Soccer, Brazil 2014: Asia and the Middle East have little hope of "world cup" success
Sao Paulo (AsiaNews) - With the opening match between the hosts Brazil and Croatia, the 20th edition of the FIFA World Cup kicks off today, taking place - for the second time in history - in the South American nation from June 12 to July 13. The continent can thus celebrate the return of the greatest football event after the World Cup in Argentina in 1978, and celebrate the fifth ever in Latin America. 31 teams from five different international confederations will battle for victory in 64 matches.
The event has captured the imagination sports fans all over the world, in the historical heartlands of soccer such as Europe and indeed new and emerging realities in Asia. This is why, the Thai junta, the protagonist of a recent coup, has order the broadcaster which had bought the TV rights ($ 21 million) to broadcast all of the fixtures free of charge. This is one of the "fixed points" of the so-called "happiness campaign" launched by the military in recent days. Imposing controls and anti-terrorism measures, which include the use of Israeli-made drones; Brazil, with more than 10 thousand kilometers of border to be monitored, is one of the most important customers of Tel Aviv in the area of security technology.
In terms of football, Asia and the Middle East will be represented by the national teams of Japan, South Korea and Iran, together with Russia, which, however, belongs to the European Confederation (UEFA). The national team from the Land of the Rising Sun is in Group C, along with Colombia, Greece and Ivory Coast. The team, coached by the Italian Alberto Zaccheroni, might just make it through to the final stage of the event for the team. South Korea and Russia (again, an Italian coach, Fabio Capello) are in Group H, where they will face Algeria and Belgium. Finally, Iran in Group F will play against Lionel Messi's Argentina, Nigeria and Bosnia-Herzegovina.
Among the tournament finalists' hailing from Asia and the Middle East the favorite is the South Korea, on its the eighth consecutive world cup (nine in total). Since 1960 the team, nicknamed the "Reds" has established itself as the most successful and representative of the Asian continent. It is the only one to have reached the semifinals of the tournament (Korea-Japan 2002).
Japan is also one of the more competitive teams in Asia, having qualified for the last five editions of the World Cup, with some success in 2002 and 2010. Not having a real nickname, the team is usual referred to by the name of their coach; Today the most popular expression is "Zac Japan '(a diminutive of the name Zaccheroni). Among the curiosities of the Blue Samurai's, is there request for a Jacuzzi in each players room.
Iran is representing the Middle East, the team has many faces and nicknames, the most widely used of which is "Team Melli" which, at the literal level, means "the national team". The Portuguese coach Carlos Queiroz's decision to hire a second coach from the U.S. the "Great Satan", raised a cloud of criticism within the government; However, an excellent qualifying round and some public mockery toward historic rival South Korea, have made him a very popular figure. It seems that the lack of funds for the expedition to Brazil has led the greatest football authorities to prohibit the practice of exchanging shirts at the end of the match.
Russia on the other hand has no financial problems. The Russians have already participated in seven world cups under the Soviet flag and two more as the Federation. The team is coached by the Italian Fabio Capello - the kit designer (Versace) and team chefs are also Italian, with a Mediterranean menu of pasta, mozzarella and prosciutto. Russia is also the only team to have already secured a place in the next edition, in 2018, which will be held in Russia.
If the eyes of fans from around the world are focused on the inaugural match, in the rooms of FIFA (the International Federation) is playing a game more delicate and complicated game, that will mark the future of the upcoming competitions. In fact, the allocation of the 2022 games to Qatar appears increasingly in doubt, due to a financial and sports scandal linked to bribes and kickbacks. This means that the first ever might Middle Eastern edition of the World Cup could be annulled, even if the top of FIFA officials - who pay more attention to money and business opportunities than sporting ethics or etiquette - seem unwilling to call their choice into question the choice.
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