World Cup Nonsense

[Sweder]

In an interesting experiment that you may wish to try over the next few days I adopted a second nation this evening. (It is of course very possible my fellow countrymen may be forced to follow suit some time all too soon).

I’m not alone in pouring scorn on the suggestion that England have any chance of winning this World Cup. Impassioned nationals can never be the best judge of their country’s fortunes so I decided to transfer my allegiance; tonight Matthew, I shall be A Cloggie.

Settling down to the second half of tonight’s televised match – Argentina v the Netherlands – I nailed my colours firmly to the orange mast. I’ve done this before, of course, but tonight I watched Van Basten’s men as if they were My England. Would I be as super critical of Van Nisterlrooy, Van Persey and their pals as I have been about Lampard, Beckham and Co?

I didn’t get the chance to find out.
Instead I became outraged – nae, incandescent – with what I perceived to be the constant flow of unpunished Argentinean foul play. Sure their second eleven were excellent, the Netherlands working overtime simply to keep pace with the slick passing, the dazzling turns of pace, the almost telepathic understanding linking defence with a midfield and attack that interchanged at will. But the guild of South American wizardry is tainted by their habitual skulduggery; shin-kicking, foot-treading, achillies-raking, arm-tugging – it’s all there, all the time. The Dutch (sorry Luc) tackle hard and sometimes illegally, but invariably it’s honest foul play Full-on slide-tackling, scathing tackles from behind, genuine (if occasionally posthumous) attempts to reach the ball – good honest European thuggery. Every indiscretion with an orange flavour met the blast of the referee’s whistle whilst time after time the Argies got away with premeditated micro-murder.
I felt helpless – can no-one see what’s going on???
It's like Invasion of the Body Snatchers!!! Referee! Behind you!!!

I’ve lost count of the number of commentators who have helpfully pointed out that ‘if Argentina go through any more gears we may as well give them the cup and go home.’

So long as officials apply an Emperor’s New Clothes policy to their nefarious behaviour I have no doubt they’re right.

Pass the sour grapes old boy . . .