Cape Verde is better than China

I'm on summer holidays, which means I lounge round the house and think about stupid stuff. But lately I've been thinking about football, thinking about what has gone on globally in the football world this summer. The U-20 World Cup, the Copa America, the Asian Cup, and also, Becks coming to USA and trying to spread the sport.

And I've been thinking about why some countries are better than others. So I checked out the FIFA world rankings. I know these aren't perfect, and I really don't like them at all, but they give you a ball park, something to go on, and they aren't really that crucial to my point. I saw that Cape Verde Islands (sixty eight) are ranked higher than China (73).

Think about that, Cape Verde, population of about 420 000, is better than China, population 1 300 000 000. There are more examples, but simply put, it seems there is little correlation between population, and national team ability.

So maybe it is related to resources? Canada (52) is part of the G7; one of the richest countries in the world, and Mali (forty eight) is better. Mali is one of the top 10 poorest countries in the world. Its life expectancy for men is 47, its budget is about 700 million a year. It is dead poor, and yet, better than Canada, a G7 country.

Maybe it's climate, Canada is cold and not suited to football. Sweden (20) and Russia (23) are just as cold and snowy, and yet, much better.

Maybe it's coaching and preparation. Well, Iraq's current form would bin that idea. They didn't even practice or know each other before the Asian Cup. Nor do they have a national league, obviously.

Essentially, good teams are from countries that fully, 100% embrace football, make it part of the culture and history. Everything else can be overcome. And that's why in at least the next 10 world cups, USA will never win it, and Canada will never qualify. It is not part of our culture or history, and never will be.

More precisely, Canada will not qualify because from the bottom up everything is split 50/50 between boys and girls, men and women. USA will not win it, because it's a sport for white, middle to upper class, suburban boys and girls.

Football and social studies are my favorite things, and I am trying to put them together. To see the bigger picture. To realize that football is the only thing that you could take anywhere in the world and the people would probably like it, and what that means.

Maybe I am on to something. Or maybe I have had one too many and the summer night is just a bit too hot and a bit too long.

 

What?!!!!!!

Where did you get that.... Make assumptions?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iraq_natio ... tball_team

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iraq_Super_League

 

RE: Re: Cape Verde is better than China

I'm shocked about the league. People don't even leave their houses in Baghdad so not sure how a league can go on. Seems like a hotspot for bombs.

And as far as I know/knew the prep for the men's team has been very small if any. That was collaborated by the folks on the worldsoccerdaily show yesterday.
Regardless, the country is experiencing some turmoil to say the least.

 

There may be something to that, on the other hand perhaps not so much. If the group of players is talented and committed then it may not matter if the whole country is world cup mad. It could in fact be a bonus, no risk of choking in the face of the press(England). Is this why Tampa and Anaheim can find it within themselves to win a Cup but no Canadian team can? In any case 10 world cups is 40 years! Your very bold making that statement. The US may not win(or they might just) but I'd bet a serious amount of cash that Canada will qualify at least once in the next 40 years. They play in CONCACAF! They're going to sort it out one of these times, they may even find themselves in South Africa.

Thats kind of a tired out line which is used sooo repetivly every time the Guardian wants to slag off USsoccer and thus the US as a whole. There is some truth it of course. The biggest game of this countries youth is soccer and that is particularly so in the white suburbs. But here in St. Paul one mustn't go far to see african, asian, and hispanic youth playing soccer. Thats reflected in our most recent U-20 team which hardly waspy suburban white in composition.

 

RE: Re: Cape Verde is better than China

Yes Don, there will always be upsets and overachievers, that's why we watch, that's why we support Fulham. But I am talking win the World Cup, not beat France in the opener, not make it to the Quarters, not lose the final on kicks, win it. For me there is a big difference.

Pele said an African team would win by 2002, I don't think they will win any of the next 10 either. Nor will Asia or Concacaf. Look at the teams that have won. 3 in South America which all border each other (Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay). And 4 in Europe which, with the exception of a swimmable channel, all touch one of the others (England, France, Germany, Italy). Think about that, there have been 18 World Cups, and every winner shares a border with another winner.

Drinkers may be familiar with the wine, vodka, and beer belts in Europe. I think there is also a football belt, one in South America, and one in Europe.

Canada will not become a power in CONCACAF, and I've got a whole list why, for another post.

Barry, I'm not saying more and more kids are not playing football, they are. Football is the biggest sport in Canada, but Canadians and people around the world would still think it's hockey, because our culture is still hockey through and through. When the Canadian hockey team plays the whole country watches, when the Canadian football team plays, nobody cares.

In the States I heard that there are currently 14 million kids across the states in summer football camps. That's great, but I don't see it as anything but some summer fun, some recreation to fight obesity.

Despite the increase in fields and players in the States, I don't see it as part of the mainstream culture. Football is still a sport for girls and middle class white boys. The interest just isn't there. The MLS has been around for 10 years and the viewing figures have held steady, they haven't gained any new viewers. Nor fans in the seats. I'd be interested in the viewing figures for American games at Germany 2006. Anyone have those? I see viewers as better way to judge interest in football than players.

The World Cup 1994 and MLS should've increased the number of people watching football tenfold, but I don't see that as the case. The MLS is catering to the average sports fans, when it should cater to football fans, and wait for others to join. The league should be one table, home and away matches versus everyone, and that's it. No playoffs. That is proper football and would also increase interest in the cups they play and make them mean something. But even if they do that, they will still suffer from geography. MLS lacks away fans and derbys, and that's too bad.

 

Good to see some interest!


Is this why Tampa and Anaheim can find it within themselves to win a Cup but no Canadian team can?

That's a different kettle of fish. Hockey is not like football. Oddly enough, Anaheim had more Canadians than Ottawa.

 

Re: RE: Re: Cape Verde is better than China

Okay, but why aren't they playing football, basketball, or baseball? This was not the case not to many years ago. Obviously theres something behind it.

I know the final pulled 17 million. I recall the US-Italy game being over 10 million. These are very good numbers for a sporting event. Can't recall much else.

 

RE: Re: RE: Re: Cape Verde is better than China

Andy I would have said the same thing about ten months ago. I have four kids that all have played recreational soccer coached by moms and dads and it was only for fun and exercise.

However, after the end of the last recreational season my two youngest said they would like to play beyond the end of the season so they joined a local soccer club. My eyes were opened to the level of training available to kids in our local community. My daughter is part of an academy program run by nationally licensed coaches with state high school championships to their credit. My son is coached by a nationally licensed coach who played at a top division college. As far as I can tell every team at their club is coached by individuals with similar credentials including some with professional experience. There are also four other clubs in our local community with similar levels coaching offered at each club.

In order to join one the clubs the kids make an 8 to 10 month commitment annually. They begin training in the late summer with a few matches in the fall and continue training throughout the winter with most of their matches occuring in the spring.

If I had to guess I would guess that most of the 14 million kids you mentioned do not receive this level of training. However, even if you guessed ten percent of them are thats alot of kids receiving training at a fairly high level.

 

RE: Re: RE: Re: Cape Verde is better than China

I think soccer in the U.S. may yet be the biggest capitalist sports experiment this country has seen.

Why? Because soccer is not a traditionally watched or advocated sport, local goverments don't really care that much about the administration, management, or investment in it.

It will be non-conventional ideas, like Friedel's, that really make soccer popular and advance its growth and results in and for the United States.

I'll be meeting with a fellow, tomorrow morning, regarding this here in South Walton.

P.S. The United States is not destined to wallow in mid-level mediocrity forever.