Local football fans react to world Cup 2010 results

Although it was the result that most were expecting or hoped for, local football fans say that {{more}} the 2010 World Cup finals was not as exciting as those in the recent past.

SEARCHLIGHT caught up with a number of fans of the Spanish team who came out to Tony’s Pizzeria in Kingstown on Sunday, July 11 to take in the finals between Spain and The Netherlands, which was being played in Soccer City, South Africa.

Spain won the game one nil to take home the FIFA World Cup after their first appearance in the finals.

An Andres Iniesta strike in the 116 minute of the game secured the game for the Spaniards and had supporters of the team in their homeland and around the world in a frenzy.

Here at home, the result was well received even though most agree that the game was not the best performance that they had seen from the Spanish team.

“It was alright, but it was not as impressive as other matches they played in the World Cup,” one supporter noted. “I am still glad that they came away with the win though.”

One other fan, who agreed with the first, indicated that the poorer level of play was probably due to the rough play of the Dutch, who collected more than 10 yellow cards and one red, on the way to their third failure in a World Cup finals.

The win gives Spain the dual title of World and European champions, they having won the European title in 2008.

Some supporters of Holland blame the teams loss to some ‘errors’ made by British referee Howard Webb whose decisions in favour of the Spanish team may have turned the tide of the game.

“That should not have been a red card” said a fan, referring to the sending off of defender Johnny Heitinga.

“… and the goal was offside too,” he quipped.

An overall interest in the competition waned here after the exit of some of the more popular teams, namely Germany, Argentina and world favorites Brazil.

But with local viewers having access to the Spanish Football League ‘La Liga’, there was still some interest in the competition since most football fans were familiar with a number of the Spanish players.

The 2010 World Cup may not have been one of the most exciting tournaments, but most are satisfied the first World Cup hosted by an African nation ended with some level of success and that a team which was predicted to win from the outset actually took home the title.(JJ)