they are, with midfield greats such as Xavi, Iniesta and Busquets forming the core of La Roja’s astonishing “tiki-taka” style of play, and attackers such as David Silva, Fernando Torres, Juan Mata and when played as a “False 9”, Cesc Fabregas regularly finishing created chances. Jordi Alba once again proved that he is the perfect replacement for Joan Capdevila and with Spain’s Under-21 squad winning the U-21 European Championships last month, the future seems bright for La Roja.

But what went wrong in the final? That is a question that many football fans have been left trying to answer, after Scolari’s Brazil crushed del Bosque’s star-studded Spain 3-0 in an exuberant, packed Maracana stadium, located in the heart of Rio de Janeiro.  Once Neymar and Fred had scored the first two goals of the final, it looked as if it was game up for Spain. There was a reason for that. Their passing was poor from the first minute, right up to the last minute, with so many balls being given away and in addition,   almost every player looked drained of energy throughout the duration of the match. Brazil worked hard all-game long and threatened the Spanish on every move. Usually, one would expect Spain to apply 100% effort in order to retain the ball, but this didn’t seem apparent within the match.  A famous cliché “Goals change games” may have been realised had Sergio Ramos not missed from the penalty spot. Gerard Pique’s  foul on Neymar was bizarre and he was rightly sent-off by Bjorn Kuipers, the Dutch referee.

Although the scoreline was humiliating, this may be just a blip for Spain, whose 29 competitive match unbeaten run that spread from their 2^nd group game in the 2010 World Cup, was ended in Rio de Janeiro.  

PAYING RESPECT TO TAHITI

 The Tahitians conceded 24 goals during the tournament, but even when they were well and truly knocked out of the tournament by Spain in a monstrous 10-0 defeat, their fans still gave a wonderful amount of support and took national pride in the fact that a small nation from the Polynesian islands was represented at a tournament dubbed as the “Festival of Champions”. They scored just 1 goal throughout the tournament, but that was something that brought about a smile on almost every Tahitian fan. A heartfelt gesture among many a football follower was when each Tahitian player presented a necklace to the Spanish footballer they first shook their hand with, before they were demolished by Vicente del Bosque’s astonishing team.

THOSE WHO ENTERTAINED US

The list of talent on display at the 2013 Confederations Cup was endless. Uruguay’s deadly trio of Diego Forlan, Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani were a danger to every team they were playing; Spain, as customary played beautiful football in a team that included many a superstar; and Brazil’s young and talented side stunned opposition fans and Brazilian fans themselves throughout the tournament. In addition, Gianluigi Buffon and Iker Casillas once more proved that they are still two of the world’s best goalkeepers.

But the one player who definitely grasped everyone’s attention this tournament was Neymar. Following his £50 million move from Santos to Barcelona, there can be no doubt whatsoever that the pressure on him to perform at this year’s Confederations Cup was immense. And did he perform. In 412 minutes of playing time, he scored 4 goals and attained 2 assists, with his first goal being the goal of the tournament and one that gave Barcelona’s rivals a warning of what he can do at his best.  One statement spoken of at large amongst many a football fan regarding Neymar was:  “He’s overrated”. Many have now retracted this opinion, citing that the tournament’s Adidas Golden Ball winner left them on the edge of their seats and that he is someone that will be a major superstar in La Liga, as well as in the Champions League.  Barcelona have had several wonderful Brazilian players in years that have gone by, including Romario, Rivaldo and Ronaldinho, who are all previous World Cup winners, winning the La Liga with the Catalan club too. Only time will tell whether Neymar will be a double winner like the players/ex-players mentioned, on such conditions (winning the La Liga and World Cup).

Former Lyon striker Fred performed amazingly at the 2013 Confederations Cup, and arguably, his best performance was in the final, in which he scored 2 goals. Fred knows that it is extremely unlikely that he’ll be the best player in the world, but that will not prevent him from performing at his very best in order to make Scolari’s 2014 World Cup squad.

Despite a dreadful defeat to Brazil in the final, Spain still played spectacular “tiki-taka” football. Barcelona midfield duo Xavi and Andres Iniesta played amazing short and long passes, as well as through balls which led to chances and the assisting of goals alike. According to FIFA’s official Confederations Cup statistics (presented by Castrol Index),  Iniesta had an average 86.8% pass completion rate in all five of his matches, throughout the 404 minutes he played in Brazil.

Xavi also performed at peak quality at the 2013 Confederations Cup, and at times was unplayable when partnering with Barcelona teammate Iniesta in midfield. In January 2014, Barcelona’s vice-captain will turn 34 and could be at the twilight of his career. What brings about a major surprise is that after Spain’s Euro 2012 triumph, Xavi admits that he nearly retired from international football, only for boss Vicente del Bosque to tempt him away from making such a decision . He is most definitely determined to mend this humiliating defeat to Scolari’s potentially 2^nd great Seleção team and help Spain clinch a 2^nd World Cup.

PUBLIC VIOLENCE IN BRAZILIAN CITIES

Off the pitch, civilian protests regarding the fact that there is not enough investment into education and infrastructure by the Brazilian government, as well as the existence of corrupt politicians turned unsavoury due to the fact that police have had to use tear gas and rubber bullets to reduce the violence caused by the people involved in these demonstrations. However, these people are by all means entitled to cite what they need, in order to improve their social lives in Brazil.

People have criticised the fact that there is more attention towards the World Cup and not towards eradicating corruption, providing efficient transport and improving education. In the long term, the World Cup will be economically beneficial for the Brazilian government, although for now they must ensure that they improve the disadvantaged political, infrastructural and social issues that are apparent at present in whichever way possible.

Worldwide, people are concerned whether or not the World Cup will be held in Brazil this time next year. It is possible that the world’s biggest football contest will be held in a year’s time, but just as South Africa faced difficulties in preparing for the 2010 World Cup, so does Brazil, only that they are better prepared than South Africa were, in the year leading up to the first international football world championship held in the African continent.

 

All in all this tournament was one to remember for the right reasons and if Brazil are prepared in time for the 2014 FIFA World Cup, then this, without question, will pave the way for a wonderful contest that will kick off on the 12^th June 2014.  There are more players that are bound to thrill and excite fans next year and those that will be physically dangerous to play against in terms of club football from now until they leave for World Cup duty in 11 months’ time. What many have learned this year is that the Seleção are trying to prove something – they are worthy of lifting a 6^th World Cup title on 13^th July 2014.

 

IN A NUTSHELL:

·         The Confederations Cup of 2013 was a spectacular sporting event

·         Brazil are out to prove that they can compete against some of the world’s best, again

·         Spain’s defeat in the final was just a glitch and there is no need for them to make drastic changes

·         Neymar made the most of the pressure on him to perform

·         Brazil faces problems to host next year’s World Cup, but can improve its current situation

 

CREDITS:

Statistics: BBC Sport and FIFA (in association with Castrol Index)

Photos: Who ate all the pies,  Politics and Poverty, CNN (International Edition), The Telegraph, Coha.org

Selecao special lettering: Wikipedia