Sir — The final match of the FIFA World Cup, which extended to extra time, was a fierce battle between Germany and Argentina, wherein Germany won. While both the teams displayed exhilarating moments of football and held spectators all over the world in sheer anxiety and thrall, they, especially the Argentine players, missed many opportunities to score before the stipulated time.
For Germany, it was not only their fourth World Cup win, but a victory that it was keenly waiting for over 23 years. Moreover, it is for the first time that a European team lifted the Cup on latin American soil. Argentina’s captain lionel Messi, despite his excellent performance, could not score any goal, chiefly due to lack of proper co-ordination and support from his team-mates. He has been rightly adjudged as the best player of the tournament.
I feel sad over the bitter reality that India has not yet produced a suitable team to qualify for the World Cup. It appears that we lack the desire and determination to develop 11 players with the required skill and stamina. One of the key reasons for this pitiable state is the over-significance being given to cricket as a result of which other sports have suffered in this country.