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Is dull World Cup down to the ‘terrible’ Jabulani ball?
Yet more criticism of the Adidas ball - but things in South Africa could be about to pick up
As the first round of matches at the World Cup ended with two more 1-0 wins there was yet more criticism of the tournament - with most of it aimed, once again, at the controversial Jabulani ball.
The name might come from the Zulu word for 'celebrate', but many observers hold it directly responsible for the notable lack of goal celebrations so far this summer. Indeed, some have nicknamed it the 'Jumanji', after the Robin Williams film, on account of its capriciousness.
England manager Fabio Capello is one of the latest to have a pop at the Adidas-manufactured ball, which he said was the worst he had ever seen.
"For the players it is terrible," said the forthright Italian. "It is also terrible for the keepers because it is impossible to anticipate the trajectory."
He explained that not only did it make shots at goal a lottery, it also prevented long passes from ending up in the right place.
England's main man Wayne Rooney was as blunt as his manager and described it as a "nightmare".
Even the usually laid back Sven Goran-Eriksson agrees. The former England boss is now manager of Ivory Coast and he has called for a meeting about how to fix the problem.
It's not just those using the ball who are concerned, broadcasters seem to be getting frustrated as well. Writing on his blog, the BBC's sports editor David Bond described the tournament as "the most boring World Cup in history" and went on: "Most people seem to be pointing the finger of blame at the swerving Jabulani."
Adidas though remain steadfast in their defence of the ball, which they claim was fully tested and offered to the teams well in advance of the tournament.
And it is not all doom and gloom. South Africa's coach, the veteran Brazilian Carlos Alberto Parreira, blamed the lack of goals on first round nerves and a negativity borne of not wanting to lose their opening game in the tournament.
He may have a point - Uruguay thrashed his own South African team in the first game of the second round of matches, and showed far more enterprise and willingness to attack than they had against France.
Then there is also the fact that as the tournament wears on the players will inevitably become used to the ball's idiosyncracies. It is surely no co-incidence that the most impressive team in the first week was Germany, whose players have been using the Jabulani in their domestic league competition since February.
Adidas will be praying that the players do master the Jabulani and begin to attack more as the tournament wears on. If so then by the time it's all over fans will have forgotten a less-than-spectacular opening week for the World Cup. ·
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As much as I love to see impossible goals come I also want to see breath taking saves. This world cup has lost the nerve for both. Thanks to the Jabulani ball the mighty are falling and there seems to be nothing that can be done about it. The movement of the ball lacks precission making it difficult for goal keepers to easily take hold of shots at first strike. the ball should not be changed 'cos it will be cheating fot those that suffered at its mercy. it has caused the world cup to be boring and too tight within the groups...we'll just wait and see the outcome.
From what I understand the Jabulani was designed by computer, in a process that used a wind tunnel and a robotic foot on a swinging arm in a laboratory. You'd be forgiven for thinking they might have involved a few footballers in the process, but none have so far said they had any input in the design phases. ie; the people who have to use it were presented with an 'objet accompli' and told to get on with it. What Adidas have done is create a perfect missile that does not allow the players anything like as much control as there is on a 32 panel stitched ball. They have made it aerodynamic where it should have wind resistance that the players can use to make it move (just like the Nike and Umbro balls used in the English Premiership). Adidas have taken the art out of the free kick, the accuracy out of the cross, the skill out of the long pass and the entertainment out of the game. As a lifelong football fan, I have only this to say; if Adidas still believe that they have created the perfect football, then why does it not provide the perfect football match? What they have done is satisfy a complex set of technical parameters that took no account of the players, nor, more crucially, the fans. The fact that they stand so solidly by their theory that they have created a masterpiece is as stubborn a claim as BP's that they haven't ruined 'much of the ocean'.
lol blaming the ball...blame the shoes.. blame the stadium...get real and accept defeat...