Defenders: Holding fort away from the spotlight
BACKBONE From Varela to Cannavaro, men watching the back have often led teams to title on the biggest stage
World War II had derailed the World Cup for 12 years until it returned to Brazil in 1950. In hunt for their first title, the hosts had booked their place in the final at Rio’s iconic Maracana stadium against inaugural champions Uruguay.
Riding high on their flamboyant style and a 200,000 strong home support, Brazil looked favourites. But Uruguayan captain Obdulio Varela had other ideas. Varela marshalled the Uruguayan defence to keep Selecao at bay with surprising comfort before half time. But two minutes into the second half, the hosts took the lead through Friaca to send the overcrowded stadium into frenzy.
Varela knew he had to step up. And so, the No 5 began to push forward. Nineteen minutes after the opening goal, Varela found Alcides Ghiggia, who beat his man on the right before putting in a cross for Juan Alberto Schiaffino to equalise. Uruguay would go on to take the lead through Ghiggia in the 79th minute and lift the trophy for a second time.
Varela’s role helped bring to redefine a defender’s role in football. A role that would become more than just thwarting forwards; rather becoming a definitive factor in a team’s success.
OF GOALS AND ACCOLADES
Only a few players can boast of a goal in a World Cup final and even fewer defenders. Carlos Alberto, captain of the famous 1970 Brazil team that won the World Cup in Mexico, is perhaps best known for his goal against Italy in the final. Alberto rounded off the fourth goal in the 4-1 win for the Selecao, a goal that is considered one of the best team goals in the tournament’s history.
Andreas Brehme, West Germany’s
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He was at the heart of the French team that won in 1998. His best came against Croatia in the semi-final when he pulled France back from 0-1 down with a brace. In 142 caps, those two were his only international goals. He is one of only two defenders to win the Fifa Player of the Year award (2006), after helping Italy win the Cup. In Germany, Italy conceded only two goals, an own-goal and a penalty. His best came in the semis win against Germany and he was nicknamed the ‘Berlin Wall’.
Italy’s Cannavaro (L) keeps France’s Zinedine Zidane off the ball during the 2006 World Cup final in Berlin. He is the only player to appear in three Cup title clashes. The right-back won the trophy twice, first in 1994 and then led Brazil to their record fifth title in 2002. Cafu is Brazil’s most capped player till date with 142 appearances to his name. 2 7 9
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Regarded one of England’s finest defenders, he went down in history books after leading the Three Lions to their only Cup win in 1966. The former West Ham star has a statue dedicated to him outside Wembley Stadium and was known for his unrelenting attitude.
Tickets for an Israel-Argentina friendly in Jerusalem next month with Lionel Messi expected in the line-up sold out within 20 minutes, the Israeli company handling sales said. The Le’an agency said on its website that nearly 100,000 fans applied for 20,000 tickets. “No sporting event has ever caused such hysteria in Israel,” it wrote. Prices ranged from 44 shekels (about $12,10 euros) for children and soldiers to 825 shekels in the VIP area. The game will take place on June 9 at the Teddy Stadium. On social media networks, tickets were being resold for up to 4,500 shekels on Monday.
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