EDITORS BLOG
More frustration than joy
The vuvuzela horns have grabbed most of the negative press in what has, frankly, been a poor World Cup thus far, but the Jabulani ball has done more to ruin the World Cup for me than the much-maligned "angry bee" drone. Yes, it would be nice to hear the various chants from fans of the competing nations, but, to be honest, I've been able to mentally tune out the monotonous and repetative tones of the plastic noise-makers fairly easily.
Much harder to shrug off, however, is the constant disruption to the flow of the game by over-hit passes, shots launching into orbit and balls flying over players leaping in vain to control bouncing passes that would probably be routinely controlled on the chest with, say, the Nike balls used week in, week out in the Premier League.
And it's not just at altitude that this travesty of a ball is plaguing the matches in South Africa there's been no noticeable difference between how the ball has behaved in games at sea level in Cape Town and Durban and those at 4,500 feet in Bloemfontein or 6,000 feet in the Gauteng or Rustenburg matches.
Now, Adidas are saying that the players complaining are from those federations or leagues that declined to practice with the ball for long enough when it was introduced in February. The ball was used extensively, for example, in the German Bundesliga and by the French and Argentine national teams which makes sense when you consider that Germany and Argentina appeared to have no problems with the new ball in their opening games and that Thierry Henry was one of very few players to have put a direct free kick on target so far but the Premier League has an exclusive contract with Nike and England's national side with Umbro so Fabio Capello's players have only been training with the Jabulani in the last few weeks.
So, it's not strictly the exact same for all teams going into the tournament and the ball wouldn't really be a significant advantage for any particular team if they all stroked it around on the deck like Brazil but the fact that Fifa insist on fucking around with the official match ball every World Cup really makes a mockery of the importance and integrity of the biggest tournament in football.
By their own admission, Adidas, "presented the technology and underlined the requirement to get used to it because it is a different ball and a different technology," but any change to the dynamics of the game that requires players to familiarise themselves with it in a short space of time and that alters what has become second nature to them is ludicrous if it's not necessary. And this certainly wasn't necessary.
Quite why they couldn't give it a different visual design, slap an Adidas logo on it and call it good is be a mystery to me. You'd still sell the same number to fans looking to buy the official ball and you'd have a tournament where one could focus on the talent on show.
Instead, you have a ball that behaves as if all the games are being played on artificial turf and some of the best footballers in the world are made to look a tit as what he thought would be a perfectly-weighted pass races ahead of its intended target and over the byline for a free kick, his cross flies out to the far side and out for a throw, or his inch-perfect diagonal ball over the opposition defence takes two huge bounces out into touch before the overlapping attacker can get near it (basically some of the biggest reasons why the FA banned plastic pitches in England in the 1990s). That's not to mention the way shots are ballooning way over the bar if there's any air whatsoever underneath it at the time of contact.
Yes, I know people are sick of people whingeing about the Jabulani it means "joy" in Zulu but that's a hell of a misnomer; maybe tse (fly), umoya (air) or izula (traveling at random) would have been more appropriate! but if the audience for this competition doesn't express its opinion, then annoyances like this are bound to continue. The World Cup comes around once every four years and is supposed to be an exhibition of the best that the game has to offer. Instead of creating goals with a ball that moves unpredictably in the air like its predecessors, Fifa have foisted a ball upon us that may actually be preventing goals because so many crosses, passes and shots are going astray.
I live in hope that as the tournament progresses, the players become more accustomed to the ball and the stakes get higher that World Cup 2010 will come into its own, but for now I can't help feeling that the Jabulani ball is contributing to a big disappointment.
Billions spent in preparation, blood, sweat and tears expended by the players to reach the Finals, and Fifa do their best to ruin it with an £80 football...
Lyndon Lloyd Posted 16/06/2010 at
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It's like high street shopping. Big chains and globalisation means all city centres are clones of each other.
I do agree that the ball is playing its part in the paucity of entertainment on offer but I don't think it's the whole reason for such mediocre fare.
It has to improve surely as the stakes get higher?
It would be absolutely absurd if the ball quality differed so dramatically from those already used as standard.... I mean, would we expect the same quality footy if the prem league suddenly adopted wembley trophies as ball of choice?
However, I also agree with Ray's comment about footy globalisation etc. There was a time when the world cup offered the rare opportunity to view many different player types, styles and even mentalities.... now we can see them every week in our own league, or any version of European competition. The novelty has gone, and perhaps with it some of the magic of the World Cup..... or maybe we're all looking through our Pele/Gert Muller tinted glasses, and maybe there were just as many crap games then....
Perhaps judgement is best left till the end of the competition. One thing's for sure, I cannot see Fifa calling for "new balls" anytime soon.
As Gareth points out, we can reasonably expect more attacking football in the second round of group matches as teams need the three points more than they need to avoid defeat. If we still have this problem in another six days, it's probably time for the revolution, as Fifa are not the people I would put in charge of anything, let alone the world's game.
Another thing they've tended to do every World Cup is change a rule or refereeing directive that has a significant impact. Thus we get odd decisions every World Cup which players, fans and probably even the referees can't really understand. I think its significant that this hasn't really happened this time, and people are commenting on how good the refereeing has been, with the Cahill red card the one exception.
"The ball's to round"...
You are right to a point though, in that a few days practice by a pro should see them adapt.
The Germans jumped at the chance, they were used in the Bundesliga last season.
You would never have guessed would you?
I'm sorry, but if the players who are using the ball are (almost) united in saying that it is not good, that is the most important thing, surely?
Like Lyndon, I hope this World Cup is not ruined by what is essentially a vehicle for yet more money being made out of people that will 'need to get' the new Jabulani ball. Let's face it, that's the only reason they release a new ball every 5 mins... it's nothing to do with improving the game.
It's the Festival of Football ffs, this is no time for experimentation.
It must be like playing with a balloon.
No one haas scored from a free kick yet.
It also explains why at this stage so far there have been less goals scored than in any other World Cup tournament.
If the Germans / French have any advantage at all and that could be debated all day isn't that because their preparation was more detailed?
The World Cup will never be like those of the 80s and even 90s it's globalised, like everything else. Everyone plays the margins.
Sadly, I don't believe that we'll ever see another Maradona type display at a World Cup, or even a Roger Milla type display. Everything has evened out and almost every player in the competition plays at a high level and probably 70% of them in Europe....
I still enjoy the World Cup, but it's lost its magic.
Tom Hughes, Gerd Muller and the 1974 World Cup is why I chose to support Germany as a young boy, the final being a classic looks like Klose may take his all-time scoring record too.
Just as an aside - here is a list of the number of goals scored after this number of games at all the previous World Cups:
There have been fewer goals in South Africa after 14 games than at the same stage of any previous World Cups I am not suggesting that it is all down to the ball (tactics increasingly aimed at not losing the first game have surely played their part) but I reckon the new ball has contibuted to this being the lowest-scoring World Cup by a distance thus far:
1930 - 46
1934 - 54
1938 - 60
1950 - 42
1954 - 71
1958 - 31
1962 - 30
1966 - 35
1970 - 35
1974 - 32
1978 - 37
1982 - 40
1986 - 28
1990 - 30
1994 - 37
1998 - 34
2002 - 39
2006 - 31
2010 - 23
For anybody who thinks this is a lame excuse, just try the ball for yourself. It really is that horrible. I cannot believe they would use it at a World Cup.
It just feels cheap. Horrible to trap and control. Hitting passes of distance is a lottery. Same for long range shooting. It's amazing that it made it past testing, let alone to a World Cup.
However... when I hear things like "ball technology" or "ball behaviour" being different and requiring acclimatisation then, frankly, the world has gone fucking mad.
The size, shape and behaviour of a ball is fundamental, is it not? I mean it makes a complete mockery of a sport in which the only instrument or tool used is... a fucking ball.
The idea that players have to adapt from years of experience, body behaviour and game skills to accommodate a ball that behaves completely differently to its predecessor is TOTAL MADNESS.
Does this mean that Bayern had to practice with two totally different balls for their league games and their CL games? What utter nonsense. As is the notion of using the latest technology to produce a ball that is more unpredictable in flight.
Bah, humbug.
I have no experience with the ball myself but am prepared to believe the pros who've spoken out as well as James and Dave. If the ball is that different there is no way it should be used. In effect, FIFA have given an advantage to countries who's leagues have a deal with Adidas over leagues who use a competitor. This is nothing short of disgraceful.
So far the games have been below par. It would be better if they could change the ball, fill the grounds and silence the horns.
The old Wembley trophy, many a happy long summer day in the park.
Jumpers for goalposts, miss those days !
As the likes of Tshabalala, Ronaldo and Xabi Alonsi today have proved, you can keep the ball down with the right technique but when players are consciously floating their crosses delicately rather than trying to whip them in or opting to power free kicks through the wall rather than curl them, then something is clearly different and not for the better.
With those factors in play, it does look as though the bulk of the excitement will come not from individuals but from the macro battle between teams on the day as the stakes get higher.
Getting a Wembley trophy blasted at your thigh from 2 yards produced a unique sound too that I'm sure would be heard above those horns..... 2 birds, one stone? Start the campaign now.....
I'm sorry, I know we all get a bit sentimental about Italia 90 but, apart from a couple of England games, Gazza et al, the football played was dull defensive and shit! The fewest goals total of any World Cup ever. So bad that it forced Fifa to radically change two of the rules of the game.
1. Backpass. Have you tried watching an old game before the backpass rule was introduced?
2. Offside. In 1990 if you were level you were offside. This rule change made a massive difference to the way teams could defend, not so much stepping up, a la Arsenal, and the defence always getting the decision.
In response to Lyndon's post, I couldn't agree more. The ball is shit and is spoiling the tournament more than any negative tactics, half full stadia or vuvuvuvuvsailors!!
So to me at least it's a function of the hype and the hype can lead to expectations, which it's self can lead to fear of failure; the altitude and where we came in the ball.
The Ball; along with the hype comes the commercialisation thence to the big players, the Multi-nationals, who are, in the end driven by profit.
They have to re-invent everything every season (shirts) and every WC the ball.
I would say they are using different eg cheaper materials to maximise the profit.
Possible (though unlikely) solution Fifa, define down to the last molecule just what constitutes 'The Ball ' and all the major makers make it. This ball is used for all Major Competitions and Leagues.
You might get ball tampering in Cricket, where the ball is just as important, but that could be that the ball is so consistent, that where ever you go in the world there may only be a small number of manufacturers for top class balls, but they all react the same way for a given set of conditions.
I mean if you want to change the ball it should be for the benefit of the game as a sporting spectacle to the public; this ball has clearly not done that. Yet if that is the long-term intention, this ball should have been introduced after the last World Cup in domestic leagues around the world. To spring it upon teams at the beginning of (OK in some cases a few months before) the biggest football tournament in the world, is tantamount to Fifa shooting themselves in the foot (excuse the pun) big time.
This World Cup so far isn't a patch on the 2006 or even the 2002 tournaments. Then, most of the games were exciting, albeit there were 1 or 2 stinkers. This time it's the other way round, and I think the tournament ball has a lot to do with that.
As well as that, isn't it strange watching the World Cup being played in the cold and the rain? Doesn't seem right somehow.
"A pretty poor tournament so far with the exception of the Germany game as all teams appear to have adopted the anti football let's not lose mentality instead of going for it."
So it's all Moyes' fault now is it! :-)
If a professional footballer earning millions of pounds a year can't control it then maybe it's time to select some other players who would be only too happy to be playing in the World Cup without whinging about the ball.
It seems to go in the general direction, but not to go down the imaginary tube like it's a tight fit, rather like the tube is slightly too wide and it is bouncing off the sides like a very shallow wave.
Thus the Goalkeeping errors and especially the Headed own goal. Look at that again. The Guy turned his head to direct the ball, left wards away from the goal, but it hit him on the right side of his head and into the net.
There was another case, some one I forget who hit one where it seemed easier to score and it hit his boot on the other side and well past the post. Could all be poor play but I have my doubts (it might've even been Messi and he's no mug).
It's the ball!!... It's a pig's ear (where it should be a pig's bladder).
He's Brazilian but that doesn't mean everything he tries is necessarily inspired :)
I was lucky enough to attend all 5 of the 1966 Goodison matches and I can remember that there were plenty of dire matches throughout that competition and those in 70, 74 ,78 etc but the rule changes (offside, backpass rule) have improved the game to the point that in my opinion the last Euro Championship was the most entertaining overall I've seen.
But now Fifa and have introduced the Jubialani and fucked up big time allowing the defenders time to negate. The footy has been pretty dire so far. Maybe a more attacking attitude will come in from now on but this new ball has made exciting attacking football bloody difficult and I suspect the tedium will continue. Our only hope is little Messi!
If a professional footballer earning millions of pounds a year can't control it then maybe it's time to select some other players who would be only too happy to be playing in the World Cup without whinging about the ball."
That's the sort of thing my Mum would say. What other players? The ones who are better than Messi, Kaka and Cristiano Ronaldo? Stupid post.
Don't let anyone hear you say that Lyndon! Don't you know Brazilians are all samba dancing football geniuses who never foul, dive or cheat. They don't even get paid, they just play for the love of the game like they always did on the beach. Thus, everything a Brazilian ever does, especially at a World Cup is 'The Official FIFA Best Thing Ever'.
Sorry, been sick of the myth of Brazil for a long, long time.
Tennis nerds noticed this but it went passed relatively unnoticed in the media and it allowed him to play to his good old standard again.
FIFA need Adidas to start doing the same and 'painting' some normal balls to look like the Jabulani so that the World Cup and Adidas can save some face....
As you said Derek, it's poor play that is being blamed on the ball, Heskey for example.
Ever played golf in Jo'burg... you'll think you're Tiger Woods with the driver!
It's all Hibbert and Osman's fault... and that pink kit of ours is to blame too.
I am old enough to remember in the mid-eighties Brazil turning up and playing England over here. They were taking free kicks from outside the penalty area and they and aiming to score! The ball was flying off their boot and we had seen nothing like it. The comentator was putting it down to the magical Brazilians. What a load of shite the ball had been changed. Nobody ever admitted the ball had changed but it had. The old ball was so heavy you couldn't possible score from a direct free kick from outside the penalty area and nobody tried to in those days.
The size and weight of the ball are fundamental to how the game is played. It should not be changed. As I said, they are just taking the piss out of football fans. They know they will fool you with their bullshit and you'll buy it and they will make even more money.
And the Kiwis didn't seem to have any problems controlling the ball last night, maybe Capello should check if any of them are eligible to play for England?
That situation seems to mirror the events of the last few weeks with this Jubilani ball. The question that should be asked is why do they feel the need to introduce this ball? It's effect is obvious so if some associations by virtue of contracts aren't allowed to have match practice with the object, who's idea was it to "move the goalposts" in favour of some federations, so to speak?
Whether this World Cup is successful will in my opinion be in spite of Fifa and not because of them. It is a wonder that football manages to be a successful sport with Fifa as a govening body. It is a pity that, instead of changing the type of football, they couldn't change the standard of the match officials.
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1 Posted 16/06/2010 at 07:29:56
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Either way SA2010 has been a huge letdown so far. Hopefully the 2nd round of group matches can liven it up when a few teams are facing the boot if they don't go for it a bit more.