Eighth finals

Tough round… and we’re out :S

Mexico was up against (1) an Argentina not at its strongest and (2) an outdated rule in which referees are not able to check a tv repetition when there’s doubt —Argentina ‘scored’ a goal that should’ve been nullified with an offside. England had the same issue earlier the very same day —a goal that entered but bounced back and was not counted. I think both teams were discouraged, were affected from it, and were eliminated. I don’t intend to diminish the performance of the strong contenders they faced, but it is in my opinion that these ‘little’ decisions are the ones that off-balance a game.

That aside, I think Mexico’s biggest enemy is itself. I have yet to see them play as a ‘team’. Our greatest loss of this match is not of being eliminated from the tournament, really, but of not seeing our real weaknesses, learn from them, and correct them. We will never get beyond eighth finals if we never play as a team but choose to play in our individualities —if that were the case, the game wouldn’t require eleven players. In the course of the tournament, there were clear opportunities to score a goal by passing it to another teammate; but no, they want the whole play for themselves. This is something that not only Mexico has to work on, but several other teams as well.

I wish that offside didn’t happen —and also the absurd pass of the defense player to the opponent’s offense which caused another goal. I wish they didn’t happen not because they obviously contributed to our loss but because now that’s all we will focus in. Sadly, we will go on and on and on bickering for years about the injustice of that referee call, about the bad pass, about the coach’s choice of players… OMG, the commentators could not stop talking about it! We will forever be blinded by these specific events and not see that we need to improve our game and not depend on others’ decisions and others’ benefit of our mistakes; because that’s where our true talent lies: blaming it on others and not assume responsibility.

Earlier that day, Germany and England played the best match of the Cup so far —of the ones I’ve watched. Both teams really play as teams, and it was a delight to see a game well played. There were mistakes —as in all games— and yes, a disastrous referee call against England. And, wow, the 1966 infamous goal repeats itself 44 years later with the same contenders; this time, the decision goes the other way. How odd —especially that nothing has been done technology-wise to solve these controversial events after so many years; they might as well still be playing with a rubber ball…

All in all, even though I root for some teams —especially to get in the excitement of the Cup—, I foremost root for a match well played :)

And tomorrow’s another day. Spain is up against Portugal, a strong contender, too. I have still to see Spain at full capacity, and I hope tomorrow’s the day… ¡¡Arriba, España!!

^{I know I get too effervescent, intense, and opinionated with this, and thus why I only follow this every other world cup —I already have a world-cup overdose as is!}

See more progress on: follow the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa