Another World Cup and probably more surprises as more and more countries are capable of causing upsets. Gone are the days when you could almost pick out the semi-finalists. That day has gone with the game spreading across the planet like never before. Teams are tactically smart & talented be they a small country like Belgium to a giant like Brazil. Plus the media coverage is vast and if Ronaldo catches a cold the whole world knows about in less than a day.
Remember BRAZIl ’14? it came flew by and most can hardly remember the moments that shocked the world – Spain, the then world champions in the first round losing in spectacular fashion to Holland 5-1 to the final game, the final itself with Germany defeating Argentina to deservingly taking the Cup back to Berlin.
Germany set the standard both with its organization by even going to the lengths of building their hotel to create a base and then followed their top class performances throughout the tourney. Their semifinal destruction of Brazil, 5-1 was a top class performance. Not only deserving winners but great sportsmen to boot. At half time in that game recognizing the pain & anguish that their opponents were going through decided to respect their opponent by behaving in a first class manner and not make fun or take the “micky” out of them.
Remember Brazil were playing at home and if front of a full house that had come to watch Brazil win and not Germany. Sadly the heart & soul of Brazil, Thiago Silva & Neymat, were injured & not playing. A major loss of two world class talents.
So what shocks and surprises will this World Cup bring??
To my mind it is the best camp or coaching school you can attend, as you can observe some of the best players and teams play on soccer’s greatest stage – FIFA WORLD CUP.
HOW CAN YOU LEARN FROM “RUSSIA ’18?”
First get organized and prepared. Don’t wait until it starts. Get ahead by planning TV schedules and researching newspapers like SOCCER AMERICA , NEW YORK TIMES & L.A.TIMES.
Further afield try the best of British media – GUARDIAN, DAILY TELEGRAPH, The INDEPENDENT. SKY TV., BBC and FIFA.com.
You will see a ton of information from team news, formations, tactics, etc.
Identify what you want to learn more about. If its goalkeeping then there’s a whole crop of ‘keepers coming through like EDERSON of Brazil.
Learning from TV. First learn to edit the commentary as some get into trivia & emotional rants.
“Pro’s follow the play whereas fans follow the ball. When studying strikers play try to look at the big picture otherwise you get into the dreaded habit of “ball watching.”
SOME OTHER IDEAS:
- Goals 2018- Record your own highlight tape.
- SET PLAY’s – Over 50% of goals will probably come from this source.
- KEEP A JOURNAL.
- You might make it a project with a friend or with your team.
- Finally learn about its history. The first World Cup was in 1930 and the World Cup has given us classic games, great players & moments.
Good luck and Great Soccer!
