Goal feast shouldn't be expected after goal fest

Finally there has been a match that has provided goals. Germany’s 4-0 crushing of Australia seems to not only have delighted fans of the three time world champions but also fans universally. The reason being? Simply because tournament is yet to come to life.

To be fair, the tournament is only three days old but fans were starting to complain that South Africa 2010 was yet to depict the colour and drama that had been portrayed so wonderfully in the opening ceremony. Fans however, have to understand that with football evolving from the wonderful carefree game it once used to be to the capitalistic business orientated game it has become now, much more is at stake. The end to end open games that may have once taken place in tournaments of years gone by will not be the order of the day for the opening game of a countries world cup campaign.

The aim for most teams in a tournament as important as this is to not lose the first game because of the pressure and danger the result may bring. This does not mean that teams will not be going all out to win the game because they will. It just means the all out plan to win a game will have a different definition to what we think it may mean.

While we, the fans, may think of the ‘all out’ method to be kamikaze attacking football, players and especially managers will try to implement a more conservative approach so they do not leave themselves exposed. They will be trying instead to create as much as they can within reason, taking those chances clinically at the same time. More a case of not going all out to win but instead going all out not to lose.

A perfect example of this was the match between England’s other opponents in group C, Algeria and Slovenia. This certainly was no classic in terms of the football on show but both teams tried to be tight at the back while still creating chances, albeit not many, to try and win the match knowing a draw, especially after England and America’s result, would not mean the end of the world. Instead Slovenia went on to win the match late on with, ironically, another goalkeeping era from the Algerian keeper. France v Uruguay was another example of a lack of urgency to win the game as the slightest mistake could cost either team a valuable point that could make all the difference when it comes down to final standings in the group.

Teams that come up against each other in the opening games are trying to find their feet and it shouldn’t be forgotten that nerves can play a part. Yes, you might throw the argument that these men are professionals who have salaries to match, but I dare anyone of you to play on the world’s biggest stage, with the eyes of the world and the pressure of a nation on you. Enough to make the coolest of characters cautious and anxious.

While the German’s displayed a rare goal glut of a performance tonight, it shouldn’t be expected that this is now officially the start of the tournament and good performances. As great a game as it was to watch, you may not get many teams or games that will provide great entertainment for fans until possibly the second round of group stage games where teams will understand and will be able to influence their fate.