Lessons learnt from WC 2014

The greatest sporting event, the FIFA World Cup 2014 ends with the victory of Germany as World Cup winner for the fourth time and first time for any European team to win in Latin America. The German team in all played seven games including the final and scored 18 goals in favour with only four goals against with no defeat in any game. This is a record. The German team proved their competency in all areas to win the Cup.

This global fever of World Cup started on 12 June with 32 teams playing 64 matches under the command of 52 referees. The excitements mounted round the world at every stage from group stage play to knock out, quarter final to semi-final and final, thus leaving lessons at every stages of the games.

The Brazilians staged protest at the beginning of World Cup mainly because of the expenditure to the tune of US$ 14.00 billions. The reasons of protest were partly political since the people thought that President Madam Dilma Rousseff possibly had planned to win the World Cup to get advantage to win the election. Madam President took care of arrangements of the World Cup but could not oversee the strength of her native team.

The Brazilian team in total had to digest 14 goals with humiliating 7-0 defeat against Germany in the semi final. The reason for such debacle may surely be over confidence of Brazil team as five times winner of World cup (1958, 1962, 1970, 1994, 2002). Besides, their team members like Neymar Jr. Oscar, Fred, Hulk etc were considered unparalleled and unrivalled. The coach of Brazil, Mr. Luiz Felipe Scolari had to resign accepting the responsibility for the failure. Thus unguarded arrangements with vanity could bring misfortune as learnt from this World Cup.

Another important lesson is the sustainability of quality and continuity of efforts. Spain, the World Cup winner of 2010 could not reach the second qualifying round since they ignored to sustain their qualities and maintain the standard for which they had to digest five goals from Netherlands and two goals from Chile. Robin Van Persie of Netherlands scored one plying head goal against Spain that's been considered as one of the best goals in this World Cup.

In fact, all gains should be made sustainable for which Conference of Rio-de Janeiro held in 2012 made a declaration on sustainability  known as Rio+20 call to attain sustainable development in every areas of human quality improvement including education, health etc. This is equally applicable for an individual, a country and for a team as well. Spain possibly failed to realise the needs of sustainability of their gains of World Cup 2010.

The tolerance, sanity and sportsman spirit of Brazilian spectators appeared to be a lesson of this World Cup. On 9^th July, while German scorers like Muller, M. Klose, Kroos started to humiliate the Brazilian team scoring goals one after another and reached to 7, many of us thought some spectators might get frustrated and do something unruly but they did nothing of sort only shedding tears for such defeat.

On the other hand, on 13 March, 1996 during the semi final of cricket between Sri Lanka and India, while India lost 8 wickets for 120 runs with inevitable humiliating defeat, some spectators entered the field with water bottles and rotten fruits and spoiled the match. The patience and sanity shown by Brazilians were found highly commendable and should be followed everywhere round the world in future also.

During this World Cup, the application of physical force was found increased than any other games played earlier. Luis Suarez, a popular player of Uruguay found biting the Italian defender Giorgio Chiellini on his neck and such incident was never seen before. Luis Suarez scored wonderful two goals on 9 June against England to defeat. Of course, he was found guilty by FIFA and suspended for 9 months, 4 months no activity with football and fined one lakhs CHF. Another player of Colombia Huan Camilla Junia injured the backbone of Brazil's player Neymar Jr. The punishment applied to Luis Suarez was appreciated highly for the sake of strong discipline. This is the example of good governance that should be followed everywhere.

FIFA has introduced a few innovative approaches during this World Cup like use of vanishing foam for free kicks and goal line technology. FIFA also introduced biological passport to check blood and urines a measure of anti-doping. All players and teams accepted this disciplinary measure to follow. In spite strong steps, during the game between Coast Rica and Greece, there were six yellow cards and one red card were used to restore discipline and this was the highest number of cards shown during this World Cup.

In fact, the competition among different teams was not only entertaining but their technique of use of time and space and positioning by fellow players were highly educative for all soccer players of the world.

None felt any racial discrimination or country's position during this World Cup. Costa Rica, a Central American country with the population of only 43 lakhs successfully drew the attention of the world and Bosnia Herzegovina, a country with the population of only 38.71 Lakhs (2014) appeared for the first time in the World Cup and defeated Iran in the group stage and proved their presence justified.

The greatest show on the earth is over creating a sense of unified world enjoying the songs of Shakira "La La La" and dancing by Brazilians troupe. The theme song of this world cup, "Dar Um Jeito" (we shall find the way) sung by Brazilian singer Pirez made the audience unmoved. The World Cup of 2018 to be held in Russia might initiate more innovations and strengthen the spirit of the unity of nations round the world.

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Dhiraj Kumar Nath is a former secretary and adviser to the caretaker government. He is also an avid football fan.