Why Run When You Can Walk?

Remember that old Gary Player saying, "The more I practice, the luckier I get?" well France and Brazil must have been practising big time as our American cousins would say.

James Lawton in the Independent today eulogises Zinedine Zidane and quite frankly I think James must have gone out without his hat on. France were awful and the only thing this match proved is that Arsene Wenger is a better judge of player than Jose Mourinho, the former let Vieira go (good decision) whilst the chosen one is letting Gallas go (bad decision). Thierry Henry was his usual useless self at this level (when it counts) and you'd have to say that any manager will balls would drop Barthez, Vieira, Zidane and Henry at the earliest opportunity.

Brazil displayed exactly the same lack of enthusiasm as France and you have to say that Cafu, Roberto Carlos, Emerson and Ronaldo all lack a certain six appeal. Croatia lacked a decisive killer touch in front of the flapping Dida and but for a superb goal by Kaka the favourites would have gone away with just one point.

The trouble with Brazil is that you never know whether or not they are playing at their best or simply doing enough.

With all but Spain's Group having played I'd have to say the three sides that have impressed me most so far are Argentina, Holland and the Czech Republic.