Samba magic is back
IT was the past rather than the present which favoured the Brazilians before the World Cup. Those grand dreams of the Penta seem almost ridiculous as qualification for the trip to the East seemed like a bridge too far. But the unthinkable was avoided as Brazil won their do-or-die last qualifier against Venezuela. The entire world heaved a collective sigh of relief.
The critics were still caustic. Early flight home, they predicted in the same breath as sung praises for the likes of France, Argentina and England. But soon the sceptics were hiding for cover. Sixteen goals in five games and not to miss that trademark fast and attacking brand of football.
Still not ready to eat their words, the critics mostly Europeans now pointed fingers to Brazil8217;s porous defence. Brazil proved them wrong again and that too is style.
Against the English in the quarter-finals after Ronaldinho made the veteran David Seaman looked like fumbling novice, the Brazil stoutly defended their citadel particularly playing with 10 men for almost 30 minutes.
Now comes their last challenge. Is this the greatest team ever? For that they have to match that famous team of 70s which had the likes of Pele, Jairzinho, Carlos Alberto and Rivelino.
The current squad no doubt has brought back fond memories of that legendary side which enthralled the world. They have the flair, the superstars and the charisma too. Luis Felipe Scolari8217;s Brazil have all in them to regain their crown lost at the Stade de France four years ago.
The undying resolve
8220;BEST team don8217;t always win the World Cup, otherwise Brazil would have won it 14 times, not just four.8217;8217; That8217;s the self-confessed Brazil fan / German coach Rudi Voeller8217;s for you. What he meant here was though Brazil might play the beautiful game, his team8217;s percentage game read robotic can still win the final.
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The road to Japan/Korea for Germany was bumpy like their final opponent. The triple world champions made it to the finals with a 5-2 aggregate demolition of Ukraine in the play-offs last November and went on to thrash Israel 7-1 in a friendly in February. But the relief after the Ukraine games and the goal spree against Israel have not masked concern that the troubled heavyweights nearly missed out on the World Cup for the first time since 1950.
But they have surpassed their own hopes courtesy of a great team spirit and are in the finals for the ninth time. By Voeller8217;s own admission they are not the best team in the tournament, but they weren8217;t in 1954 and 1974 when Germany won the titles. Their run to the 1990 title was also shaky and they needed a penalty to overcome Argentina in the Rome final.
Voeller, who took over from Erich Ribbeck in the wake of that failure, first restored hope and then helped the side regain confidence. Started on a whirlwind fashion with a 8-0 rout of Saudi Arabia, but afterwards proceeded slowly and steadily. It seems the legendary German fighting spirit and the urge to hang on is back. Maybe, Germany lack the glamour yet it is a disciplined side who can frustrate their opponents with their laid-back approach. The final should show whether the traditional heavyweights are a merciless, if not spectacular, winning machine again or if they were just lucky to have got this far.
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Defence
Surprisingly, the defence is doing really well, particularly after the England match. The Brazilians defended their citadel in the most accomplished manner. But they cannot afford to slip against an unpredictable German attack by Miroslav Klose.
Overlapping Cafu and Roberto Carlos must ensure that they quickly regain their position after the counter-attacks. Klose, who has five goals under his belt, hasn8217;t scored in the knock-out stage is due for something special.
Mid-field Story continues below this ad Return of Ronaldinho will definitely boost the mid-field. Instrumental in Brazil8217;s 2-1 win over England, he piloted the four-time winners into the final with gem of a goal. Against Germany, Ronaldinho will have to put in that extra effort to neutralise the Germans in the middle. Support will come from wingers Cafu and Carlos with tackling specialist Kleberson close on the heels to win the ball.
Attack
Without doubt, the best in the tournament. The razor-sharp attacking duo of Ronaldo and Rivaldo can put any defence under scrutiny.
Between them the duo have shared 11 out of Brazil8217;s 16 goals.
It would be interesting to watch if the Brazilian attack would break free or crash against the German wall manned by the ever agile Oliver Kahn.
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Defence
If Brazilian attack has hogged the limelight, German8217;s tight defence has been their hallmark in the tournament. The Germans have conceded only one goal. Skipper Oliver Kahn would be the man to test. The Bayern Munich custodian is in tremendous form. Two great matches against South Korea and the US have put him in the race for the Golden Ball award. He8217;s an excellent shot-stopper, very athletic and, above all, is a sure-hander when dealing with crosses. As captain, he organises his defenders effectively and provides the leadership.
Mid-field
German mid-field has lost its sheen because of the suspension of creative medio Michael Ballack. The Bayer Leverkusen star even scored goals in Germany8217;s last two matches. Coach Rudi Voeller will have to dig deep into his resources to find a suitable replacement for him. Either Sebastien Deisler or Dieter Hamann could be the right choice. And, of course, Jeremies, Frings and Schneider complete the line-up.
Attack Story continues below this ad Still lack the firepower. With Klose not in the right frame of mind, German attack lacks penetration. And remember, it was Ballack who came to the team8217;s rescue against the US and Korea. Voeller hasn8217;t tried the old war horse Oliver Bierhoff after the league match, while Carsten Jancker has been patchy. Oliver Neuville is likely to pair with Klose in the attacking third.
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Big Phil8217;s big day
LUIS Felipe Scolari became the most jeered coach after Brazil almost failed to qualify for the World Cup last year. Scolari, who took charge of Brazil in June 2001, believed there is no room for the flowing, artistic football which made Brazil the greatest admirer around the world. Instead, he believed in the hard tackles and an ultra-defensive game.
But surprisingly, Big Phil reverted back to the popular Brazilian theory in the World Cup. Free-flowing attack became the be-all and end-all of Brazilian strategy which brought back fond memories of the great side of 1970s. Football8217;s finer arts didn8217;t encourage him initially. Many thought Scolari would adopt a defensive strategy. But then, he judiciously blended defence and attack. So, when Brazil eye their fifth World Cup crown, Scolari will rely on his potent strike force.
Scolari didn8217;t include Romario in his squad; he even ignored Brazilian President Fernando Henrique Cardoso8217;s request. And today, Big Phil has proved himself right.
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Can coach Rudi win?
Rudi Voeller has a great asset in his immense popularity, which dates back to his playing days, when he was the typical poacher who often lifted Germany out of tight spots. Against Brazil in the final on Sunday, Germany would require a similar effort from Voeller who is on the verge of emulating German legend Franz Beckenbauer 8212; World Cup winner as a player and a coach.
A true fighter in the great German tradition on the pitch and a cheerful, approachable character off it, Voeller won during his playing career 8212; the World Cup with Germany in 1990 and the European Cup with Marseille in 1993. Story continues below this ad Initially, Germany wasn8217;t the overwhelming favourites. But now Now the German fans count on the unassuming 41-year-old to restore the football-mad nation8217;s pride on the pitches in the World Cup.
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4 min read 
