On Sunday morning in Dhaka, most people were stuck at home. It had poured all-night and it was raining from early morning. Only the intensity of the downfall varied from time to time.
That cosy rain drenched morning came with an appetising World Cup game: Argentina versus Switzerland.
We now know the result as the Albiceleste scored two late goals in added time to seal a spot in the semis.
The focus again is the Argentine team because Messi and company had shown us various shades of their performance: at times they looked so dominant that the opposition seemed overwhelmed, however, at others, the team began with glaring gaffes, conceding early goals.
At the quarter final-stage, the biggest debate was triggered by the Argentina-Egypt match over refereeing decisions that seemed unfair.
Without trying to dismiss the concerns, it must be admitted that many of the modern-day FIFA rules along with their intricacies are not known to us.
Just take the simple handball for instance.
There is something else called ball to hand too in which no handball is called because the ball in its natural motion touches the body of a player and not vice versa.
Stepping on a player’s boots also varies – was the step with most part of the boot or was the stepping an accidental touch from the toe section of the opponent’s boot?
All things said and done, no tournament has ever been without a little controversy – admit it, these events add variety to the event, triggering debates, discussions and opinions.
Argentina detractors’ hopes of some poetic justice was partially dented today because they had predicted a win for the Swiss.
This was again a pulsating match which went into added time.
The Swiss deserve kudos for resisting with ten men against the standing champions.
Would it have been different if they hadn’t lost one player? Well, it seems luck is on Argentina’s side.
But then, the question remains, if the Albiceleste do go to the final will the Gods up there still be in their favour?
As we all know from mythology, the residents of Mount Olympus are notoriously fickle and can change moods anytime. Zeus may just be caught in flagrante with Hera raising hell, mortals down here made to pay the price.
The upside of Argentina staying in the race is that the World Cup excitement remains intact, jerseys will be sold, talk shows will be followed and the usual raillery with Brazil supporters will go on.
But before the final, there’s of course another major hurdle in England and what a challenge that is! This will be Falklands revisited and neither side will want to lose.
So far, it’s been quite ride and thank God, at the semis, the Latin flair will be present.
