A.T.M. Nurun Nabi :
The 22nd edition of the World Cup Football, the greatest show on earth, will begin from November 20 in Qatar with the match between the host and South America’s Ecuador. Thirty-two countries and regions divided into eight groups of four will contest in the month-long football tournament.
Football is the game of goal. Brazilian star Zico said it after surprise defeat in the hands of eventual champions Italy in 1982. At one stage the South American side were leading 2-0. They were so sure of victory that the players began displaying gallery show instead of victory. Brazil made similar mistake in 1986. Superstars like Socrates and Julio Cesar missed the penalties to contribute to the team’s exit. A former Germany football team coach said, had the gallery show been the criteria of victory, Brazil would have won the World Cup every time.
In 1954 eventual Champions West Germany lost to Hungary 3-8 at the group stage before beating the same team in the final by 3-2 in Bern to prove that football is really the game of goal.
Asian Champions Qatar have been placed in Group A with Ecuador, Holland and Africa Champions Senegal. Holland are almost certain to sail as group champions. But it is hard to predict as to which team will be the runners-up. Group B has Europe Runners up England, Asia No. 1 Iran, North America Champions the USA and Wales. It is interesting to say that both England and Wales are the two regions of the United Kingdom and can qualify from the said group.
Group C is consisted of South America champions Argentina, oil rich Saudi Arabia, Mexico and Poland. The last named finished 3rd in 1974 beating Brazil. Group D comprises defending Champions France, Denmark, Australia and Tunisia. It needs to mention that Oceania country Australia are representing Asia with little chance to land in the round of 16. Group E gets Costa Rico, four times Champions Germany, Spain and Japan. Germany will do their best to forget their 2018 nightmare of disgraceful defeat to South Korea by 0-2 goals. Spain’s tiki-taka technique is no more a useful technique against speedy football.
Group F comprises Belgium, Canada, Morocco and Croatia. The last two names are almost certain to land in the next round. Group G has highest five times World Champions Brazil, Serbia, Switzerland and Cameroon. Many may think that Brazil will easily qualify from this group, and are hot favourites to regain the title after 20 years. For this, Brazil need extraordinary footballer like Garrincha to come back. Garrincha guided Brazil to win the World cup in 1962.
Group H comprises Portugal, Ghana, Uruguay and South Korea. Uruguay won their last World Cup title in 1950 upsetting Brazil by 2-1. Argentina, Brazil and Germany have been drawn on the same track, which proves defective draw.
