FIFA World Cup 2010 : Adidas defends Jabulani Ball, mixed reviews from players, Capello calls it the “worst”
Every four years, whenever the FIFA World Cup is about to take place, the management of the football association decides to make a football. In almost every FIFA World Cup, Pakistan takes the responsibility of sewing footballs. According to facts stated by FIFA; almost 80% of the total amount of footballs in this world, are made in Pakistan.
Pakistan has made a huge impact in the market, by making the best footballs in the world and proving it time and time again. But, this year, FIFA did not choose this country for the making of footballs. This year, they trusted France to do this job for them. One of the main reasons being: Child Labour. FIFA thinks that Pakistan uses child labour in the manufacturing of footballs.
Therefore, this year, in the 2010 FIFA World Cup, France came up with a ball named "Jabulani." Before the World Cup started, every team was given the ball to practice with, and were asked to comment on it. Sadly, none of the players who commented spoke of it in good terms.
According to Luis Fabiano [Brazilian Striker]: "A usual craftsman in Brazil can manufacture a better ball than Jabulani."
Many of the players think the ball is too fast, and cannot be controlled easily. So far, the World Cup has not experienced too many high-scoring games, except when Portugal smashed the Koreans with a 7-0 win over them. But overall it has been proved that the Jabulani ball is not a success after all.
When it was asked from football experts, whether the ball is appropriate; mixed comments were heard. A few said that since the ball can travel more than a usual football, therefore, the game is going to be quicker and high scoring. Some even said that a goal from 35m could be struck pretty easily. For now, none of the free kick takers could find the net. The reason being, the ball does not dip as a usual ball would.
England Manager Fabio Capello has slammed the Jabulani ball, calling it the “worst he has seen” and has ensured his team begin each training session with long-range passing practice in order to adapt to it. On the other hand, Portugal coach Carlos Queiroz said "We love the ball," on Monday, after his players beat North Korea.
Christiano Ronaldo [Portuguese Captain], being one of the finest free-kick-takers in the world, could not find the net in two tries. Although, he shoots the ball on target almost 70% of the time when taking a free kick.
On the other hand, Messi, who's known to be one of the finest dribblers today, can control the ball and run with it. Although, he still has to score a goal in this World Cup. Till now, he has been seen running with the ball fluently, without any problems.
When the ball was being tested by experts, before the World Cup started. It was seen that this is the roundest ball ever made. Compared to all the footballs that have been made, the Jabulani is a total sphere, thus, causing it to bounce, spin and even travel more than any other ball. Due to the same reason, many of the goal-keepers have faced issues. The goal-keeper of England, Green, conceded a goal in his first game against USA because of the same reasons. He came in the line of the ball, but the ball took a spin in his hands and crossed the goal line before he could react to it.
The same way, the South African goal keeper was dodged by the Jabulani, against Uruguay. He could see the ball move away from him and he still could not manage to stop it.
Inspite of these incidents the Adidas spokesman, Thomas Schaivkan warned all the teams before hand about all these occurrences.
He said: "We presented the technology and underlined the requirement to get used to it because it is a different ball and a different technology".
England have been training with this ball for four weeks before the tournament while on the other hand all the Adidas sponsored teams, such as, Germany, Argentina, and France used the ball extensively before the tournament.
Nike are the official ball supplier of the English, Italian and Spanish top flights and their leagues, but Adidas maintain that the Jabulani was tested in the German Bundesliga as well as the Africa Cup of Nations in January. Adidas have, however, admitted that the altitude at which many of the matches in South Africa are taking place may be partly to blame for its unpredictable nature.
Although, the Jabulani ball has taken a lot of criticism, we cannot part from the fact that the players have to survive with the same ball till 11th of July, when the final is played. Soon, when the players will get used to this ball, probably more goals will be scored.
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