New Delhi: On Tuesday, I know just where everyone's attention is going to be. On Brazil's first match in the 2010 World Cup against DPR Korea. Now Brazil is the only team to have played in all World Cup editions and the only team to have won it five times.
There is a difference between the Brazil that showed and taught the world a very different kind of football, and the Brazil of today. This core of players is not as spectacular as the team of 1982 World Cup with Zico, Socrates and Co but this team definitely knows how to win. Their coach Dunga believes in fitness, preparation and tactical discipline first. In fact he keeps saying that Brazil's obligation is first to win, then, score a lot of goals and only after that, does putting up a beautiful show even come into the picture. But make no mistake, Brazil still has some of the greatest of football entertainers on the field in Kaka, Fabiano, Robinho, all of whom can produce magic on the field.
I will also be watching the other team on this evening, Portugal. They have always had great players but when the real business comes, they fail to perform as a team. I still have in mind their good 1986 World Cup squad which was beaten by Morocco by three goals. It made Morocco the first African nation to qualify for the World Cup second round and that too by topping the group. That is why I always think of Portugal as under-achieving contenders of this tournament. Cristiano Ronaldo is a big star and has the technical potential to shine individually, but does he have the maturity and character to lead Portugal to the title? I doubt it.
So far, Germany has been the most impressive team in South Africa. Their new young generation of player has the rigour and discipline which the German are famous for, but they have added to that, a new attractive style of football. It all began with their 2006 coach Juergen Klinsmann, and is now being excelled under Joaquim Loew. Germany have shown a wide, tactical variety, with runs from Ozil and Khedira from deep in midfield, combined with use of the width and the flank effectively by the likes of Podolski, Miller and Lahm. Of the first lot of group matches we've seen, Argentina and Korea did well, but Germany raised the bar higher, with a brand of football which combined tactical discipline, flair, movement and composure.
I have enjoyed watching the Argentinians and their tremendous spirit. They remain as unpredictable a team as their coach Maradona. But there are still a few question marks about their tactical choices and set-up. Defensively, they looked easily unsettled with Gutierrez clearly not using the right back position. Their attack too was heavily dependant on the magical Lionel Messi's solo runs.
So after Germany's performance against Australia, I think it was Korea which put in a quality team performance against Greece, dominating and beating the former European champions with ease. It was exciting to see an Asian team performing so well at the highest level but it was also painful to see how far India's own national team is from this level. For the last four years, I have been deeply involved in Indian football and always wish that it can take some steps forwards and with them, take off.
For this to happen, we need everybody from authorities in politics to football working together hand in hand to improve the situation. So that the dream of every Indian - and I must say, my dream too – finally comes true. That dream is to see India participating in the World Cup.
(Karim Bencherifa is the Chief coach of Salgaocar FC and an expert on CNN-IBN's special World Cup show The Beautiful Game)
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