The World Cup goal that was/not?

Now, I could hark on about how unfair it is that England got knocked out by a referee's decision. Fact is, England simply where not good enough. Germany where there for the taking, as they are not as good as previous incarnations, but they where better organised, and took their chances whilst England just had no idea. 

However, what gets me is the "what if?" England managed to haul themselves back, and where actually pegging the Germans back mid-way through the first half, and if the ref had got the right call, who knows where the game would have gone! As it was, England had to push up during the second half as they where 1 goal down, and that left gaps which the Germans exploited, especially since the English defence really is slow!

Now, I know the Germans would argue that justice has been served with that "goal." However, after 1966, the Germans have since knocked England out of various competitions 4 times! I think justice has well and truly been done!

Besides, the England goal in 1966:

Drops pretty much on the line, granted not on the right side (for England), and the ref gave it. But it was close.

Lampards goal on the other hand, dropped well over the line. The linesman had a pretty good angle, and so did the ref. Having said that, the linesman made plenty of mistakes, offsides that weren't, and non-offsides that where... Would love to know why they made that call, and I fully expect the English media to pounce on the ref once they leave the constraints of the extra security ordered by FIFA.

If the ref had made the right call, then who knows how the rest of the game would have gone. I know people say that football is great because of these talking points, and FIFA argue that it is right that the rules remain the same from Sunday league football all the way through to the World Cup. However, introducing technology to help the ref is not changing the rules, just bringing in help. Besides, the game is NOT the same. Pub league football games do not have such massive connotations riding on them like a game in the World Cup. Pub league games are not played by guys who are at the height of physical fitness and technical ability (If they where, the Pub league players would not be in the Pub league!)

This is not the only referee screw-up either. In the later game, Tevez bagged the opening goal for Argentina despite being a good metre and a half off-side with the initial ball being played, and when he scored. During the USA - Slovenia game, the US scored a potential game-winning goal in the 86th minute, only for the ref to disallow it, inexplicably. 

Another talking point, during the Brazil - Ivory Coast game, when Keita ran into Kaka, then dropped to the floor as if shot dead. This then resulted in Kaka getting his second yellow, and getting sent off.

What was amazing was the fact that Kaka did not actually do anything! He just turned around as if to say "Who are you?" and ends up with a red! And what makes it worse, is that there is no recourse for Brazil to get the yellow/red card rescinded. Kaka had the red card, even though he did not deserve it!

There have been a lot of very odd decisions in this World Cup, and it has ruined many games. Australia had 2 red cards in 2 games. One, I can understand, kind of. The other? Well...

Anyway, what can be done? 

Technology! Bring in Hawkeye which is almost instantaneous to deal with goals, and allow refs the chance to check on video after a game to make sure their calls are right. Give teams the chance to challenge ref decisions. He can call a 5th official who has the advantage of watching TV's which can show things on replay pretty much straight away. A challenge can be dealt with in under 30 seconds. However, only allow challenges to be made with regards to goals, and penalty box stuff. Anything outside that, cards, etc, can be dealt with after the game. Also, allow the ref a chance to rescind yellow cards as well. Finally, if FIFA remains unwilling to do anything, then please, for the love of GOD bring in the extra linesmen! Ice Hockey is played on a much smaller surface, but has 3 officials on the ice, and another 2 acting off the ice. Tennis uses 7 to 11!

Ah well. FIFA declined to act after the "Hand of Henry" moment, but in the same year, we had several bizarre decision during the group stages (US - Slovenia), and then a couple of glaring cockups with Englands non-goal that was, and Argentina's goal that should not have been. Maybe FIFA will move to do SOMETHING now. The status quo cannot be maintained. I know FIFA has this ambition to keep the game the same through the pyramid, but when so much rests on the game like it does in the World Cup, something must be done!

Japan's lofty ambition!

Okada, the head coach of Japan looks a lot like a school teacher. And in many ways, acts like one. 

However, this does not stop him from having some big aspirations for his team, targeting the semi final stage. Considering that Japan has barely managed to scrape out of the group stages, and is on a pretty bad run of form at the moment, you have to wonder what will it take for them to get there?

Japan is a very strange animal when it comes to football. A nation that has risen quickly, and is currently ranked as the second highest nation in Asia. They reached the dizzying heights of 9th in the world back in 1998. They have won the Asian Championship 3 times, including back to back victories in 2000 and 2004.

However, recently, the danger that is growing and the JFA needs to realise, is that the Koreans are hard on the heels of the Japanese, and closing fast! The K League teams do now match up quite well with their J League compatriots. And recently, in a friendly before flying to Europe, the Japanese lost 2-0 to the Koreans. Not only that, but for a team playing at home before the World Cup, and against a near-neighbour, the Japanese stunk up the place.

Indeed, in the recent friendly against England, they could easily have been several to the good in the first half. But only managed the 1 goal. 

Why is this? Probably because Japan does not feature a playmaker. Not only that, but the team just does not have a creative bent to it. It is something that can be seen in the wider community here in Japan. If there is someone further up the tree, a Japanese worker is willing to defer to that senior persons position. Almost allowing them to make decision on the underlings behalf. Same with the football team. The players defer to the coach, and his instructions!

Indeed, Phillipe Troussier famously lamented his players lack of imagination and unwillingness to try something for themselves. Despairing, he ordered the hotel restaurant to close, and told his players that if they wanted to eat, they had to be creative. In other words, head out into town and find something. Shockingly, a good portion of the squad revealed that they had not eaten that night!

More recently, before Okada, Japan where coached by the Bosnian, Ivica Osim. Another who grew frustrated with Japan's inability to really take to the game and create some flair players. Famously ripping into his team one time, with his criticisms reducing the translator to tears.

It is something that can be seen beyond the squad, and up in the stands. Something I have seen myself. Now, in European and South American leagues, one set of fans will be chanting and cheering, and if the other guys score during, all hell will break loose! Boo's, jeers, insults, the list goes on! In Japan, if one set of fans start up with a chant (and they can be quite impressive!, and the other team scores, the first set will just carry on regardless, finishing off their pre-set chant!

Shunnosuke Nakamura did allude to this, when he was signed to Celtic. He commented that he loved the fans in Glasgow. He loved how they reacted to every little thing that happened on the field. The implication being that fans in Japan dont. Though I do feel that this is a little on the harsh side! Though there is a grain of truth in it, to some degree.

Is Japan incapable of creating free-thinking flair players? No. But given the society, it is tough. They have had them. In the past, there was Hidetoshi Nakata. Something of a rebel, and had a stint at Bolton! The Reebok made it onto several Aquarius drinks ads through him!

Is there anyone in the squad that can fill his boots now he has retired? Simply put: No. Shunnosuke Nakamura is probably the star player at the moment, but he is really Japans version of Beckham, but nowhere near as good, and without the monster desire to run over all the blades of grass. He is getting old now, and he has lost even more speed. He can still pass, and his free kicks are still accurate, but his game is getting more and more limited.

Any up and coming players? Maybe. In the current squad are a couple of young players who may be able to make a name for themselves as creative types. First of all, a young striker currently plying his trade in Italy, Takayuki Morimoto. A young lad with a bit of a rebellious streak, and a pretty darned good eye for goal! He could very well end up running Japan's striking line for many years to come.

The hope in midfield comes in the shape of Keisuke Honda. A 23 year old MF player who began to make a name for himself at VVV Venlo in the Dutch league, and now finds himself at CSKA Moscow, and playing in European competitions. He is proving popular, and has made himself a regular in CSKA's squad. He could very well be one to watch for the future.

Could these two push on a do great things? Yes. As long as they dont return to Japan. I like football here in Japan, they do genuinely enjoy it. But given Japanese societal norms that one has to conform to the group, it can be quite robotic. A point highlighted when Japan played South Africa. The final score was 0-0. The Japanese had the better of the play. Lots of good clean passing, dominated possession, and then it all falls apart when they get to the box as they lack the imagination to stick the knife in. So what do they do? Well, go back, and try again. Using the same method as before. Again, and again!

What can Japan do to correct this? Well, bring in a coach not bound by societal norms (I volunteer!), and put him in charge of youth development. The current squad is conditioned to have no imagination, and a new coach is not able to smack that back IN to them!

The JFA needs to look at the grass-roots. One thing here in Japan, is that as soon as a kid shows an interest in something, they are enrolled in a programme or club. This is fine, but the club then regiments their development, and begins to breed out the creativeness. One thing I have not seen at all here in Japan has been kids just taking a ball and having a kickaround. All the sports the kids play is all based on team play, formations, and getting ready for tournaments. I have not seen a bunch of kids just have fun with a ball! 

Maybe we should encourage the Japanese to try jumpers for goalposts!

One thing is for sure. Once the Japanese realise that football is not just about crunching numbers and studying formations, and more about heart and passion, they will rapidly move on up, and be knocking on the door of the top tables in world football!

What puts the "Great" in Great Britain?

'Scuse to my fellow countrymen who probably remember this, but finally found this thanks to Youtube! 

Now, Great Britain has enjoyed a long and storied history, with an empire spanning the whole globe, developed pretty much everything that you hold dear today. Railways, TV's, engineering, the internet, and the humble roll of toilet paper! However, after the War, Britain began a slow decline with the empire fragmenting, and many other nations leapfrogging Britain. Britain is still a major player, but not the top dog any more.

However, Britain is still great because of fabulous nights of comedy. It is something that we can still do well! 2 years ago it was Prince Charles' 60 birthday and a gala programme was laid on, with all monies going to Charles' Prince's Trust. A very worthwhile charity.

Britain may not be up to much, any more (apart from making luxury cars, the internet, programming, and some other top end stuff), but one thing we can do is comedy! A stream of funny people ooze from Britain, and gently wander round the world! A gathering of some of Britain's finest talent was gathered together for this show.

The show itself was compared by the silver haired wonder that is Philip Schofield.

The master of ceremonies was the awesome John Cleese, who is beginning to get on a bit! But still funny!

The first act up was a reasonably new comic, Michael Macintyre. Scottish name, terribly English accent, hugely funny! Not intimidating in any way, and I did love his description of "The Man Drawer!"

Next up, the evergreen Bill Bailey. IF you dont know this guy, then you have been living under a rock. A bit like Bill, actually. A guy who looks a bit like a troll, or Merlin, or a character from Harry Potter. Amazingly musically, etherially funny!

Next up, an interloper from overseas. Robin Williams. Yes, he is American, but still funny, so I dont mind including him in here!

We also saw Rowan Williams back in a Vicar outfit, delivering a sermon in that wonderful deadpan style that has made him so popular, and served him well as the acerbic Blackadder!

 

Stephen K. Amos burst onto the scene in 2001, and his star has risen ever since. Amazingly funny, and has managed to be quite active in campaigning against homophobia and racism.

We also had John Culshaw, an impressionist and comedian. Hugely popular for his ability to mimic many of the worlds famous stars. But probably most famous for his take on the American Precipice, er, President... Then followed by Omid Djalili, the funniest Iranian comic. According to John Cleese.

We also saw appearances from Andrew Sachs, reprising his role as Manuel from Fawlty Towers, with John Cleese as Basil Fawlty.

Amanda Holden and Alistair McGowan had a wonderful sketch as news programme hosts, with Amanda Holden broadcasting news from history, and Alistair McGowan fronting a modern version of the news Amanda talks about, with a comedic twist.

Another interloper, a famous lady from New York, Joan Rivers.

To finish the whole show off, a song known round the world, an example of British comedy at its best, and in many ways, a song most Brits hold dear in their hearts, and follow its advice!

And remember folks, always look on the bright side of life, face the audience with a grin, and head out laughing!

Big idea, little ambition

So, the British government announced that Britain will really join the top table in the world with a real high speed rail line! The sliver that runs from London to the Channel Tunnel does not really count, as only about 6 people actually benefit from it!

And their Grand Plan? A huge plan to benefit the whole nation! A high speed line running from London, to, er, Birmingham...

Talk about lacking ambition! The long term ambition is to split after Birmingham, and run 2 lines up either side of the Pennines, one to Glasgow via Manchester, and the other to Edinburgh via Leeds. Problem is, these plans are ambitions. There is no concrete plan for these, no timetable, no provisions for the cash.

Also, the plan details construction to start in 2017, and completing the line to Birmingham by 2025. 

Now, this may seem like a start, but it is so weak, and lacking in real ambition to be laughable! One of the main arguments is that high speed rail is the most environmentally way to move people round. OK, whilst under construction, it will spew a lot of CO2 into the air. As does building a new road, whilst constructing a new airport has marginally less.

However, where high speed rail really picks up is in competition. high speed rail is comparable to transport by car on CO2, it beats air travel hands down. It is slightly less convenient than car, but on the flip side, it is as comfortable, and less tiring! Also, apart from London City, most airports in the UK are on the outskirts, whilst the train stations are in the city centre.

Journey times for high speed rail would see from London to Manchester would be slashed from the 2 hr 10 min, to 1 hr 20. This is not as quick as plane, as from Manchester to London City is about 45 minutes. However, where the train picks up is on security. When you travel by plane, you have to get to the airport about an hour before the flight, there is the hastle of security, and then faffing round at the other end. In the end, turning a 45 minute flight into a journey time of most likely just over 2 hours. Making a high speed train look pretty attractive!

However, if Labour win the election, then they will follow their weak, half-baked plan.

The Conservatives issued their plan which would be to link Heathrow, Britains busiest airport, to the network, and extend the line in its first stage, from London, to Birmingham, then on to Manchester and Leeds. Their justification is that by doing so, they can take plenty of local flights out of Heathrow, allowing Heathrow to expand internationally, without having to physically expand as dramatically as they want. Cutting CO2 over all. 

This does have a lot of merit, as high speed rail is designed to move people quickly, and more cleanly than air travel. The major rival to rail travel. It will also encourage people out of their cars. Especially on the longer runs from Manchester to London.

My fear is that the run from Birmingham will not be as successful as the government hopes. It is so close to London already that flying is not really an option, and close enough for people to easily drive. As the distance from London increases, the car gets less attractive as people look to switching to the plane. However, once high speed rail links their city, and offers comparable times, people will ditch their cars, and move from the highly pollutant planes and move onto the railway.

The Lib Dems have announced an even bigger plan! Following through with a plan similar to the Conservatives for high speed rail, but also by withdrawing £3bn from the roads and ploughing that into the rest of the rail network to upgrade the rest of it at the same time!

It is such a shame that the government has chosen such a weak plan. I live in Japan, and get to ride the Joetsu Shinkansen to Tokyo. This is great! I get to blast along at 150mph on a line that is about 30% longer than the line from Manchester to London. Also, I ride on a train that has 800 seats, and 1 trainset has over 1000! It is unbelievable!

Not only that, but the Japanese government built the whole line. Not half of it. But all of it. In 1 go! Even though its cost proved to be really high! They decided that it was worthwhile boring tunnels through the Japanese Alps because it would link Niigata with the capital city. It would prove wider economic benefits, environmental benefits, and social benefits as well.

The Japanese government is willing to pony up the massive amounts of money upfront for a Shinkansen line, as they know that they will, in the long run, benefit from higher taxes generated by the increase in business along the line. Also, it helps that the government is willing to carry debt for much longer than most western governments are willing for.

It can be done, as long as the government is willing to go for it! Just dont vote Labour...

The Great Debate

Well, as of right now, it looks like Prime Minister Gordon Brown will head to the Queen to ask for an election on May 6th. This has been the rumoured date for a very long time now.

However, this is not the thing that got me to write this. What has, is the proposal to hold a televised debate. This has been a thorny issue for a long time. It was difficult for Parliament to decide on the structure of the debates.

The first of all, the fact that Britain does not use a Presidential style system of government, where we all get to vote for the President, a la the US and France, but we get to vote for a local representative who campaigns on a party platform. The biggest party is then invited by the Queen to form a government. Formally, she does not have to listen to the voters choice, but woe betide her should she choose to ignore it! Makes it hard to really say a Prime Ministerial debate rather silly, since most of the people in the country cant actually vote for the guy!

Second,with American politics, it is easy to find the candidates, since there are only 2 parties. However, in the UK, we have many parties that make up our politics. Some sit in the House of Commons, others sit in the House of Lords, others sit in the devolved parliaments. Some sit in all! So, how on earth do we pick who is represented in the debates!

Well, the TV companies, the BBC, Sky, and ITV decided to get round all this by linking up together, and organising the debates themselves. I think this was a great idea. It settles many arguments, as it is something the TV companies do, rather than leaving it to Parliament to organise. They just decided to do it! It also means they get to set the rules.

The TV companies have arbitrarily set the rules. This has caused some grief, but at the end of the day, it is their event. They have organised these debates, and invited the people they wanted. Stating that if the people they invited did not show, they would leave the chair open and not in use. Probably to embarrass the person involved.

What they decided to do was to bring in the 3 leaders of the parties that have a direct impact in the lives of the vast majority of the population. So, that is Gordon Brown of Labour, Nick Clegg of the Liberal Democrats, and David Cameron of the Conservatives. It is the Conservatives through their link with the UUP in Northern Ireland who do genuinely reach across all the home nations, whilst the others are involved in politics in 3 out of the 4.

However, this has irked the SNP in Scotland, and Plaid Cymru in Wales, both of whom play significant roles in the political lives of Scotland, and Wales, and have complained vociferously about their nations politics being shunted into the sidelines with their non-admittance into these debates. Their argument is that by excluding them, the political voice of Wales and Scotland is diminished.

They have appealed to the BBC trust, acknowledging that they cannot force Sky and ITV to amend their debates. They have also proposed a 4th debate run by the BBC including them along with the main UK parties.

Except, in my view, the main parties have a point. The TV companies have included the leaders of the three main UK-wide parties only. Other UK-wide parties are not included, such as the Greens, or UK Independence, and thankfully, the BNP. Also, if the TV companies include Plaid and the SNP, does that not diminish the English voters? After all, we get to watch 3 people we get to (indirectly) vote for, whilst voters in Wales and Scotland get to pick from all 5!

These debates are supposed to cross the UK, and cover UK related issues. This means that they will talk about issues that the British Government will discuss and debate. And these three leaders are the ones who will lead that debate. The SNP and Plaid, because they only operate in one of the four home nations will NEVER be in a position to lead those UK-wide debates. If we end up with a hung parliament, then yes, they will have a greater voice, and be able to influence the decision making process, but they will not be able to dictate policy. 

Also, why should the English, who make up 80% of the electorate in the UK, be forced to listen to 2 people spout on about how hard done by their constituents are, when they have absolutely no impact on their lives! It is hugely irritating!

All I can say is, well done to the TV companies for proposing this, and dont cave in now to these two shouty little men who want to have their cake, eat it, and nick from the English as well! After all, as it stands, despite making up the bulk of the UK, England is horrendously under-represented in government!

WorldWideWebisphere: Sending Japanese Culture to Manchester

WorldWideWebisphere: Sending Japanese Culture to Manchester

Sending Japanese Culture to Manchester

Well, I recently finished constructing a Senbazeru! It is one of those "1000 paper crane" things that the Japanese make. Originally they where made by friends and family for a member who fell ill, or suffered an injury. However, since then, they have expanded somewhat to also be used as a symbol of good luck! 

Here are several that have been handed over to the local J-League football team, Albirex Niigata!

I decided to make my own for the Manchester Phoenix, seeing as how I could not be there in person to support the team! This Senbazeru can stand in for me! 

However, making 1000 paper cranes, or Tsuru, is not easy, so I drafted in the students at Geos! I bought the paper, then asked them to make up the cranes, and they all, as a group, rose wonderfully to the challenge! So to all my students, a really big thankyou! I really could not have done this without you! Well, I suppose I could, but it would have took me all year! At best!

Anyway. For those of you who would be interested in making one, you need to be able to make a Tsuru, or paper crane!

So, here we go!

1) Take a square piece of paper. Not rectangular, square.

2) Next, take one corner, and fold it across to the other corner, forming a triangle.

3) Halve the triangle again

4) Next, take one side of this triangle, and squash it down to make a square.

5) Flip over, and repeat!

6) Now, turn it so that the open side of the square is away from you. The closed end, where all the folds are, should be towards you. Now, fold in the corners to either side of the central fold towards the middle. 

Once finished, it should look a little like a kite, but upside-down.

7) Take the end of the triangle that is not folded, and bend it up and down to create a horizontal fold.

8) Now, unfold one side, and open it up.

9) What you do now, is tuck in the paper, so it is all folded inside itself.

10) Repeat for all 4 edges, so it now looks like a long lozenge.

11) Now, turn the paper so that the point that is split is away from you, keeping the 2 points that are joined towards you.Next, fold in the edges again to the centre, from the points that are away from you.

12) Repeat for all 4 sides, and its should now be a lot slimmer.

13) Next, open the folds so that the last set (11 and 12) are now inside.

14) Take the long, thin points and bend them up. These will make the tail, and the neck!

15) Reverse step 13, so that the neck and tail are trapped. Now, you can gently pull the wings down, and bend one of the points down, making the head!

This gives you a Tsuru! Well done!

Now, if you want to make a Tsuru for a Senbazeru, you need to modify the last step! Once you have finished Step 14, just twist one point down, dont fold down the wings.

 In order to make a Senbazeru, keeping the wings up allows you to slot one Tsuru on top of another, and the wings help trap themselves, giving a little stability. As well as taking up a lot less space! 

Once you are ready to make a Senbazeru, you need to get a long bit of string, and tie one end off with some kind of bead. Take the other end, threaded through a needle, and poke it through the small hole in the bottom of your paper crane. The needle should pass through the point in the back of the paper crane, between the wings. Do this on subsequent paper cranes, and you can push them together into a line. You can do this as many times as you like. Though be warned, a line of 20 will end up with a very short, but bulky Senbazeru, a line of 100 will give you a long, thin one, but much longer than you are tall! Mine ran to 50 per line.

Once you have all the lines ready, all you have to do is tie them together, and hey presto! A finished Senbazeru! A valuable experience, I think you will find!