By Terry Mosher
Editor, Sports Paper
There are three things I have noticed while watching the World Cup, one of which pertains to almost any sport. The first thing is that there is good sportsmanship among the best soccer players in the world.
I know it is a rugged, physical game, but opponents can be seen helping each other up, hugging each other, and even during penalty kicks in the Brazil-Chile match, a Brazil player touched hands with the Chile player who was getting ready for his PK.
I’m pretty sure most of these players know each other from the premier professional soccer leagues they play in, and might even be teammates on different clubs, so maybe that accounts for some of the sportsmanship. But I still think it’s cool to watch guys who are on the world stage with millions watching that they take the time to acknowledge each other in a comfortable and peaceful way.
Another thing that is very noticeable is the flopping that goes on. Guys get knocked to the ground and they stay there, moaning and groaning like they are having the most pain they ever have experienced. Eventually, they all get up and walk away like nothing has happened. Not there aren’t serious injuries in the game; there is. But the flopping really cheapens the game. But if you want to draw a yellow or red card on your opponent, I guess in the heat of competition that is the way to push it forward.
My final thought on World Cup soccer is that like most sports, particularly baseball, the emphasis is on power. In baseball, scouts are looking for guys who can hit the ball a long way and pitch it 95-plus miles per hour. Power arm and power bat, and that is what will get your son some big bonus money.
And in soccer at this World Cup level I notice that these guys just hammer the ball toward the goal. I pity those poor goalies because that ball must be like a lightening bolt coming at them. Man, I wouldn’t want to get in front of one. Most of those shots on goal are like bullets shot from a gun.
And those goalies? You see how far those guys kick the ball. They are kicking them almost the full length of the field. These guys should try catching on with an NFL team.
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