I personally thought the final would be a South American affair between Brazil and Argentina but Holland and Germany put that theory to bed.

Just goes to show that nothing is really that predictable in football but as we’ve said before to any budding Asian soccer star, self-discipline matters.

Brazil started strong against the Dutch but lost their way as soon as Holland scored their first goal. From then on Brazil went into panic mode and lost their discipline in defence, an area on which the 2010 Brazil had been built.

Brazil plays best as a team of individuals with flair and creativity who are allowed to play fast one-touch football the South American way.

The world cup 2010 Brazil team looked more like a European team and it didn’t suit them.

Germany on the other hand have always looked like a strong, disciplined unit that have grown stronger throughout  the tournament. Their passing is accurate and they play as a team both in attack and defence.

Germany destroyed Maradona’s Argentina with a 4-0 victory dominating most of the game. Again, the South Americans lost their discipline.

Germany has been the most impressive in the tournament so far, growing in confidence and as a strong unit match by match.

But their discipline is what sticks out most, each player knows what their job is and they get on with it in an effective and efficient manner.

Asian soccer star learning point

Self- discipline is the cornesrtone of success. Discipline will give you freedom.

As Stephen R. Covey once wrote, “the undisciplined are slaves to moods, appetites and passions”.

And as we already know and have seen from the South American teams that play with passion and flair, once they lose their self-discipline they lose the freedom to play with flair and creativity. They give in to their emotions.

In the longer term, a lack of discipline equates to a lack of freedom to develop particular skills and abilities which are required to play professional football.

Brazil topped the table with Portugal taking second place into the last 16, but the teams were booed off the pitch in what was a cautious but listless performance from both sides.

The first half saw a flurry of yellow cards but no real passion was seen on the pitch, the cards were more for tit for tat fouls from both sides. It’s been a long time since i’ve seen such a boring match especially from two teams that are known for their flair and attacking football.

But, because the outcome of the group had more or less already been decided the fans had to put up with a performance that was just ridiculous.

From a tactical point of view it’s completely understandable, but when the match has been hyped as probably the best fixture of the tournament and the stadium is packed to capacity the palyers have a responsibility to play with a will to win.

Anyway, I hope the rest round really picks up in the quality that is expected from world cup 2010. We want to see the passion, hunger, desire and will to win.

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The teams are not playing to the expectations we all have of thrilling contests between nations from all round the globe. May be it’s early days and teams are being a little over cautious about going forward and being caught in the counter attacks.

But, and it’s a massive but, the world has been waiting for this football extravaganza for 4 long years and the teams are made of the best professional football players a nation has to offer.

We as paying fans, whether at the stadiums watching live games or paying for the privilege of watching the matches on TV screens at home or in pubs and clubs around the country need to be compensated for our commitment by players and teams with an equal amount of commitment.

After all we are paying for them to travel to these exotic locations to entertain us.

Germany’s demolition of Australia was probably the only game up to world class standard, but then again Australia didn’t really turn up for the match.

New-comers New Zealand managed to scrape a draw against Slovakia. The Ivory Coast held on to a 0-0 draw against an uninspiring Portugal with all their world class talent.

The real shocker was how North Korea kept the mighty Brazil at bay until the second half and managed to put a goal past Julio Cesar late in the match losing just 2-1. A small victory for the communist state.

Lets get the thoughts of our readers through commenting on this post.

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It didn’t help that fans watching in HD missed the goal when TV screens around the nation went blank at the exact time the goal was scored. According to ITV, the problem was due to “human error at an outside company”.

England looked like cruising to victory until an error from first choice goalkeeper Rob Green put the USA on equal terms. An error that left a nation reeling in the knowledge that “we’ve all been here before”.

But, England can recover and are fully expected to make it through to the next round.

Here’s what the blogosphere is saying:

World Cup 2010: England vs USA highlights

England vs USA highlights – World Cup 2010 highlights – England simply maintained their recent disappointing form and the reaction of the United States players at the final whistle confirmed the more satisfied team.

England vs USA | Live | World Cup 2010 | LoveFooty.net : World Cup …

Live streaming of England v USA. Watch England take on the USA live on the second day of the World Cup 2010.

World Cup: England vs USA – Mirror Images – Mirror.co.uk

World Cup: England vs USA. By Ian Vogler on Jun 13, 10 04:38 PM in Assignments.  The long wait is over. England’s first game in the 2010 World Cup has been played. The Royal Bafokeng stadium last night was packed with …

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