Posts Tagged ‘The Gaffer & Hooligan Blog’

The Gaffer & Hooligan Blog: CONCACAF Standing Strong

Wednesday, June 18th, 2014

by Kamal Hylton

Kamal Hylton Blog

 

 

 

 

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Being a writer and podcaster that mainly covers MLS and CONCACAF, I’m taking a fair bit of pride in how well the region has done so far at the 2014 World Cup.
(Image courtesy of IslandMix.com)

(Image courtesy of IslandMix.com)

Not the most heralded of regions compared to UEFA (Europe) or CONMEBOL (South America), currently CONCACAF are 3-1-1 in the tournament. A record that is highlighted by Costa Rica’s 3-1 win against Uruguay, USA’s 2-1 win over Ghana and Mexico’s 0-0 draw over tournament hosts Brazil.

I’ve already touched on the Costa Rica game in my last Gaffer and Hooligan blog, but that was more from a Uruguay perspective.

The Ticos pulled off what has to be the shock of the tournament, not only winning but completely outplaying a far more talented side like Uruguay. Earning three huge points has turned Group D on its head, star forward Joel Campbell coming up big and helping set the table for what was to come.

Another big result for CONCACAF came Monday evening, USA picking up a much needed three points against Ghana.

John Brooks’ eighty-sixth minute winner is one of the moments of the tournament so far. The timing of his headed goal, his reaction after scoring and the numerous vine videos on social media of American Outlaw supporters groups all over the country going crazy will be a standout moment for me when the World Cup is over.

USA vs. Ghana was billed as a “must win game” for two reasons, as the Stars and Stripes attempted to get revenge on its African rivals for defeating and ultimately eliminating them from the last two World Cups. Other results also worked in the Americans favor, knowing there’s now a huge opportunity with Germany defeating Portugal 4-0 in the earlier group match.

Mexico followed up its 1-0 win over Cameroon with a credible 0-0 draw over Brazil, getting an otherworldly performance from goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa.

Standing tall under fire from the Brazilian attack, he kept his second clean sheet. Setting up El Tri very nicely for its final group match against Croatia next week.

Coming into the tournament, few will have had any CONCACAF teams advancing to the next round in their brackets. However, if the teams continue to perform there’s a chance that the region could see three of its four teams move on to the knockout rounds.

While some fellow Canadian National Team fans can’t bring themselves to cheer for CONCACAF rivals [particularly Honduras after losing 8-1 in World Cup Qualifying] or don’t see the regions success reflecting on or helping Canada in anyway, I take the opposite approach.

The further USA, Mexico and Costa Rica [or even Honduras if they play better] go there’s a better chance big teams around the world will look at CONCACAF players and more fans [particularly in North America] will be drawn to watching its national team, players or even local club on a more regular basis.

Be sure to keep up with my World Cup experience on the War Room Sports Blog and catch the Gaffer & Hooligan World Cup mini-shows on the War Room Sports Podcast Network.

The Gaffer & Hooligan Blog: A Nervous and Anxious time with Uruguayans

Sunday, June 15th, 2014

by Kamal Hylton

Kamal Hylton Blog

 

 

 

 

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Since I’ve been following soccer, I’ve only watched four World Cup tournaments before Brazil 2014.

In that time, I’ve never watched a national team game at a real supporters hangout… until today.

However rather than watch one of the major nations that has a mixture of die-hards and casuals, I was fortunate to be invited by fans of a nation that as I’ve witnessed has pure passion and national pride for its team.

(Image courtesy of TorontoHispano.com)

(Image courtesy of TorontoHispano.com)

For my first genuine experience, that nation was Uruguay and the venue was Club Uruguay in Vaughan, Ontario, Canada (just outside Toronto).

La Celeste taking on the Ticos of Costa Rica to open up its tournament.

The South American nation has a relatively small population of about 3 million people, but with what they lack in numbers they make up for in emotion and devotion.

Being an outsider, I came into this match thinking the fans would exude confidence against a side like Costa Rica.

This was way off base.

Whether it has to do with past history or being one of the last teams to qualify for the big dance in both 2010 (advancing 2-1 on aggregate against Costa Rica) and 2014 (advancing 5-0 on aggregate against Jordan), there was a feeling of nervous energy and anxiety.

Ultimately losing the game 3-1, the feeling at Club Uruguay changed to despair.
Uruguay vs. Costa Rica (Photo courtesy of The Guardian.com)

Uruguay vs. Costa Rica
(Photo courtesy of The Guardian.com)

Part of this is knowing that the matches only get tougher, with England and Italy to come in the next two group games.

Even though the result wasn’t favourable, I did come away with an appreciation for the soccer supporters of Uruguay.

I’m particularly impressed with the soccer intelligence of the people, not only cheering when Edinson Cavani scored the team’s lone goal on a penalty but doing so at other less obvious moments as well. The place erupting when the team won throw-ins and corners, made smart tackles that gained possession and on clearances out of the penalty area.

Being a nervous fellow by nature, I’m not sure if my heart can handle watching another Uruguay game with Uruguayans, but if I do I’ll now be prepared and ready to hopefully experience the joy that I’m all too sure would be pouring out of the supporters with a win.

Be sure to keep up with my World Cup experience on the War Room Sports Blog and catch the Gaffer & Hooligan World Cup mini-shows on the War Room Sports Podcast Network.

Kamal Hylton of The Gaffer & Hooligan Soccer Podcast, for War Room Sports

The Gaffer & Hooligan Blog: Riding the Emotional Australian Roller Coaster

Saturday, June 14th, 2014

by Kamal Hylton

Kamal Hylton Blog

 

 

 

 

 

Gaffer & Hooligan logo

 

The 2014 World Cup is only a few days old and there have already been a number of talking points, including horrible refereeing calls in both the Brazil vs. Croatia and Mexico vs. Cameroon matches, as well as the Netherlands overthrowing Spanish kings with a 5-1 #BEATEMDOWN (shoutout to Bomani Jones) in a rematch of the 2010 World Cup Final.
 
However, I’ve also had a great experience during the unlikeliest of games.
On a personal level, one match has seen me go through a range of emotions. The match I’m referring to is…. Chile vs. Australia?
Chile vs. Australia (Image courtesy of fivesee.com)

Chile vs. Australia
(Image courtesy of fivesee.com)

This game really doesn’t jump off the page in any meaningful way and certainly it doesn’t produce a multitude of reasons why a Canadian-born Jamaican would get emotionally invested, but that’s what the World Cup can do to you.

Having quite a few Australian friends, I found myself living and dying with every chance and going through 1000 different emotions.
 
I started out intimidated by the pro Chilean crowd in full voice singing their national anthem. This quickly led to anguish going 2-0 down in the first 15 minutes, goals being scored by Alexis Sanchez and Jorge Valdivia.
 
Just when I thought the route was on, my emotional state changed again.
A feeling of pure joy came over me when Tim Cahill’s header hit the back of the net and cut the lead to 2-1, keeping the Aussies in the match and landing a psychological blow ten minutes before halftime.
 
For the remainder of the game I was filled with stress, everything from a key goal line clearance to keep the score at 2-1 to the slew of near misses and close shaves that nearly leveled the game at 2-2.  The closer the Socceroos came to scoring the more I found myself trying to will the ball into the goal, wanting to see the little guy shock the world.
 
However, Chile scoring a third goal in the 90th minute ending the match 3-1 left me feeling disappointed and sick. Not only for what is a fairly young Australian squad, but also for my friends.
 
Having no official nation to root for in the tournament, moments like these are what the World Cup is all about. I have no roots to Australia at all, but having watched that game and seeing how much it means to many of my Aussie friends, I’ll be wishing them luck and success for however long they’re in the tournament.
 
After going through all of that, one of my Aussie friend James McKern put it best “Honorary Aussie for the game!”.
 
Be sure to keep up with my World Cup experience on the War Room Sports Blog and catch the Gaffer & Hooligan World Cup mini-shows on the War Room Sports Podcast Network.
 
Kamal Hylton of The Gaffer & Hooligan Soccer Podcast, for War Room Sports