The shocking exits of Argentina and Brazil even at the quarter finals stage of the World Cup are an unprecedented disaster to soccer aficionados all over the world. The decline of South American football skills was shocking beyond words.The city of joy (Kolkata) went into mourning when Brazil was knocked out by Holland. The crushing 0-4 defeat of Argentina at the hands of Germany sank the football-crazy Kolkata into unfathomable despair.
Why did the unexpected happen? "Jabulani", the ball produced by Adidas has been criticised by almost every team in the World Cup for its unpredictable behaviour. Its speed and direction of movement puzzled both the forwards and the goal-keepers. "Jabulani" has become an idiom for something or someone that is universally condemned. It is easier to 'handle' Jabulani than to 'kick' it. This peculiarity of the ball was exploited by Uruguay's Luis Suarez who used his "Hand of God" to block an otherwise certain goal for Ghana. Subsequently even Asamoah Gyan's fabled footwork could not convert the penalty into a goal for Ghana.
Argentina's Maradona and Brazil's Pele spent more time recriminating each other than in motivating their respective teams. This resulted in their mutually assured destruction. But the psychic octopus, Paul has had the final say so far. It had predicted the victory of Germany over England and also Argentina. Though born in England, this octopus is domiciled in Germany. It remains to be seen whether Paul is merely jingoistic or a soothsayer nonpareil.
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