And so, the Confederations Cup has come to an end, with Brazil running out as the victors. The United States were worthy opponents on the day, but a superb Brazil fightback led Dunga's side to victory.
Spain started the tournament looking bright and full of energy, but they ended the competition looking lethargic and in need of a summer's rest after losing their unbeaten run.
South Africa, the hosts, finished in fourth place, having given Spain an almighty scare in the 3rd place play off.
But, who is the real winner here?
Without a doubt, South Africa and the South African authorities are the real winners after this tournament as they have shown that the country can handle the pressures of hosting a world tournament.
Yes, there were problems, but the world will not remember the problems. The world will not remember the untrained staff who did not know how to deal with the influx of visitors. The world will not remember the poor transfer routes. The world will not remember the faults.
The world will remember the football...and that is all that the authorities could have ever hoped for.
South Africa will host the 2010 Fifa World Cup.
But, I'm not happy.
South Africa will host the 2010 World Cup.
That sentence...it still doesn't quite make sense to me. I wonder...do they deserve it?
Sepp Blatter has always said that he would give Africa a World Cup. He promised it. He has delivered it. But why? Is the country ready? No chance.
The transport links are appalling. The roads (and there aren't many) are in poor condition and work that is to be carried out to make new roads and new transport links is still going on. Will it be ready? I'm not sure. Will it be rushed? I hope not. I really do. The football grounds are nowhere near ready for a World Cup. Yes, there has been some progress made, but that is not enough. The stadia are currently nowhere near the required level, and the plans made for stadia are still that...plans.
£2 billion is being pent on the country for the tournament, but if there was that money available, why was it not spent on improving policing, health services or education? Yes, this event has given the country a new lease of life, but it may lead to many more lives being ended. If fans stray away from recommended areas, then they will be in real danger. Yes, the crime rate has dropped recently in South Africa, but it has barely dropped when you look at the figures in detail. It has dropped from a very high number, to a high number. Either way, innocent people are dying. Last year, 18,500 people were murdered, and 36,000 raped. And those were the cases that were reported...there could easily have been many more...And you want to hold a World Cup there?
Countries are rewarded, when they are awarded the Finals. However, I would like to know, how has South Africa deserved this tournament?
The argument that we should help these countries now, so that they can grow in stature is a compelling one...until you realise this.
This is the WORLD CUP. This is the BIGGEST football competition in the world...bar none. This is not the testing ground for Fifa. This is not time for an experiment.
What should we do?
If I'm honest, I'm not sure exactly. Maybe the Confederations Cup could simply be held in a developing country whilst the World Cup is held in the actual host country.
However, if the country is not ready, it should not be given the Finals. It's not fair. The biggest tournament in world football deserves to go to a country who is ready. A country who is raring to go.
Sadly, South Africa is not that country. Not yet.
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