Goan Legends from L to R: Franky Barreto, Derrick Pereira, Alvito D'Cunha, Bruno Coutinho, Savio Medeira, Alex Ambrose
World Cup. There is nothing like World Cup Football..!
I have been following and watching World Cup (on television) since 1986, and I have some super memories of every edition.
Well, who can forget stunning moments such as Maradona’s solo magic and his Hand-of-God goal in 1986, Roger Milla’s trademark dance in 1990, Bebeto-Romario’s ‘baby rocking celebration’ and Roberto Baggio’s flying penalty in 1994, Zidane’s bolting headers in the ’98 final, Ronaldo-Ronaldinho-Rivaldo’s revelation in 2002, Zidande’s infamous head-butt in the 2006 final, Iniesta’s extra-time goal in 2010, Luis Suarez’ ‘cannibal bite’ and Brazil’s humiliating 7-1 defeat in 2014.
Not sure about the rest of you but I pretty much live details of my life around what happened at each World Cup.
2018 World Cup will see some of the best players in the world gracing the stage in Russia.
WHO DO YOU THINK WILL BE CHAMPIONS?
With 32 teams taking part, it can be difficult to predict a winner.
Everyone knows that the list of clear favorites or challengers at every world cup is usually about top footballing nations; there are always a few dark horses in the running too.
So far only 8 teams have managed to win the FIFA World Cup, in which 3 teams – Brazil (5 times), Germany and Italy (4 times each), make a combined total of 13 out of 20.
History tells us that Uruguay and Argentina - with 2 titles each - have won the World Cup twice while England, France and Spain complete the winner’s table with 1 title each.
The fact, that only teams from Europe and Latin America have managed to win the Cup, shows the monopoly of superpowers in world football.
As in previous editions, one of the most hotly debated topics is whether there would be a new team to lift the most prestigious trophy in the world of football.
Goan Legends from L to R: Avelino Dias, Arnold Rodrigues, Tiago Fernandes, Sarto Baptista, Brahmanand Shankhwalkar, Seby Coelho
GOAN LEGENDS PREDICT THE WINNER
Most experts and pundits world over predict a champion either in Brazil, Germany, Spain or France, with some ‘super computers’ claiming Germany will retain the World Cup.
SOME of Goa’s legendary footballers, while sharing their hopes of seeing India play in the World Cup someday, predict the Winner of Russia 2018 on their own basis – ‘defended’ with justified REASONS:
Brahmanand Shankhwalkar – Goa (Former India, Panvel & Salgaocar legend; First Goan footballer to receive Arjuna Award)
Champion: Brazil
Reason: Brazil are perhaps still recovering from the humiliation they suffered at the hands of Germany in their 7-1 defeat last World Cup; they will come back super strong in Russia and prove themselves.
Derrick Pereira – Goa (Former India, Tata/Salgaocar icon; Former Coach of Vasco/Mahindra/Salgaocars/Pune/Churchill/FC Goa; newly appointed Technical Director of FC Goa)
Champion: Germany
Reason: The team that plays attractive football has always been my favorite at every World Cup. 2010, I enjoyed Spain winning. Last World Cup it was Germany, not because they won but the way they won it - playing attractive football.
World Cup 2018, my favorite is still Germany because of their flair and strength.
Savio Madeira – Goa (Former India/Salgaocar legend/National Team Coach and current AIFF Technical Director)
Champion: Brazil
Reason: Brazil will surely try to make amends for their semi-final loss last World Cup. Also, they are in great competitive form under coach Tite; they have a good balanced side compared to last World Cup.
Franky Barreto – Dubai, UAE (Former India, Churchill Bros/Salgaocar/East Bengal/Vasco Club defender; Association of Indian Football Coaches (AIFC) representative for Middle-East Region)
Champion: France
Reason: France will ‘surprise’ everyone this World Cup. They have a great set of players that can make this possible. Surprise because, I don’t think anyone will rate France to win the World Cup other than Germany, Brazil, Spain or Argentina.
Bruno Coutinho – Goa (Former Indian football team captain and Goan superstar - Director (coaching) - Sports Authority of Goa; Arjuna Award Winner)
Champion: Brazil
Reason: Brazil is one of the fastest, most technical and youngest of the participating teams. With world class players that they possess, Brazil will always be in contention to win the World Cup.
Jules Alberto Dias – UK (Former India, Salgaocar/Mahindra/Vasco Club/Fransa Pax star; Association of Indian Football Coaches (AIFC) representative for UK)
Champion: Germany
Reason: The Germans are well organized as a team and technically and tactically well balanced.
Alvito D’Cunha – Culcutta/Goa (Former India, East Bengal, Salgaocar & Sesa star; East Bengal's brand ambassador and Technical Director)
Champion: Brazil
Reason: I can see the old samba brand of football in the current Brazilian squad.
win the World Cup.
Arnold Rodrigues – UK (Former Goa, Panvel/Salgaocar legend)
Champion: Belgium
Reason: Belgium will play Panama,Tunisia and England, so will definitively succeed in the group phase. They certainly have a strong squad to do so! Without going into too much detail, I’d compare this squad to one of the teams that won the World Cup in the past. Yes, Belgium are top contenders!
Goan Legends from L to R: Jules Alberto, Lector Mascarenhas, Juze Siddi, Lawrence Gomes, Michael Gomes, Robert Fernandes
Lector Mascarenhas – Goa (Former India, Goa & Dempo legend; Assistant Director, Goa Unit - Directorate of Revenue Intelligence)
Champion: Belgium
Reason: The fact that the World Cup is being held in Russia, gives the European countries an advantage due to weather conditions. As such, I would like to exclude Brazil.
I want to discard Germany because winning 2 consecutive world cup titles is very rare; those days are gone when Brazil won it in 1958 and 1962.
I would say this time it would be Belgium!!!! The team is full of stars such as Eden Hazard, Kevin De Bruyne, Lukaku, etc. Last World Cup, Belgium lost to Argentina in the quarter finals by 1-0. They were young and inexperienced then but now they are mature and ready!!!
Also, you need stars to win World Cups, Kevin De Bruyne will be the man to watch.
Alex Ambrose - Mumbai (Former Salgaocar/FC Mumbai/Air India striker & Assistant Coach of Mumbai City FC in ISL)
Champion: Argentina
Reason: I believe Argentina is one of those teams with a group of young and experienced individuals. If this combination blends in the right way, then they would be unstoppable... and of course they have the ‘God of football’ Messi on their side.
Sarto Baptista – Kuwait (Former Goa, Junior India/ Mandovi Shipyard/ Vasco Club/ Salgaocar striker)
Champion: Brazil
Reason: Brazil has a balanced side and most of their players play in Europe.
Michael Gomes – USA (Former Goa, Salgaocar & Vasco Club striker)
Champion: Russia
Reason: The Russians are meddling in every competition (election) across the world; it can be a cakewalk for them to compete in the World Cup and influence the outcome of results in their own backyard😏.
Lawrence Gomes – UK (Former India/Goa/Salgaocar star)
Champion: Brazil
Reason: Brazil will win because they have the best team among the 32 participating nations.
Tiago Fernandes – Kuwait (Former Goa, Vasco Club/Salgaocars star):
Champion: Spain
Reason: Spain has a great team and most of their players play for Barcelona and Real Madrid, two of the top teams in the world. They will lift the Word Cup 2018.
Roberto Fernandes – Goa (Former India, Salgaocar defender; GFA coach)
Champion: Argentina
Reason: Argentina will win the World Cup b'coz the most powerful player on earth Messi plays for them; he will be hungry to win the only trophy that he has not won so far.
Avelino Dias – Kuwait (Former Goa Juniors, India Juniors and Salgaocar goalkeeper)
Champion: Brazil
Reason: Brazil players are in good form and their coach is excellent. All the world cups that Brazil won are due to individual brilliance, am sure Neymar will show his brilliance this World Cup.
Seby Coelho – Cayman Islands (Former India, MRF/Churchill Bros/Sesa/Salgaocar/Vasco Club star)
Champion: Brazil
Reason: The current Brazilian team is a hungry young side; they run a lot. Moreover, all players play for top clubs in the world. That’s why I rate them favorites to win World Cup 2018.
Juze Siddi – Pune / Goa (Former India, Goa, Salgaocar goalkeeper; current Head Coach – DSK Shivajians, Pune)
Champion: I will go with Germany.
Reason: Young and experienced side.
Gasper Crasto - Kuwait (former Goa / Salgaocar striker; writer of this article)
Champion: Portugal
Reason: Initially, my prediction was England ‘coz all their players play in the toughest league in the world – the English Premier League; if it is anyone, they have the nerve to win big. But as usual, they will go home in the knockouts with some bizarre result.
No matter why, whenever PORTUGAL plays, most of us feel Goa is playing! Perhaps it’s our distinct connection and identity with Goa's former colonial ‘cousins’.
Portugal is one of those teams who can defeat any other team in the world. They are, after all, the reigning European champions; and that experience is going to help them in Russia.
The current Portuguese team has a golden generation of players. Most importantly they have Cristiano Ronaldo who is a master in scoring goals and winning trophies.
Yes, I ‘believe’ Portugal will go all the way.
Well, it is ‘easy’ to tell the winner after an event, but it’s a great feeling trying to figure out who’s going to win -- that is ‘hard’.
PREDICT YOUR OWN ‘WINNER’, YOU HAVE NOTHING TO ‘LOSE’..!
[The above article was exclusively written in Konkani for the Goan Weekly – Fuddari & published in the last issue].