Biggest Shocks at The World Cup so far
The world Cup has produced a number of upsets or, in other words, surprising results this year. Although, when 32 of the World's best teams come to play at the same tournament, one would think it wasn't surprising when a relatively weaker team beats another which is relatively stronger. But, since most of the World Cup audience is ignorant to all other teams but their own, the shock value is there anyway.
Italy has perhaps been the biggest disappointment of the tournament so far. The World Cup holders, and four times champions, have bowed out of the tournament without even reaching the knock-out rounds which is frankly pathetic. The team appears to have lost it's cutting edge up front with the retirement of Francessco Totti, and the exclusion of Del Piero from the World Cup squad. Giladino and Iaquinta failed to inspire a truely mediocre Italian side that failed to impress in any of its 3 matches in the competition. That, in addition to, injury to Andrea Pirlo meant that the Italians finished at the bottom of a group that contained teams such as Paraguay, Slovakia and New Zealand.
Italy are ranked above all of those teams, and indeed most teams in the tournament, which points perhaps to the inaccuracy of the FIFA rankings. The Italians are infamous for diving/cheating their way into the next round, time and again, but this time it seems they have even regressed at doing that too. All in all, a good thing for football, as the boring defensive style that Italy employ and their play-acting will not be missed at all.
Another 'big team' that has been eliminated in the group stages is France. Although a poor showing at the European Championships should have been enough of an indicator towards a French side that is failing to live up to its glorious past, fans and critics alike still expected France to at least qualify from their group but it was not to be. The French were eliminated from the tournament, having scored only 1 solitary goal against the South Africans in the final game. Add to that, reports of in-fighting and constant tension have worsened the situation to such a degree that the French President has demanded an explanation from one of the senior players, Theirry Henry.
Lastly, the host nation South Africa became the first country to not qualify for the knock out rounds of the World Cup on home soil. Although, the African side managed to add some grace to their elimination by beating the former World Champions, France, their elimination raises questions about the FIFA rule which lets home nations qualify automatically for the World Cup.
In 2006, the home nation Germany reached the Semi Finals and eventually won the third place play-off to secure a very performance in the tournament. In 2002, South Korea reached the Semi finals of the tournament, and Japan managed to qualify for the knock-out rounds. France went one step further in 1998, when they beat the mighty Brazil in the final to lift the trophy.
Despite being one of the lower ranked teams in the tournament, South Africa were expected to use their home advantage to help them qualify from the group stages. A strong performance in the opening game meant that they had a chance to reach the next stages but a humbling defeat to eventual group winners Uruguay, effectively sealed their elimination from the tournament.
As the tournament enters the knock-out round, many more shocking results are likely to come by since only one team can lift the trophy. A number of dark horses, such as South Korea, Ghana and Japan, made their way past the group stages and neutrals will be hoping they give some of the so called 'big teams' a run for their money.
Tags: