Friday, June 25, 2010

World Cup: Match 41 - Paraguay vs. New Zealand

0-0. I almost watched this one but opted for Italy-Slovakia for the chance to hang out with my dad. How right he was...

On the draw, Paraguay advance and win the group, while New Zealand exits without losing a match. Three ties and everyone is talking about how proud New Zealand will be of their performance. Rubbish! Just because New Zealand is a small island nation doesn't mean they don't want to win, that they don't dream big. I am getting so frustrated with all the Euro-philia going around. Everyone is so into big teams like England, France, and Italy that they think previous victories somehow make your team better. The only thing a World Cup title does change is the fans expectations! It has absolutely no bearing on the quality of your team! Just look at France, self-destructing because they "under-performed." France did not under-perform at all. They just suck! Unfortunately, they thought they were very good, so their realignment with reality was absolutely brutal. England also did not under-perform. They are a bad team. Lucky for them, they have so much raw individual talent that they managed to pull through.

Whatever your convictions about the quality of these big-name sides, please just stop patronizing the little guy. New Zealand is disappointed not to go on, not thrilled to have drawn all their games...

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