DEAR EDITOR – Watch out Solomons!
There is a new brand of football or soccer as is popularly known now generally being played in Brasil at the World Cup.
It is a blend of rugby, Aussie rules, and the little that is left of soccer as we are used to playing.
The new brand I am referring to here was best displayed by the World Cup match between Italy and Uruguay.
In one instance, Baloteli jumped so high to kick that both his feet were as high as one defender’s face, nearly taking it off.
Both players were in upright positions with the defender standing, and Baloteli jumping straight up like an Aussie rules player jumping so high to catch the ball.
There was so much use of hand, and in one instance teeth (Suarez again) in that match it was incredible.
At times one felt that match was a rugby game as both sides grabbed and groped at each other’s bodies and shirts.
The message for Solomon Islands soccer is that this is the manner the game is going to be played internationally.
There is going to be a lot of physicality in international matches which we too should get used to and apply ourselves and get away with. Nothing short of this would do.
Gabriel Taloikwai
Honiara
