Luis Suarez dominated the headlines for all the wrong reasons as Uruguay secured their place in the knockout stages of the World Cup with a 1-0 win over Italy.
Suarez is accused of having bitten Giorgio Chiellini, a truly disgusting act if true. All the video and photo evidence is very damning, although the Uruguayan FA are reportedly claiming that pictures have been doctored and are adamant their striker didn't do it!
The worst part about the whole thing isn't what he has actually done. It was a truly horrific act of stupidity from the Liverpool striker and deserves a lengthy punishment, but what stunned me even more than that is the fact it is the third time he has committed this same offence.
Once is already disgusting but could, at a push, be forgiven as a one-off act of stupidity, a moment of madness. But three times, what is he thinking? Suarez has some serious deep rooted issues to make him do such a thing, maybe he actually needs professional help! He really has bitten off more than he can chew this time and if, he gets a two-year ban as has been suggested by some media, I am not even sure that would be enough!
It is such a shame for a player of such world class ability to continue to ruin his own reputation. On the pitch very few could argue about Suarez being among the world's best, his talent is second to none. But three acts of biting, racism and a deliberate handball make it hard to forgive him! Each time neutral fans give him another chance, because he really is a joy to watch on the pitch, he goes and does something like this! Enough is enough this has to stop!
In fact, enough is enough talking about Suarez too. Whilst it was a disgusting unforgivable act from the striker, there were actually four matches of FOOTBALL played yesterday that deserve to be a decent chunk of this blog and I am not going to let Suarez ruin anything else.
Suarez totally took the shine of the fact that his country qualified for the round of 16. Uruguay deserve credit for having secured second place in Group B and, although Suarez has tarnished it, we shouldn't let him grab all the headlines.
Shortly after the incident Diego Godin did just as he did in the Champions League final by scoring the opener. Only this time it was the winning goal as Suarez's cross went in off the defender's back nine minutes from time to send Uruguay's fans into raptures.
For Italy, who saw Claudio Marchisio sent off, it was a second successive World Cup where they failed to get out of the group stages. After lifting the coveted trophy in 2006, their World Cup luck really has diminished and questions will no doubt get asked about why they have performed so poorly in the last two World Cups.
Italy coach Cesare Prandelli only signed a new deal in May but has already offered his resignation following Italy's poor showing and the four-time World Cup champions will be keen to rebuild quickly. Uruguay march on into the knockout stages where they will face Colombia but this Group D match is unlikely to be remembered for its football.
Such was the controversy in Natal that it overshadowed England's disappointing World Cup campaign. It may have almost done Roy Hodgson a favour as the talk of the day was not about his under-performing side, although the England boss seemed to think we played well in the goalless draw against group winners Costa Rica. Daniel Sturridge looked lively but failed to make the most of the opportunities that came his way and England were unable to find a goal.
England had started the tournament positively and showed a lot of hunger and desire in their 1-0 defeat by Italy. But a sub-standard performance against Uruguay and a draw against the World Cup's surprise package Costa Rica left England with just a single point to show for their World Cup efforts.
When the groups were first drawn many people were saying how we would struggle to get out the group. We did just that so maybe it is a bit unfair how harsh some people are being on the players. But at the same time, this is a World Cup, nobody likes going home early and fans would've been expecting more than just one measly point. There were some positives on show during the group stages but there is certainly a lot of improvement needed as we get ready for the next task - qualifying for Euro 2016.
Praise must go to Costa Rica though! For all the criticism of England, Uruguay and Italy, Costa Rica haven't fluked their way through this group. They finished as group winners fair and square, take nothing away from them, and they fully deserve their place in the knockout stages.
Costa Rica have been a breath of fresh air in Brazil and definitely cannot be underestimated as they prepare for a round of 16 clash against Greece. Jorge Luis Pinto's men began the World Cup as the minnows, seemingly there just to make up the numbers, in Group D. This couldn't have been further from the truth as Costa Rica finished with a well deserved seven points out of a possible nine to finish top of the group.
Who knows how far they can go but if this World Cup has taught us anything it is, underestimate teams at your peril!
Let the drama continue!
Come on the underdogs!
No comments:
Post a Comment