K.P. Sethumadhavan and Premnath Philip, former Indian footballers, discuss how stalwarts, and Suarez, fared in Brazil.

Could this be the greatest World Cup ever? K.P. Sethumadhavan, a former Indian goalkeeper, thinks so. “It has been an amazing World Cup already,” he says. “I do not remember any other World Cup producing so much excitement in the first stage itself.”

The Brazil World Cup has given us so many memorable moments, with the second round yet to get under way. So many great goals to relish, so many great matches to savour. And so many brilliant men playing at their best.

When was the last time we have had so many stars shining at the same time? If Lionel Messi has carried Argentina on his shoulders to the second round, Neymar has been no less impressive for Brazil, that too in front of demanding home crowds. The two geniuses are on top of the goal-scorers’ list too, with four goals apiece.

Suarez saga

The other Latin American expected to dazzle at this World Cup, Uruguayan Luis Suarez, too showcased his genius. But, a nine-match suspension slapped on him for biting Italian defender Giorgio Chiellini has ended his, and possibly his team’s, World Cup dream.

“What Suarez did was unacceptable,” says Sethumadhavan. “And he was shaping up so well in the tournament. I thought his first goal against England was brilliant. It was also a tactical masterpiece by Uruguay, which made that goal possible so beautifully.”

That, though, does not top the chart of best goals for Sethumadhavan.

“Robin van Persie’s goal for Holland against Spain has to be the best, for its conception and execution,” he says. “The goal by van Persie’s teammate Arjen Robben was astonishing, for the sheer speed with which he controlled the ball.”

That run by Robben, clocked at 37 km per hour, will count among the most thrilling moments of this World Cup.

The best display under the bar has come in the drawn match between Brazil and Mexico.

“It was a superlative display by the Mexican goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa,” says the former Indian goalkeeper. “It is the finest goalkeeping I have seen in a World Cup match.”

Premnath Philip, who was a defender while Sethumadhavan kept the goal at Premier Tyres, too is impressed by the standard of goalkeeping in Brazil. “There are several fine goalkeepers in this World Cup,” he says. “Nigeria’s Victor Enyeama was outstanding in the match against Argentina.”

That game, though, was decided by Messi’s brilliance. “The goal he scored with that swirling free-kick, to me, is the best of this World Cup,” says Premnath. “Ordinary mortals cannot score a goal like that.”

Marquee players such as Messi and Neymar have shown that they could take their form at clubs to the World Cup.

“Portugal may have gone out, but look at the way Cristiano Ronaldo fought hard at this World Cup,” he says. “And it is refreshing to see some young players, such as Nigeria’s Ahmed Musa.”

Premnath feels a feature of this World Cup has been the performance of African teams.

“Nigeria, Algeria, Ghana, and Ivory Coast have shown that their game is not all about power. Their silken skills too were on display this time,” he says. “It is unfortunate that Ghana had to go out, despite holding Germany to a 2-2 draw in one of the best matches in this World Cup.”

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Kozhikode / by P.K. Ajith Kumar / Kozhikode – June 28th, 2014