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July 10, 2006
Italy Prevailed... and Poor Zidane
To all soccer football fans out there, what do you think of the final match between Italy vs. France? As my personal record, this is the only match which i really watch throughout the entire World Cup 2006 fiesta (please don't throw digital rotten tomatoes on my blog), but i must say what a roller coaster ride of emotions i experienced watching the entire 120 minutes and 9 penalty kicks before Italy finally prevails as the World Cup champion title holder.
Most of the drama unfold around the French veteran star player, Zinedine Zidane, who, purportedly, is going to retire from the world of football-dom after this important match. Who would have guessed? Zidane shone in the 7th minute with a confusing bounce-in, bounce-out penalty kick which brought France a glittering hope of leading in the early game. He played his role as a remarkable mid-fielder, assisting teammates in launching an avalanche of attacks on the Italians in the second half of the game after a slow first half. Throughout his entire career until now, Zidane painstakingly built up the symbolic status of integrity and utmost respect as a legendary player on par with Pele. He was at the zenith, the epitome of his career, ready to end it all with a nice retirement and a wonderful memory etched in the history of football as well as in every football fan's mind.
It didn't turn out that way.
Hell was let loose when Materazzi, the Italian player which scored the equalizer goal for his country against France in the first half, allegedly insulted Zidane during the second OT after Zidane's wonderful header was blocked away by Buffon, Italy's star goalkeeper. Blinded by rage (that's what i think happened), Zidane gave Materazzi a headbutt in his ribcage (full report here). Maybe Zidane thought as long as the referee's eyes were on the ball he could pull the stunt without being shoved with a card. But man, this is a technological world. Video cameras were everywhere. Moreover, with a position as a star veteran player, with this game being the last one ever in his career, of course Zidane should have thought that more than one camera would be following his every action on the field. What a shame he was caught red-handed banging his head on Materazzi. Even more shame, the video was shown to the spectators in the Olympiastadium seconds after Zidane's foolish stunt. Red-carded and sent away. That was how his glorious career came to an ignominious end.
Secretly i would have wanted France to win, with Zidane at the helm of the team (i watched the game with a bunch of Italy-fanatic friends, hence the reason for secrecy). I can imagine if not for the headbutt incident, Zidane would have taken the penalty kicks with ease, judging from his ever-precise kicks. He would have greatly increased the possibility, if not turned it into a certainty, of France claiming the World Cup for the second time. He would have kissed and hold the Cup with great ecstasy in the closing ceremony. He would have announced his retirement with all the dignity and pride he has obtained. He would have been a beautiful, flawless legend.
There are so many would-have-beens.
Well, I have lamented quite a lot about Zidane's 'brain for brawn' act, but i still respect him as one of the greatest football player of all time. Not that i know a lot of great players of all time, but heck, IMHO he's good enough. At least he doesn't have any scandals or legal problems both inside and outside his career. If there's anything i find pitiful about him, it's the fact that newspaper reporters and paparazis had just found a perfect victim for 'sensational' sports coverage for the next few weeks. Poor Zidane... Here's a warm toast from me.
Cheers! and Cheerio!
Posted by peixin at July 10, 2006 11:32 AM
Comments
Anybody can lose his or her head at the spur of a moment when taunted. Just a sudden rage can make one look immature. That explains Zidane's sudden burst of rage, but doesn't justify his action.
I still respect him as one of the greatest footballers of all time. It's just a pity he ended his career on perhaps a bitter note. Wrong timing. He's still respected though.
Posted by: Khoon Yu at July 11, 2006 07:39 PM