SWOOSH0018'S BEST WORLD CUP X11

WOZA SA 2010 WOZA

SWOOSH0018’S BEST WORLD CUP XI

TEAM FORMATION
OPTION A
4-2-4

The first of the formation I have used for the squad of 13 players is the very famous 4-2-4 formation used by the Mighty Brazilians during the Pele era from 1958 to 1970 where they won 3 out of the 4 World Cup’s during that period. It comprises of 4 Defenders, 2 Midfielders and 4 Forwards with the Left Wing playing as a false winger and helping out the midfield. During Brazil’s dominance the false left wingers were Zagallo in 58 & 62 and Rivelino in the Magical 1970 team. Johan Cruyff is perhaps the best player to have in this position as he was Total Football’s greatest exponent as a player. He would be the ideal player to play as a false winger and help out the midfield. Mathauss will anchor the Midfield while Maradona would be the chief creator as Didi and Gerson were for Brazil. Beckenbauer & Cannavaro in the heart of defence with Carlos Alberto and Maldini the fullbacks. Upfront Garrincha on the Right with Pele & Ronaldo in the middle. Lev Yashin would be the last line of defence. The players to miss out from the selected squad are Zinnedine Zidane and Johan Neeskens.

OPTION B
4-3-3

The 4-3-3 formation is perhaps more solid then the other formations listed with the Back 4 remaining the same as above along with Matthaus & Neeskens as holding midfielders. Maradona would be the creative force with Pele the only centre forward. Garrincha & Cruyff would be the 2 wing forwards creating and scoring. The players left out in this formation are Zidane & Ronaldo.


OPTION C
4-3-3 (Attacking)

A variation of the 4-3-3 formation in Option B making it a more attacking team with Johan Neeskens falling out & Zinnedine Zidane coming in to make it a more attacking team. Zidane & Maradona would be the 2 attacking midfielders or inside (deep lying) forwards. The players left out in this formation are Neeskens & Ronaldo.


OPTION D
3-2-2-3 (W-M)

The 3-2-2-3 formation commonly known as the W-M formation was commonly used during the 1950’s and best demonstrated by the Mighty Magyars of Hungary. The 3 defenders would be Carlos Alberto and Maldini at Right & Left with Beckenbauer in the middle. Matthaus & Neeskens would be the holding midfielders while Zidane & Maradona the creative attacking midfielders or inside forwards. Pele the centre forward with Garrincha & Cruyff on the flanks. The players left out in this formation are Cannavaro & Ronaldo.


OPTION E
4-3-3 (Total Football)

Total football was the brand of football created by the Dutch under coach Rinus Michels in the 1974 & 1978 World Cups. The basis of this brand of football was that there was no set positions for the outfield players. Each player could be a centre forward or a centre back. In this formation I have swopped Maradona & Cruyff from what you have chosen and put Maradona as a Left Forward rather than a midfielder as he was quite devastating on the wing at times during his career. But as the Total Football brand demanded each player could play anywhere on the pitch as the system was quite a flowing format which allows players to play anywhere on the pitch where it was required. Ultimately Maradona, Pele, Cruyff, Beckenbauer etc would all alternate positions as needed. The players left out in this formation are Neeskens & Ronaldo.




OPTION F
3-3-4

This formation is perhaps a rather Gung-ho format. With only 3 defenders, 1 holding midfielder, 2 attacking midfielders and 4 forwards. Pure attacking football. In this formation I have swopped Zidane to left wing and Cruyff to midfield as Zidane has also featured in this position during his career. Defensively this team may not be as solid as the other but in attack no defence could hold this team. The players left out in this formation are Cannavaro & Neeskens.


TRIVIA QUESTION
Which nation in both of its World Cup appearances to date has lost twice to the Team who won the World Cup in those tournaments?


HOW TO VOTE:


Same rules as Previous section applies: You can vote for any 1 of the 6 formations A-F above ONLY. Voting procedure is same as last: Send your vote and answer via email to galactico786@gmail.com as well as email/cell phone number. Voting Closes 30 October 2009.


PRIZES:
The prize for the overall winner of the competition which is the person who correctly guesses the correct World XI and answers all Trivia Questions Correctly will be Copies of The Complete Set of World Cup Highlights DVD’s from 1954-2006, a total of 14 Discs.
And an Official 2010 World Cup Ball when it is released


LAST MONTHS ANSWER:


The answer to last months question of which of the World Cup Winning Captains won another World Cup as a player is:


Giuseppe Meazza (Italy) in 1934 as a player and 1938 as Captain


Hideraldo Bellini (Brazil) in 1958 as captain and 1962 as Squad Member (Did Not Play)


Mauro Ramos (Brazil) in 1958 as Squad Member (Did Not Play) and 1962 as captain


Daniel Passarella (Argentina) in 1978 as Captain and 1986 as Squad Member (Did Not Play)


Cafu (Brazil) in 1994 as a Player and 2002 as Captain




Galactico