Digital Arsenal

Anyone who had foreseen such a dramatic World Cup final must have hidden superpowers! Congratulations to Italy for playing amazing football all throughout the knockout stage and reaching the Glory. They had a shaky start but came out brilliantly as each match progressed. The Azzuris won but this post of mine is dedicated to the God of Modern Football, Zinedine Zidane.

One moment of Anger and what could have been the best farewell for the legend turned out to be the Worst moment of his life.

Yes Zidane has disappointed me, his fans and all the lovers of the World’s most widely followed sport. Maybe Luis Figo escaped a similar act in the Portugal - Holland match but that is no way an excuse for his Head Butt right in the center of the chest of Marco Materazzi. I feel bad for him Zizou.. Too Bad actually. Right from the day France's Knock Out matches started, fans was closely following every Zizou move on the field which probably could have been his last if France bowed out but his Sheer Brilliance backed up with some highly experienced defense kept France in. Then comes July 9, 2006, the night which surely is the Last time people would see Zidane play and though almost everyone backing up Italy by mind, by heart wanted France to win simply to give Zizou a dream farewell. Arrives the 111th minute of the game, the last Red Card of the Germany World Cup 2006 and Zidane is 'sent off' from his 105 match footballing career. Sad but so true. I am pretty sure, by the time the match ended even the Italians would have had thought of asking the officials to get him back to thank him for being an ambassador of football. But rules and rules. Anger ate England when Rooney was sent off and same thing happened in the World Grand Finale. I won’t say that was the only reason France lost since Trezeguet anyways would have taken the kick but yes if that incident wouldn’t have happened Zidane might have slipped in a header or maybe a lethal pass to create the Winner in the last ten minutes of the match. Without the leader, France went haywire and was playing just to take the game to spot kicks.

The one moment of the match which surely changed the result of the game was Zizou's towering header of the Sagnol cross magically kept away by Buffon. That header reminded me of the 1998 France World cup when Zidane was at his very best. It was fast and accurate but Buffon just won’t let any ball go in. The ball has passed him twice this World cup, an own goal and a spot kick.

My Italian player of the Match would be Andrea Pirlo. He was simply outstanding with his crosses and passes. He marshaled the midfield beautifully and almost scored a goal of the free kick. He is really a master of delivering the ball to set pieces. The corner kick he took which actually resulted in Italy's only goal was one of the best corners I have ever seen.

For the French side Malouda was exceptionally good and his left flank sprints caused major panic in the Italian defense. The foul on him resulted in France’s only goal. The Zidane, Henry, Ribery and Malouda quartet had amazing synchronization.

The last thing I would want to say to the World is to forget Zidane's Last act and remember him for what he has done in the field for 104 matches and 110 minutes.

Peace.

Some Excerpts from BBC

“When one has to put up with what Zidane had to and the referee doesn't do anything, one understands. You can't excuse it, but you can understand it." – Domenech

Domenech said that Zidane regretted what had happened but refused to say if he had apologized.
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"To see him finish his career in this way is sad," said Domenech. "He has had a great career and a great World Cup.”
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It was the fourth and fifth officials looking at the video at the edge of the pitch.
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"We did not do anything. They saw it and they called the attention of the referee.
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Materazzi was not acting. He took a blow and he was hurt."

# posted by Unknown : 10:21 PM