Delusion that is…..Contd.

So, why this rather strange title to go for this blog ? After all, what is so delusory about the Brazilians ? Aren’t they the innocent group of individuals who believe in the philosophy of ‘Joga Bonito?’ It is this issue of perceptions that I would like to deal with in this post. Personally, I am not one who used to believe in using stats and numbers to my advantage. I was at best a very hesitant follower of history, something my quizzing credentials would not quite stand testimony to. In fact, I loathed statistics and believed it was a creation of the media to bore people. This was until I got across this book, Freakonomics by a ‘mad’ economist as Stephen .D. Levitt describes himself. A book that I would instantly recommend to everybody, Stephen did a damn good job of convincing me about the power of statistics and numbers. From someone who had the ‘bikini’ approach (as the MP Sardar would put it) towards numbers, I have started believing in using Levitt’s simple philosophy of asking the most ridiculous questions to challenge the age-old perceptions. If Levitt could ask whether a gun is actually more dangerous than a swimming pool or whether money does win elections as is perception and prove them to be convincingly wrong; surely there is scope for this question to put forward: ‘Are Brazil an attacking side after all ?’ In retrospective, are Brazil not the most boring side to play the game over the last decade ?

It would be only fair to say that till the 1980’s Brazil played some of the most dazzling football that this world has seen. With attacking talent that may never be matched let alone surpassed BrazilBrazil’s reputation has more to do with heritage than reason- Levitt’s theory of perception to fulfill our beliefs exemplified here. used to put it across teams with consummate ease. But come 1990, it is evident that

For sake of comparison, let us put in the Azzuri and the Nazis (oops 50$ down the drain)- perceived to be the two most boring sides in football with tactics based more on strength and unity than technicality and flair. Brazil came to the 90’ WC with what is widely accepted as its worst side in modern times- another of those conspiracy theories for they said that about their teams in ’94,’98 and’02. This is a classical case of ‘conventional wisdom’ and perception not quite in collusion as John Kenneth Galbraith would put it for if you were the worst side, how could you be the most entertaining one? And mind you, in all these tournaments Brazil were considered dodgy because of their leak proof defence; not due to absence of thrust in the attacking half.

Put in arguably the easiest group in’90 along with Costa Rica, Sweden and the Scots, Brazil managed to tally just 4 goals despite the attacking talent of Careca and having Romario and Bebeto in the wings. Managing to score just four goals and conceding 1 Brazil, surprisingly topped the group but were unsurprisingly put out in the next round by a Claudio Cannigia inspired Argentina 0-1. West Germany meanwhile scored 12 conceding 3 whereas Italy scored 6 conceding none in the same number of matches. Yes, Brazil conceded more number of goals against Italy but if you score 4 goals in 4 matches, it doesn’t necessarily take a great mathematician to figure out that your probability of qualifying isn’t all that great.

Fast forward to ’94, Brazil possessed great attacking strength in the form of firing players like Bebeto, Romario and Zinha. Brazil lived up to its billing in the group stages scoring 6 and conceding 1 in the group stages to finish top of the group. Germany and Italy had 5-3 and 2-2 records respectively at the same stage. At the end of the tournament, Brazil had a 11-3 record from 7 matches including the goalless final they won on penalties; Italy after their disappointing start recovered to finish with a 10-5 record in the same number of matches; Germany went out in the quarters with a 9-7 record. More number of goals in more matches is no surprise but just one more than Italy and an average of just more than 1.5 goals per game doesn’t befit the most ‘attacking’ side in the world. To illustrate the point further, in the knockout stages when it becomes considerably more difficult to score because of more quality opposition, Brazil managed to score just 5 times to Italy’s 6.

Now to ’98 when Ronaldo and Rivaldo graced the WC stage for the first time joining the still potent Bebeto alongside the ‘magic’ Denilson. Brazil just managed to net 6 times during the group stages conceding 3. Spain, Italy, France and the Dutch managed to score more goals with Germany notching 6 as well. However, by the end of the tournament, the supposedly misfiring stars had managed to gather a head of steam to score an impressive 14 goals in all but their defence couldn’t sustain pressure from the Les Blues as they succumbed 0-3 in the finals; their defence was breached 10 times in all in the finals. France finished with 15 goals. Italy and Germany found goals difficult to come by in the later stages and went out in the quarterfinal stages tallying 8 goals in all. Brazil averaged 2 goals per match but their opposition along the way comprised Chile and Denmark- 2 teams that haven’t qualified since.

Finally to ’02 when all the speculation was surrounding Ronaldo who after the mystery final in ’98, was making an appearance in a WC after a season plagued by injury. Brazil finished with an impressive 11 goals- the same tally as Germany. Brazil managed to add a further 7 goals en route to the final to Germany’s 3. 18 goals in 7 matches is truly impressive but again this was a World Cup which was mired in medioicrity and opposition like Costa Rica, China and Belgium are not the top of everyone’s list as far as contenders are concerned. Their defence was the stingiest in the competition conceding just 4 times- the same as Germany. Italy, for the stake of statistics scored 5 times to go out in the round of 16.

’06, Germany has been similar in the sense that they have progressively got better scoring 7 goals in all ( as of now) in the group stages conceding just once. Germany have scored 8 times whereas Italy have managed five. Robinho and Adriano have joined ranks as Brazil are playing with their most attacking combination taking the past decade into consideration.

So, where does this leave us with? The tally, skeptics might argue is certainly impressive. It certainly is. But the point that has been missed is that Brazil, in all these competitions has possessed one of the better defensive records, if not the best. The conclusion that has to be drawn and one which was concurred to by their current coach, Carlos Alberto Parreira is that Brazil are a counter attacking side whose game is based on a strong defensive foundation. Surprise, Surprise! And that for a side with a very suspect defence. Their record at every tournament, defensively has been better than Italy and Germany despite having put up greater numbers in the matches column. They play with an attacking formation, but in essence their game is based on the quality of their defensive midfielders. Dunga, Emerson and Gilberto Silva are all unsung heroes but are amongst the best in the tournament. There might be a line of thought that an attacking side might not always be best represented in the goals column if they are not the most efficient. But, here we are talking about the likes of Ronaldo, Romario, Adriano and Rivaldo- amongst the best in the business year in and year out for their clubs. Another argument can of course be that Brazil’s attacking prowess might force coaches into playing defensive formations thus negating their own attacking game, thus accounting for Brazil’s defensive record. Roberto Carlos, Cafu and Lucio have stayed on in the team for years but Brazilian forwards but for Ronaldo have been like revolving doors- their longevity always in question. Thus, opposition coaches too seem to be sucked into the great whirlpool of perception for if Brazil are a counter attacking side, it means that they are not likely to be in possession of the ball for long and you rather well do something about it. Averaging way under 2 goals a game, Brazil are nowhere near the attacking side they once were. They have got a bunch of individuals with great pace and positional sense which makes them deadly as a counter attacking team.

It is this same aura of invincibility surrounding their defence that seems to be existing within the team that I believe will prove to be the undoing of the Samba boys. Cafu and Robert Carlos are not in the same league anymore and Brazil would be better served by the likes of Cicinho and Silvinho. Emerson looks a spent force in the defensive midfield position and the omission of the immense Gilberto Silva cannot be overlooked. But there seems to be a false sense of aura which I believe could make Brazilian meet their waterloo at the hands of the technical and speedy Ghana side provided they manage to keep their tempers in control. What good are a counter attacking side if they are dominated offensively and not given the ball. Brazil would then be reduced to a bunch of tricksters without getting anywhere. As Levitt would say ‘conventional wisdom’ and ‘perception’ can be both proved wrong.

Delusion that is the Samba Boys

If you were to hear about Brazil there would probably be three things that register instantly in your mind – its beautiful beaches, scantily clad beauties and of course ‘Joga Bonito’. The beautiful game has come to be synonymous with Brazil over the years and has become ingrained in the common man’s psyche. The three ‘divine pleasures’ have become intertwined for Brazil’s football starts at the beaches and erudite pleasures are part of the package.

Life does come to a standstill literally. Government timings have been changed, television sets have been installed in prisons for fear of riots and special channels have been established to provide the most in-depth coverage to its citizens. But for them it is only the World Cup matters. Defeat in the final is considered to be a national catastrophe as the 0-3 defeat to France at the Stad de France in ’98 proved; inquests as to the cause continue till this day.

The primary reason that the Samba Boys enjoy such backing throughout the globe is because of the attacking flair they have possessed over the years. No other nation has captivated and left audiences spellbound with their riveting style of play as much as Brazil have. But very little is known about the true Brazilian legends- the Leonidas’, Vavas, Didis…the list is endless. A peek into the Brazilian teams of the past:

1930,Uruguay

The first World Cup resembled a carnival in that all those who wished could play at the finals. This was probably the only Brazilian squad that went to a WC finals without any stars. Characterized by regional imbalance- all but one member of the squad hailed from Rio de Janeiro.

The team (line-up in the first match, againstYugoslavia): Joel; Brilhante and Itália; Hermógenes, Fausto and Fernando; Poly, Nilo, Araken, Preguinho (C) and Teóphilo.
Reserves: Velloso (G), Zé Luiz, Oscarino, Benevenuto, Ivan Mariz, Fortes, Pamplona, Benedito, Russinho, Carvalho Leite, Doca and Moderato.
Coach: Píndaro de Carvalho.

Going into the sub zero temperatures of Montevideo, the Brazilian side finished sixth with a loss to Yugoslavia and a thrashing of Bolivia. In the mid-match time out, the Brazilians used blankets and hot tea to try to warm themselves. Preguinho, their captain became the first Brazilian to score in a WC. A disappointment nevertheless but Sao Paulo wasn’t complaining.

1934, Italy

The team: Pedrosa, Sylvio Hoffman, Luiz Luz; Tinoco, Martim (C), Canalli; Luisinho, Waldemar de Brito, Armandinho, Leônidas, Patesko.

Bureaucratic hassles ensured that Brazil took an understrength squad once again to a WC. Played on a knockout basis, Brazil lost their first and consequently their only match of the tournament to Spain, 1-3. However the match would turn out to be the precursor to the rise of the first Brazilian great, Leonidas da Silva, who scored their only goal.

1938, France

The team (line-up in the first match, against Poland): Batatais; Domingos and Machado; Zezé Procópio, Martim and Afonsinho; Lopes, Romeu, Leônidas (C), Perácio and Hércules.

1938 represented the first time that Brazil took a full strength squad to a WC. The journey to France took 15 days by ship and by the time the Brazilian squad got there most of the players reported sick. However, that couldn’t prevent Brazil from defeating Poland 6-5, a record for the most goals scored in a single WC match. A loss to Italy dampened victories over Czhechoslovakia and Sweden. Domingos da Guia, the "Divine", recognized until today as one of the most talented Brazilian defenders of all time, says that he was kicked by Italian Piola; when he kicked back, the Swiss referee took it as a foul, and awarded a penalty to Italy from which they scored to proceed to the final.

Leônidas was one of the best Brazilian players of all time. He was the inventor of that difficult movement called bicycle. Leônidas was the main striker of the 1938 Cup, with seven goals. Because of his talent and the fact that he was one of the first black men to bright in a World Cup, French media called him "Diamant Noir", or "Black Diamond" in English, or "Diamante Negro", as he became known in Brazil. Leônidas knew how to use his color. There are records that, when he scored the last goal against Poland, Leônidas was shoe-less, and this would be grounds for the referee to invalidate the goal. Cleverly, Leônidas splashed his feet into the dark mud; the referee could not tell Leonidas' black socks from his black legs and from the (non-existent) black shoes.

1950, Brazil

The team (line-up in the first match, against Mexico): Barbosa; Augusto (C) and Juvenal; Eli, Danilo and Bigode; Maneca, Ademir, Baltazar, Jair and Friaça.

World Cup football returned after the war enforced break and the Brazilians came into the tournament as favourites. Da Silva was 12 years older but was still playing professionally. The backbone of the Brazilian team comprised of Barbosa (considered, along with Gilmar, who was champion in 1958 and 1962, one of the best Brazilian goalkeepers of all time), the captain Augusto and the forward Ademir de Menezes, who would score nine goals to become the striker of the Cup. Besides, Brazil still had Jair da Rosa Pinto, skin and refined, and Zizinho, who happens to be the declared idol of Pelé, when the King was young (Zizinho did not play the first two matches in the Cup only because he was recovering from an injury). Brazil lived up to its reputation hammering Sweden 7-1 and a strong Spanish team 6-1. Needing a draw in the final group game at the historic Maracana (WC 1950 didn’t have a final) which was watched by over 200,000 people Brazil went down 1-2 to Uruguay who thus won the Jules Rimet Trophy for the second time.

Ademir de Menezes, Barbosa, Zizinho

1954, Switzerland

Line-up in the match against Mexico:
Djalma Santos, Brandãozinho, Nilton Santos, Pinheiro,
Mario Américo (masseur), Castilho and Bauer;
Julinho, Didi, Baltazar, Pinga and Rodrigues.

This was a tournament of firsts for Brazil- forced to qualify and travel by air. After the 1950 debacle came the predictable sacking of the coach but the loss had such far reaching consequences that the white jersey was retired as white was considered to be associated with cowardice. The yellow sunshine outfit coupled with a youthful outfit did little to reverse Brazil’s performances on the field as a disappointing draw with Yugoslavia followed by a thrashing by Puskas’ ‘Magic Magyars’ ensured that Brazil faltered at the first hurdle. The WC introduced the world to Didi and Julinho Botelho.

Known as the man who shut up Maracana after 1954, Julinho moved to Fiorentina, Italy, and was fundamental for the team to conquer their first scudetto, in 1955/56; Julinho was invited to play the 1958 Cup, but refused, honestly saying that someone playing in Brazil deserved the chance; he came back to Palmeiras -and the Brazilian team - in 1959; in a match in Maracanã, Julinho was announced as substitute of Garrincha; 150,000 people booed Julinho as he entered the field; Julinho scored the first Brazilian goal in five minutes; he served for the second goal, as was the player of the match; in the end, the entire Maracanã stood up to applaud Julinho.

1958, Sweden

The line-up in the first match, against Austria:
De Sordi, Dino Sani, Bellini, Nilton Santos, Orlando and Gilmar;
M. Américo, Joel, Didi, Mazzola, Vavá and Zagallo.

Reserves: Castilho (G), Djalma Santos, Mauro, Zózimo, Oreco, Zito, Pelé, Dino Sani, Moacir, Dida and Pepe.
Coach: Vicente Feola.

In the build up to the tournament it was widely believed that Brazil possessed the skill, speed, strength and stamina but not the emotional maturity to win the tournament. From the team of 1954, few remained; from the principals, only two: Nilton Santos and Didi. On May 29th, Brazil played against Fiorentina; in a given moment, Garrincha takes the ball and dribbles the entire defense; before kicking to the open goal, he awaits another defender to arrive; he dribbles the adversary again and only then does he score the goal. The psychologist said that such a player had no conditions to play in the Brazilian team. In the next match, on June 1st, against Internazionale in Milan, Joel had replaced Garrincha. After a disappointing draw against England it was believed that the team needed a bit of unpredictability for the match against USSR and in came Zito, Pele and Garrincha. The legend of Pele was born. The ‘Black Pearl’ opened his WC account against Wales. He went on to score a hat-trick against Just Fontaine’s France and also scored in the demolition act in the final against Sweden. The world had seen glimpses of the king. Brazil deservingly won the World Cup for the first time.

Why was Pele given # 10? In 1958, the numbers in the uniforms would be defined by the respective comissions, and would remain unchanged through the tournament. The Brazilian Comission, however, overlooked this norm. The Swedish comissioner, rushed before the first Brazilian match, decided to assign numbers by himself.
Pelé, the youngest and probably least known of all players, was given the #10. This is one of the mystical stories which surround the career of Pelé.