Hosting a worldwide event is...

Although the World Cup Brazil has finished, Brazil remains to have problems they should solve.

Before the World Cup started, Brazil had have some problems in that regards. In fact, there were many anti-World Cup demonstrations and even riots.

Many people lost their place to live because the rent soared due to the World Cup and they ended up not being able to pay it anymore. They live in tents just right beside the World Cup venues.
The Brazil government must do something for them as soon as possible.

When Tokyo held the Olympics in 1964, I guess there might have been the similar situation. Although people in Tokyo might be excited, many people in country side had still suffered from post-war poverty.

Hosting a worldwide event can lead to big economic effect. In fact, the Tokyo Olympics in 1964 boosted the Japan's rapid economic growth. However, always just a few people receive its benefit.

Countries or cities have to consider what they use money for. For event? for their people?
I guess Brazil might still have been in the phase which they should have use money for their people.
The Rio Olympics is in 2 years. I wonder if it is going to be OK?

Germany won the championship.

The World Cup Brazil has finished.

The final game, Germany vs. Argentina, was a dead heat as well as many other games in this World Cup and went into the extra time. It was 1-0.

The features of the World Cup Brazil were,

- Most of the games were head-to-head and very exciting to watch.

- Goalkeepers played outstandingly,
such as;
Howard (the US), Ochoa (Mexico),  Julio Cesar (Brazil), Navas (Costa Rica), not to mention Neuer (Germany).

- Incredible thing, Brazil lost with the score 1-7, happened.



The Awards

Golden Ball : Lionel Messi (Argentina)

Some say that Messi wasn't deserved, but I realized that he is an extraordinary player. Any other top players are no match for him. It's no wonder Nigeria coach said Messi is from Jupiter. haha.

No smile because just after the final game he lost.

Golden Boot : James Rodriguez (Colombia) --- 6 goals

His number of games were fewer than other strikers because Colombia lost in the quarter final.
In spite of that, he scored most. Great!
He was definitely the player who got attention most in this World Cup.

Golden Glove : Manuel Neuer (Germany)

Although many goalkeepers showed great performance, I think nobody is against his award.

Young Player Award : Paul Pogba (France)

Many young players played very well, such as Rodriguez (Colombia), Naymar (Brazil), Götze (Germany), but they are all 22 years old or above.
There wasn't such a noticeable person among players who are 21 years old or less.
(Precisely, the award winner must have been born on or after 1 January 1993.)

Fair Play Award : Colombia



My most favorite scene

Colombia' dance when they scored a goal!!

Congratulations, respected Klose!!

Miroslav Klose of Germany scored a record breaking 16th World Cup goal in the game against Brazil. Great!!

Goa--------l!!

FIFA World Cup scoring record ranking

He is one of the players I respect as well as my favorite player Lampard of England.

Both Klose and Lampard are solid and great both physically and mentally.

Soccer players OFTEN do unsporting and dirty things, such as diving and frequent complaining against refrees.
However, Klose and Lampard never do such things. On the contrary, they seldom fall even though they are attacked hard by opponent players.

Some Klose's fair play episodes; (from Wikipedia about Klose)
On 30 April 2005, while playing for Werder Bremen, Klose refused to accept a penalty given against Arminia Bielefeld due to it being incorrect. He was later given a fair play award for his actions.
At the end of September 2012, Klose scored a goal using his hand for Lazio against Napoli. Klose admitted this to the referee, who then took back his decision for the goal, spared Klose from a yellow card and shook his hand.



Klose always shows his salto after scoring a goal, but at this memorial goal, he didn't do it.
I wondered if it's because his salto after scoring the 15th goal in the game against Ghana didn't go perfectly. haha.

Oops! The spin wasn't enough.

Actually, he avoided doing salto because he had a left injured foot.
Yes, Germany has one more game, which is most important, the final.

Brazil was defeated "1-7"!!

The host team, Brazil, which was almost obligated to win the championship, was defeated by Germany, surprisingly with a score of 1-7!!!!

It is not the score of soccer.

It was as if the game between amateur versus pro.

In about 6 minutes, Germany scored 4 goals. 4 goals in 6 minutes!!

It is no longer a soccer game.

In this World Cup, the most of the games were close battles. However, the semifinal is 1-7!!



Brazil didn't function as a team at all.
The reason why Brazil has been strong is individual high ability, not excellent team play. I wonder if this game showed the limitation of relying on only talented individuals?

Is it time that many countries in Latin America and Africa which has relied on their individual abilities should learn "team play"? Otherwise, they wouldn't win?

Personally, I like team play soccer. It is much more fun to watch!

All the focuses have left the World Cup.

The top 4 has been decided.

In the end, the leading soccer nations advanced to the semi final.

And unfortunately, the players and the teams in the spotlight in this World Cup has left, such as;

Two 22-year-old stars,
James Rodriguez (Colombia) and Neymar (Brazil)

Before starting the World Cup, It had been said that this World Cup would become the Neymar's World Cup. Although Brazil defeated Colombia, Neymar was injured during the game and his World Cup has finished.


Rodriguez, who got attention most in this World Cup, has also left because Colombia was defeated by Brazil. He is the most talk-about person.


Guillermo Ochoa, a goalkeeper and Miguel Herrera, a coach (Mexico)

Both were definitely in the spotlight!

Costa Rica team

They were called as a dark horse, but they are no longer a dark horse. They were really strong and a great team as well as other soccer nations.


Belgium team, I cheered for after the Top 8 was decided, was also eliminated, they were very very good team though. There wasn't so-called "a star player" like Neymar, Messi etc. but their play were solid. 

Draining duel, draining duel, and draining duel.

All the first round matches in the 2nd stage have finished.

I think this World Cup is very high level.

All the games were exciting, head-to-head, and draining duel.
Surprisingly, 5 games went into extra time, and 2 of 5 were decided with shootout.

It was hard to see the players of the losing teams, especially after such a dead heat. Some players were crying, some were at a loss, some were even not able to get up.

I think all the 8 losing teams were capable enough to aim for the championship.