We all wanted a final with passion

Now that we are faced with a final that may lack the passion we in Jamaica had hoped for, perhaps we can reflect on what happened at two important turning points. The great joy World Cup football brings is perhaps matched equally with the pain and stress that many of us experience. The double loss of Brazil and Ghana on the same day, however, may be the single worst day this time around. Jamaicans were in shock when Brazil succumbed to the Dutch. It was the unthinkable, so few of us had given thought to where to transfer our support in such an event. We were just getting to like Maicon and Juan. Robinho was coming into his own and we were all happy. The said thing was that Brazil played well for most of the game. There wasn’t much samba, but they controlled the game in long spurts and seemed to be moving tactically. But when they got careless the Dutch made them pay. It was painful watching Dunga’s reaction at the end. If nothing else, people will continue to question his decision not to bring Ronaldinho to South Africa. Ghana was pure heartbreak. They carried the hopes of Africa and its Diaspora and must have felt the weight of such a responsibility. For the most part, they took this job seriously and seemed destined to at least be in the semi finals. The quality of their game throughout the match was first class. When they put on the pressure in the last ten minutes most of their fans were sure they would pull it off. They also looked sure themselves. But it was not to be. Now we are faced with a clinical final as Spain test their clean frequent passing against the Dutch precision. I am sure we will all enjoy what I expect to be a splendid game. But we will ache, too, thinking of what might have been and how much more passion we would have been able to bring to the finals. Well, guess we have to wait four more years.