Thinking Orange

Let me take you back to a game that has been one of the most described and written about. But I cannot avoid that flashback. 1974 World Cup Final, The European Champions and hosts Germany, led by Kaizer taking on a group of people who only know how to entertain, clad in Oranje and giving sheer delight to crowds. At the group stages, when Beckenbauer's defensive tactics were coldly greeted by even the home fans, these few men were making merry out of the game. They were there to enjoy, to sing, to dance, to flirt, and much importantly along with all that they were presenting a new brand to the world, called 'Total Football'. The main architect was a handsome man named Johan Cruyff. Dissolving the 'all out attack' policy of the 'Magic Magyars' led by Puskas twenty years before into their own style of interchanging positions and a truely fantastic passing organization, they brought to the game, a new set of rules. Or they changed some rules, that there is a player who can only play in his position. Haan, a member of that team remarked, "Our plan was only to pass the ball around and finally give the ball to Johan". He meant Cruyff, but there was another Johan in the side, a wonderful goal-scorer with the name Neeskens. Those group of men mocked the conventions and thrashed opponents in their way. Then the final came. Holland exchanged 17 passes before Germans touched the ball, Cruyff lying too deep until then, came flying in and he was tripped inside the box. Referee pointed to the spot. Neeskens made no mistake. Then the Oranje men started to tease the Germans. It is said, "there is no worse person you can meet, than an angered German". And so was "Kaizer" Franz Beckenbauer and he transformed the whole of the German side. They were forced to attack, but they did it with more fierce and determined authority. Then Germany copied the oranje style of total football. Another controversial penalty and a stunner just before half time from "Bomber" Muller sent Germany 2-1 up at halftime. Cruyff earned him nothing but a yellow card after complaining with the referee. The scoreline stayed at the Final whistle. A lot of people said that the victory was a defeat of 'Total Football'. It wasnt. It was that Germany had also copied that style, and they won.

Now come back to today. 32 years have gone by, that hero of 74 is now the cheif organizer.The stage is almost the same. Dutchmen come to Germany with a very young side, a 'young' manager as well, great Marco van Basten. Ruud van Nistelrooy, Cocu and Robben are known to all. At least somebody knows Sneidjer,van Bommell and van der Vaart. But what about Landzaat, Maduro, Babel and Kuyt? They can be household names after the tournament. Will history repeat? There is no equal to Cryuff in this side(Or any side), though Ruud is the best to score goals and Robben truly gifted. But can somebody else, unknown to a lot, come out as a hero for the occasion. There are chances, at least there is a dream. They may come as a group of men to rescue this game from the hands of all defensive minded, rash tackling and player-acting 'superstars'. It is certainly a dream, a vivid one, with a definite orange hue.