Never in the history of FIFA World Cup the defending champions received such a humiliating defeat as Spain did today and as shown live in TV at 12.30 in Goa. It was not an ordinary defeat but a real massacre where the normal might of Spain as seen during the last 8 years was totally liquidated by the excellence of the Netherlands.
During the first half especially after scoring their goal thru penalty kick by their defender Alonso it looked Spain will easily carry the day and in fact the way they were playing it was proving that they were underestimating their opponents. Their moves and actions on the field showing that they were sure to defeat the Netherlands as they did 4 years back in the last World Cup final. But since last final and now there is lot of change in the Netherlands and that it is so they proved it in this encounter by defeating the reigning champions with a margin of 5-1 goals.
The penalty awarded to Spain by the Italian referee was absolutely right and Alonso was also right in hitting it so hard otherwise Dutch keeper would save it easily since he dived in the same corner as the ball entered the net. But the equaliser scored by Persee thru the well measured header was extremely beautiful beating the world best keeper Cassilas under Spanish bar. In fact Cassilas such an experienced and expert keeper was totally at a loss standing still like a monument watching the ball going into his net over him. Such a mighty keeper otherwise it was a pity to see him thus turning himself into a monument.
The other 4 goals scored by Robben 2, Persee 1 again and by Stephan Vrij were all exceptionally great. The second goal of Persee by snatching the ball from Cassilas due to silly mistake of Cassilas to clear the ball in time was fantastic one and the other one scored by Robben by dribbling past two defenders and Cassilas as well was an extra ordinary feat of his sprinting prowess. He, Persee and Schneider in the midfield have totally changed the game in the second half with their intelligent moves and with short passing. Finally it was a pity to see Spain surrendering so easily their normal might to the clever play makers of the Netherlands.
The first match between Cameroun and Mexico did not create much excitement as the second one but the winners Mexico were the deserving winners and winnining goal scored by their forward Peralta was worth admiring. Rogoer Millal’s Cameroun was expected to create an upset but they lacked Roger Milla's skill in their rank and for this reason they lost.
I did not watch the third match.
A. Veronica Fernandes,
Candolim, Goa.
Tel: 7507394349.