Brazil, Argentina need 'Maradunga'

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The most controversial parts of this World Cup until now, apart from the referee decisions, have been the Vuvuzela trumpet and the Jabulani ball. We are all used to controversy in big sporting events and at the same time, must the culture of the country in whose events are held. Every country has its own way of encouraging its team, England are famous for their chanting and singing, South America is known for its Mexican wave, the Spanish are famous for Manolo and his drum and we now know that South Africa's way is the vuvuzela. We have to be open minded about it. Yes it is too noisy specially when thousands are using it, but football is not tennis which requires silence when play is on. Players and coaches will just have to adapt.

Coming to the Jabulani, I feel the teams who are the most vocal about it are the ones who have either lost or drawn their games. Jabulani was launched six months ago in December and FIFA did provide the balls to teams to get used to it. If there were any problems regarding the ball why wait till the start of the World Cup to raise the issue. It's a level playing field anyway as every team is using the same ball. We have seen great blunders and howlers as well as great goals and saves, and the ball has nothing to do with that. The only positive in all this is that the Jabulani has drawn the attention away from the referees who were usually blamed whenever a team lost!

Portugal was not one of those teams which lost their opening game, but yet again, they have disappointed the world and it is most certainly was not the Jabulani's fault. However, there was nothing unusual in their performance because be it the European Championships or the World Cup either with Luis Figo and/or the Cristiano Ronaldo generation, Portugal have never risen to the expectations of their fans. Ronaldo looks a shadow of the player we have known in the past few years, one who had a vast variety of skills feared by defenders.

Against Ivory Coast, he failed both as a player, with an overall average performance, and as a captain when he picked up a yellow card rather pushing himself and his teammates to react positively to the pressure applied on them by Ivory Coast. Even their coach Queiroz seemed more distracted by the FIFA decision to allow Didier Drogba to play with a plaster on his hand.

Ivory Coast, on the other hand, looked organized and physical with lot of speed and skills. It is not surprising with a squad made up of players like Kolo and Yaya Toure, Eboue, Kalou, Drogba who play their trade in the world's biggest clubs.

Drogba's passion and patriotism was moving. He was operated on his fracture just a few days ago and yet he make a quick return and got into the game. With his leadership qualities, a group of players who are physical, skillful with a good tactical sense, I think the Ivory Coast will be the team to beat in the Group of Death. If they manage to qualify to 16 round then, I would not be surprised to see them go all the way.

Like Drogba with Ivory Coast, I see Lionel Messi playing a role for Argentina.

I see Messi as one of those truly exceptional players in the Pele, Maradona, Zidane class. There is no player in his league at this World Cup and while Kaka, Ronaldo, Rooney are all great players, it is Messi who is at another level. He is the only player at present that can single handily win games.

In fact I'm pretty sure that if Argentina reach the final and he is not injured, I'm sure he will be the best player of the World Cup.

It is obvious to anyone that his coach recognises Messi's special quality because he had it himself. Maradona has coached Argentina like he played his football; flamboyant, creative, always the centerpiece, always the star.

He coaches like he wanted to be coached, giving his players a lot of freedom to express themselves although I wonder if Argentina have a clear strategy. It is the complete opposite to what is happening with another star player turned coach. As a player Dunga was hard working, efficient and a man of simplicity and now he coaches in the same way. His approach is basic and businesslike: first, he wants the team to win and then to put a good show. It must be said that either style can succeed or flop.

I believe though that a mixture of both philosophies will definitely give teams a better result. So perhaps what Argentina and Brazil both need to win this World Cup is a coach who answers to the name of "Maradunga".