Brazil showed how we should all take on the world and still come out on top regardless of how big an obstacle we got to climb. In case you missed it, last night was the finals of the FIFA Confederations cup final between United States and South American Brazil.
Going into this final, Brazil were the overwhelming favourites to win but whoever has been following the two weeks tournament USA was not a team to write off. USA made a dramatic turn around to beat both Egypt and Spain, teams that appeared with superior soccer skills. They produced the greatest shock of the entire tournament thrashing the current FIFA World champions Spain with a two (2) goals to nothing victory.
Last night was no different either. They took advantage of a less settled Brazil in the first half to claim 2 goals to nothing by half time. Watching the game on national TV, my bet was on Brazil to win and silently prayed for it. My reasons: very good team with faboulous soccer. USA probably would not as passionate as the Brazilians at winning a soccer trophy.
All half time commentaries were for the USA delivering another shock teaching the mighty Brazil soccer, but alas it never came to pass. Brazil diligently worked to the end never giving up, always searching and attacking and by the 83rd minute were three (3) goals up to USA’s earlier two (2) goals. A thrilling match it was but with a lesson for us all that no matter whatever hill or mountain you got to climb, however many times you fall and even if you been written off by other people: Be Persistent in pursuit of your goal.
I watched the game also, with one difference: my wife, (Brazilian born) was rooting for the Brazilian team (obviously), while I (US born) had hopes for the US team. At half-time she wouldn’t even speak to me.
The Israel TV commentary was just the opposite of what you describe—the commentators were sure that Brazil would fight back and bring the game into overtime, maybe even into a penalty shoot-out. They expected Brazil to win, but not within regulation time.
I tried telling my wife that I believed the Brazilian team would fight their way back into the game, but she wouldn’t listen… until the 46th minute, when Luís Fabiano scored his first goal—and the rest, as they say, is history.
The Brazilian comeback is a prime example of something my coaches in the US used to say: “Quitters never win and winners never quit!” The Brazilians never quit, and neither did the North Americans.
It was a hard-fought game, with two well-matched opponents that both “came to play”, and it was a pleasure to watch as a spectator.
My wife now tells me that the US team will be the opponents’ “nightmare team” in next year’s World Cup.
Just a little warning... soccer here has been known to be a marriage breaker and some cases a strong driver for mass murder. I wonder how you would have handled your wife if her team lost. She probably wouldn’t touch for an entire week let alone look at your smiley face ;-)