WC – ’18: Italy is out :
Italy failed to score a goal against Sweden at home despite 76 percent ball possession on Monday in the second leg of the World Cup Football 2018 European Zone play-off. It was really a costly lapse, as the four times world Champions will not be seen in action in the final round of the 21st edition of the world’s greatest show. The whole nation is now in the death procession.
Contrarily, the Swedish people have taken to the streets, dancing, singing, hugging one another, and spraying words of greetings to the their national heroes. In fact to play in the final round of the World Cup football is a dream of the world’s every nation. So, why not Sweden will joy? Their greatest prize is runners-up spot after loss to Brazil 2-5 in 1958 at home.
Italy’s world cup record is fabulous. They won the world cup four times in 1934, 1938, 1982 and 2006, became runners-up in 1970, 1994, third in 1990 and fourth in 1978. Their greatest upset was the loss to North Korea in 1966 at the group stage. On the other hand, the semifinal match between Italy (4-3) and Germany in 1970 is considered as the most thrilling match in the history of the world.
There is no doubt that Italy’s absence will to some extent diminish the attraction of the competition, but they once again proved that Football is a game of goal. Ball possession for most of the time does not guarantee victory. In 1982, Brazilian star Zico said after surprise loss to Italy, “Football is a game of goal.”
Abdullah Rahi
Pabna
Italy failed to score a goal against Sweden at home despite 76 percent ball possession on Monday in the second leg of the World Cup Football 2018 European Zone play-off. It was really a costly lapse, as the four times world Champions will not be seen in action in the final round of the 21st edition of the world’s greatest show. The whole nation is now in the death procession.
Contrarily, the Swedish people have taken to the streets, dancing, singing, hugging one another, and spraying words of greetings to the their national heroes. In fact to play in the final round of the World Cup football is a dream of the world’s every nation. So, why not Sweden will joy? Their greatest prize is runners-up spot after loss to Brazil 2-5 in 1958 at home.
Italy’s world cup record is fabulous. They won the world cup four times in 1934, 1938, 1982 and 2006, became runners-up in 1970, 1994, third in 1990 and fourth in 1978. Their greatest upset was the loss to North Korea in 1966 at the group stage. On the other hand, the semifinal match between Italy (4-3) and Germany in 1970 is considered as the most thrilling match in the history of the world.
There is no doubt that Italy’s absence will to some extent diminish the attraction of the competition, but they once again proved that Football is a game of goal. Ball possession for most of the time does not guarantee victory. In 1982, Brazilian star Zico said after surprise loss to Italy, “Football is a game of goal.”
Abdullah Rahi
Pabna
