Pierre Boisrond has followed soccer and the World Cup
closely for many years and also writes for other websites. We at PWC are proud to have him as
a columnist. He will share his views about the past, present and future of
the World Cup.
Mail Pierre
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Brazil in need of the jogo Bonito
No one can imagine the World Cup without Brazil. The World Cup is
clearly associated with Brazil. Without Brazil in 2002, we will lose the
samba and the colorful display of the Brazilian fans. It is always a joy to
see the jogo bonito of Brazil. Who could forget the 1982 display by the
Brazil of Tele Santana? Who could forget the movement made by Zico when Dr.
Socrates tied the game for Brazil against Italy? The Brazilian fans would
like to see that jogo bonito again. What has happened to the Brazilian
football today?
It is quite difficult to get into the psychic of the Brazilian players
today. Somehow, the Brazilian coach needs to come with something very
special or the fans of the world won't be pleased with the Brazilian
national team. It's not a matter of winning but winning with style. It's
not matter of winning, but winning convincingly. The Brazilian players must
play with passion, the same passion that the national team showed against
Argentina in the Morumbi stadium when Brazil won 3-1. This time, when one
sees Brazil, one can attest that the players do not show any passion. In the
world of millionaire contracts, players these days seem to forget about
defending their national team. Brazil will have to face Uruguay in
Montevideo. Uruguay always seems to have the upper hand on Brazil, but this
time Brazil appears to be very vulnerable. Brazil must win this game because
they desperately need these three points. By not getting the three points,
it can be very difficult for Brazil since they will have to go to Buenos
Aires, a very hostile environment. The Argentine players do not forget the
defeat in Morumbi Stadium. Brazil will need to make a call to the higher
beings, if not the situation can become very delicate.
Let's face it; Brazil is Brazil. Brazil will make it to the World Cup. I
have faith in the ability of its players, thus I can bet my life on it. This
is how sure, I am. I cannot imagine a World Cup without Brazil. History is
on Brazil's side. When any team faces Brazil, one can imagine that this
team in question is clearly intimidated. Thus, Brazil will always be taken
seriously by any opponent. If the Brazilians can play with the same passion
that the 1970 team played, then we know that we will see the Brazilians
in Japan-Korea 2002. If the Brazilians can come with the display that they
had shown in Spain '82, then we know Brazil will be there. If the Brazilian
attackers can be followed in the footsteps of Careca, Bebeto, Eder,
Garrincha, certainly not Serginho #9, we know for sure that the auriverde
will make it.
This time is critical for Brazil, and they must not repeat the
same mistakes that had cost them the WC in 82. Unless one is a true
football fan, it will be impossible to comprehend the spectacle. In Spain
82, there were two great games France vs. Germany and Brazil vs. Italy. In
1982, I was 13 years old. One might ask, what did a 13 year old know at that
time? As a matter of fact, I followed the whole WC of 78. I was only nine
years old. That summer, I asked my parents if I could have stayed at my
aunt's place because after school, I was not going to study and I was not
about to miss anything. Needless to say that I almost failed that
scholastic year; then my dad realized the WC was the case. This summer, I
was grounded-but one thing I knew, I was able to see the Brazilian team of
Roberto Rivelino, Dirceu etc; The Argentina National team of Mario Alberto
Kempes, Oswaldo Ardiles and Daniel Alberto Pasarella; the Netherlands team
of Arie Haan, Rene and Willy van der Kerkhof. For seeing these great players
at age 9, I would have taken any punishment from my parents.
However, in Spain 1982, that was a different story, the
Maradonamania invaded Spain, but we had to wait for Mexico 86 to
really experience the MaradonaMania. In Spain 82, it was the show of Paolo
Rossi, Michel Platini, and Zico. That year, I got lucky, schools were
already closed in Haiti and this time everybody was ready to watch Brazil
vs. Italy. For myself, a supporter of Argentina, I had already been beaten by
Italy and Brazil; thus the experienced was not easy for me since I became a
laughing stock for every kid in the neighborhood who supported Brazil. When
Brazil or Argentina was playing, Haiti was shut down. My parents' home became
the national stadium in Haiti for the game Brazil vs. Italy; oh it was fun.
When the game started and Rossi scored for Italy; the Argentine
fans began harassing the Brazilian fans. For myself, I confessed that I was
not for Brazil; but the majestic plays of Zico and the soft skills of Dr.
Socrates really were a joy to watch. This is what the Brazilians fans want
today. This Brazilian team was the best Brazilian team that I've seen in my
era; when I said my era, remember that my first WC that I've followed was
78. Brazil lost this game because of defensive mistakes, but this team
should have won that World Cup. Zico was magnificent; Socrates was a
classic; Roberto Falcao, he was a magician; Eder, the free kick specialist;
the only players who disappointed me in this Brazilian WC squad was
Serginho who could not score, and the goalie, Valdir Perez who seemed to let
everything in. Brazil needs to furnish this dream team again. With players
like Rivaldo, Cafu, Roberto Carlos, Romario, Ronaldo etc Brazil can furnish
this dream team. We'll have to continue follow the WC qualifiers.
I guarantee that Brazil will qualify for WC; otherwise I
would have not risked my life for the qualification. The time is now for
Brazil to step it up so my life could be spared.
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