Watching the Brazilian footballers taking on England at Wembley yesterday was an enlightening viewing experience. The way they were passing the ball at times around the Wembley turf, you could easily be mistaken for thinking they were imagining themselves out for a stroll and a kick around on Copacabana beach, except on this occasion it was North West London and at least 20 degrees colder. They were just simply "Too Cool For School" or too cold.
What was blindingly obvious last night watching the England v Brazil match however, was the fact Brazil never got out of first gear the entire match, whereas England were playing in fifth gear, full throttle, be prepared to be tackled if necessary mode from the first whistle to the last, and ended deserved winners. You almost wanted to stick atom bombs up the bottoms of some of the Brazilian players and say "Run, for heaven's sake".
Could this be the reason that lies behind Brazil not being a successful international side in recent years? This idealization of style over substance, is something that needs to be addressed if they don't want to be embarrassed when the World Cup party heads to their nation in a year's time. Yes they've had the likes of Pele and Ronaldo, the footballers too cool for school, but they've also had the class nerds and work horses such as the Cafu's of this world. Interesting Cafu played in three World Cup Finals and won two. I wonder how many Brazilian players playing yesterday, will be saying that at the end of their careers.
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