Team

Team guts always beat individual greatness. -- Bob Zuppke

Havent blogged for quite a while. Using tumblr seemed easier.

But I guess taking a break, or pure laziness is the reason. Have been busy with work, with reading and following WC 2010 and wimbledon.

Anyway, I must blog about this.

Yesterday, I watched the most inpiring and exciting match of WC 2010 so far, the demolition of ARG by Destuche Nationale Mannschaft, 4-0. After all the fanfare about "the hand of God" Maradona and his much-fancied star-studded team centred solely on Messi, they were taught how to play true soccer by a youthful German team, shredding the ARG defence into pieces and in the process scored 4 fantastic goals. There are alot of good articles abt the match so I shan't do this with my limited language ability. :D But there are qualities that the Destuche demonstrate so far which I thought I would share here.

Hardwork
Having talent and potential is really not enough. hard work, consistent practice, good physical ability, laying solid foundation is the key. Many a times, we keep commenting that one has talent, one has the flair, but having talent, potential and flair is not enough. Hard work and consistency is the key.

Discipline and Respect
One thing that I increasingly hate to see in prof soccer is all these cheating and faking. Germans showed a lot of discipline in this match and the previous matches. no "hand of god" to cheat and deny a legitimate goal, or win a World Cup, no faking injury to win, no wild gestulations and shouting at referees and assistant officials. Just a simple shake of head, a stare or glare, get up and move on. and disciplined in attacks and defence. If I will be say any team that comes close, Japan and Koreans and perhaps, New Zealand. Bottomline is Respect; Respect the game.

Teamwork
No Individualistic heroism, but individual creativity,
focus is on collective success,
selfless passing,
collective discipline in defence and attack.
Essence of the word "Team"

Confidence and Humility
This is something that I respect alot. There is tremendous confidence in the German defence and counter-attacks. Yet, when they win, it's just simple high-fives and smiles and salutes to the fans, no fanfare, no over-reactions, low profile, because there are still matches to play, their job is still not done.

Role-model
A coach is a beacon to the team, a leader and as a leader, there is a need to role-model. "Hand of God" a role model? Hardly so.

So, this match is like a microcosm of school, how School should be, how I wish students can be and will be, and what kind of students should we be nurturing. No empty talks, no thumbing down others or what were done previously to inflat self-egos, or engage in things that are superfluous (in my view). Just do it, with confidence and humility.

Getting philosophical. but, well, with Federer out of wimbledon, I will pray and look forward to Germany lifting the WC.

:D