Xabi Alonso terms Nigel de Jong's tackle as worst he ever received
The World Cup final between Netherlands and Spain was one of the most heated contests of the tournament, there were tackles flying left right and centre. English referee Howard Webb was heavily criticised for dishing out 13 yellow and one red card. The match understandably was very intensely contested and there were numerous strong challenges throughout.
After the match the Dutch team were accused by many of coming out with a mindset of being aggressive. However, the Netherlands coach Van Marwijk did defend his team. Marwijk said that all he told his team was to play beautiful football. The fact that the team in front of them was as good as Spain meant that they could not play their own game and the occasion somehow got to his players. Marwijk said that it was more nerves than aggression that caused so many rough tackles.
Spain’s Xabi Alonso has singled out one tackle from the match that Nigel De Jong made on him, De Jong while trying to clear the ball raised his foot too high and it hit Alonso straight on the chest. Alonso termed that as a “Kung Fu Kick” and said that he has not received a tackle worst than that in his career. The Dutch Midfielder’s studs went directly into Alonso’s chest leaving marks and Alonso needed immediate attention before resuming the match. The 28 year old midfielder who moved to Real Madrid from Liverpool last season said he felt the pain till long after the match, fearing that he may have broken a rib or two, that may hamper his start of the Spanish season for Real Madrid.
After the match De Jong who plays for Manchester City admitted that the challenge was not one of his best, and that he felt he was very lucky to have gotten away with it. De Jong was only handed only a yellow card, which many thought was not hard enough and he should have definitely been sent off. Alonso however did say that it was a hardly contested game and both sets of players were looking to make a name for their country. It was the biggest match for every player on the pitch and he did not blame De Jong much as he knew that it was not intentional.
The match Referee Howard Webb was under the scanner even before the match as many said that he may not have the temperament to officiate such a big game. After the match many said that Webb was overawed by the occasion and did not hold his own, if he would have let the game flown the final could have been a much better spectacle.
De Jong, who knows Webber from the English game, said that there is so much pressure on the referees and Webb is not to be blamed. According to De Jong, Webb had a more than convincing match. He said there is so much pressure on referees so they should be cut some slack. De Jong said there are so many rules and regulations that the officials have to be careful of and if they miss one here and there it should not be a big deal. De Jong was also looking forward to welcoming David Silva to Manchester City; the 2 were on opposite sides in the World Cup final. De Jong said he is very pleased with the Spaniard joining him at city and he believes that Silva will add a lot to the team. David Silva signed for Manchester City from Valencia earlier this month; he made two appearances for Spain in the World Cup. Silva was an integral part of Spanish team during the European championships in 2008.
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