Ronaldinho is back with a vengeance. I was there at the Singapore National Stadium (when the hell are they gonna break it down, even i don’t know the answer to that!) to watch Brazil vs Singapore. Two entirely different class and ranked teams that promised to be filled with action and certainly lots of samba footwork. Indeed, i wasn’t disappointed. In truth, bedazzled in a spell binding attacking flair is more like it. 
The Olympics is fast approaching as countries from all over the world will unite to partake in the honourable games that envisions and promote unity, peace and professional sportsmanship. II can’t wait for the games to being. Especially to watch another full round of explosive soccer played by the future would be stars of the football leagues (Although some are indeed stars already). Truly, am glad that we will be having another soccer tournament especially after the exciting Austria Euro 2008 that left my heart pumping with adrenaline rush as Spain finally achieved the great expectations to lift the trophy by beating Germany. Another team wanting to defy their odds and certainly with a mission at hand is Brazil.
You may wonder. Brazil? Why? They have won so many titles. True. But, one remains to elude them. That is the Olympic Gold. It has turned into a crazed desired title that the legendary Brazil Coach Dunga have been given the task to lead the Brazil Under 23 to their Olympic Dreams of attaining a gold medal. To such an extent, he has even asked the help of over-aged players like Diego from Werder Bremen and the ever magnificent Ronaldinho to take charge and achieve his dreams.
Ronaldinho, the used-to be Golden Boy of Barcelona, now deemed overweight & unskillful. A broken man that is no longer deemed to be of his past magnetic capability. It was even to an extent that he was sold at a fraction of his true value to Milan. Forgotten, many doubt whether he will ever be that brilliant player he was once again. However, i can tell you this after catching the match, watch for this man’s revival.
Match Review
Well, there was an electrifying feeling around the crowd as people spent big bucks( $60 for an adult ticket) to come and see the Kings of Samba Soccer. The crowd was racially intermixed as it was a testament to Singapore’s growing metropolitan status of having Malays, Indians, Chinese, Caucasians, Indonesians and Latins & Eurasians all under one roof catching a brilliant match. AS the player’s names were introduced to the crowd, only one was cheered the most loudest. The toothy-grin & a lil pudgy Brazil No. 10 Ronaldinho! People came and paid big bucks to catch this man. Indeed, he was back to please the crowd.
Singapore started a little nervous, surprisingly respecting their under 23 opponents too much. Although, we started quite well, things change when a brilliant move by Diego ended in the first goal of the match. I deemed it to be a soft goal, but people felt a barrage of goals would be soon to be. It wasn’t long before the man of the hour Ronaldinho added the second goal to the rapturous applause of the fans with a sublime shot that proves he is back. I was smiling as i expected my prediction of Brazil 10 Spore 0 would become a reality. However, something unexpected happened. Singapore actually came back and started playing better.
We were an entirely different team in the second half that no longer feared our opponents as we challenged and even created good chances that went begging to match our thought to be superior opponents. Lionel Lewis upped his tempo as he produce brilliant saves after another to prevent Brazil from embarrassing us. Chance went begging as Mustafic and Wilkinson shots went over the bar. Calls of penalties for Duric and certainly wrong offside decisions infuriated the fans. However, Brazil taught us to convert our chances as they showed us a piece of skilled passing that finally lead to Brazil third goal with the head poke by Manchester CIty Big Signing Jo! With the final rammed into the coffin, the game was dead as Singapore tried in vain to at least grab a consolation goal. Unfortunately, it wasn’t to be.
Analysis
Singapore
I have to praise the Singapore team for giving a gutsy performance and admire their spirit of not giving up and continue to fight the war. Indeed, the first half would have been more desired but i was pleased with our second half showing. I am sure Avaramovic had a fiery word or two that knocked some sense into the players. Good Job Team Singapore. Am pleased!
Best Player: Daniel Bennett (Saved our skins many a times. He should be in the English Premier League!)
Brazil
Brazil on the other hand is a different case. They are tightly organised, disciplined with beautiful sublime one touch passing and tricks that portray the Kings of Soccer Samba. However, it is evident that this is an Under 23 squad and not the main Brazil squad. There was actually a lack of creativity as they relied too heavily on Ronaldinho. Honestly, this team is only made up of Ronaldinho, Diego, Jo and Pato. Even Anderson was inexistent as he dutifully only complied to remaining as a defensive midfielder. From my view, Brazil will struggle to compete for the Olympics Gold Medal! They will only reach to the semi final and will be overtaken by bigger nations like Argentina. Why? The team is mainly mediocre, lacking spark and energy. Clean, tight and organised unit. But nothing more, especially if without the fancy tricks of Ronaldinho and Diego.
Best Player : Ronaldinho (The heart of the team. Back to his best as a playmaker.)
Ronaldinho
The tournament surely brings about reminiscence of the Brazil squad that won the 2002 World Cup in South Korea & Japan. Then, i too had witnessed the Brazil squad as they trained and had a friendly match with the Malaysian Team. Back then, a similar fallen star was looking back at revenge to prove his value once again. It was the other toothy brilliant striker Ronaldo. With the help of training at Malaysia and the revitalised Ronaldo, Brazil won the cup with ease and style.
Back to the present day. Brazil U-23 is here training in Singapore for their Olympic Challenge. Also, they have another fallen toothy star with a name beginning with an R too, that is Ronaldinho. He is happy once again. With tricks plenty abound, his toothy smile is apparent as he dazzled through the defence. But one tends to forget that he is waltzing through Singapore’s defence. How will it be with the other Olympic teams? Not promising. He is indeed slow, pudgy and has put on a lot of weight. His touch and skill is definitely there but not his fitness. Evidently seen was when Ronaldinho made a 30 yard dash into the box. The past Ronaldinho would have simply slotted that home with ease. However, this is the new overweight Ronaldinho that simply fluttered and lost the ball, clearly being out of breath. With a full match training, i do hope Dunga will whip him back into shape to make sure he is ready to lead Brazil to the Olympics. Their Gold medal is all relied upon Ronaldinho’s performances in Beijing.
Side Bits
Brazil Fans
The Brazil fans were FANTASTIC as they were in full force supporting their fans. Painted faces and gold jerseys awashed the Kallang Stadium (I believed even more than red Singapore jerseys!) with their style, essence and exuberance in following a game and team they love. They constantly played songs and cheered on non-stop to support and motivate their players. It was as though I was in a concert hall as the music melodiously filled the stadium with synchronized cheering. Indeed, they livened up the whole mood and brought colour to the soccer proceedings. However, there was also a dark side. They loved to stand and cheer their team on. Unfortunately, to the dismay of fans behind them, they were being blocked by the Brazilian constant standing salute. I guess it was in evident the different cultures which finally led to SIngaporeans following their favorite past time to complain to police officers of their plight. Although reluctant in the beginning, the Brazilians finally understood our plight and dutifully complied to the advice of the police officers.
Security
Security was indeed tight. Honestly, i thought i was entering a prison with blocked entrances and guards at every corner with a gazeful watch at the crowd. I was kinda pissed off with a Malay Police Officer as he rudely pushed me and scolded me for trying to enter a full area. I honestly didn’t know it was cordoned off and am actually surprised as to how they have treated a Singaporean. (I didn’t see such actions portrayed with our fellow white foreigners.) I gave him a long stare into his eyes and said thank you for the “friendly” push, is that how you manage crowd control with Singaporeans? I looked at his name tag and dutifully remember his name. Am indeed gonna complain with our friendly Police Force.
Sponsor Boards
For the first time, i have seen so many different sponsors being displayed on the poster boards near the field as small and big posters with a wider variety of companies ranging from Kawan Creative to Singapore Youth council and surprisingly Kovan Residences. Interesting indeed.
Fai @ ilovelookinggood
About FaiNur
it sounds like a great event to be at