Walking Shadow

Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player ... It is a tale told by an idiot ... signifying nothing

Korokoro Komikko comics and

Highlights of the article in Uttarbanga Sambad (News of North Bengal) dated 27-Nov-2022 and authored by Pratik

Pratik sets the pace of the article with a highlight of success of Japan against Germany in the group E league match of FIFA World Cup 2022. While providing an overview of success of Asian countries in the tournament, he does not forget to mention the political approach of Iran world cup team who refused to sing their national anthem and their commitment to stand by the ongoing movement as an aftermath of Mahsa Amani's demise. Pratik reminds us about the good performance of Iran during previous world cups and wholeheartedly lauds the fighting spirit of Iranian world cup team amidst their political disturbances with a cautionary note that Government of Iran may not overlook the team's political demeanour. Performance of South Korean team does not miss Pratik's attention. South Korea does not have any significant performance in previous world cup events except reaching the semi-final during 2002 world cup on their home turf. Pratik attributes the success of Saudi Arab to their coach Hervé Jean-Marie Roger Renard. Hervé was never the coach of any major European football club. However, he has a deep understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of African and Asian teams.

In the next four paragraphs Pratik elaborates the stupendous rise and performance of Japan as not a one match wonder but as a long term student of soccer. Here are the salient aspects.

  1. Zico came to Japan in 1991, joining Sumitomo Metal Industries. Japan changed the structure of the their football league and introduced J. League in 1993 and a host of star players from higher ranked soccer nations participated in J-League.
  2. Japan did not stop by introducing J. League. They established a strong focus on school level soccer. Pratik refers an article in New Indian Express, which mentions that since last 35 years, American Tom Byer has been working tirelessly to revolutionise grassroots football in Japan with his football clinics and TV shows. Captain Tsubasa is a Japanese manga series ( comics or graphic novels) written and illustrated by Yōichi Takahashi. It even inspired Byer to create football comic books, called Korokoro Komikko, which proved to be a great success. There were three kids who came to Byer's football school. Minamino, Doan and Endo.
  3. 19 out of the 26 of the world cup (2022) Japanese sqad play in European leagues – there are more players in this squad who play in German Bundesliga (8) than in the J-League (7). The most notable of them is Daichi Kamada who has developed into one of Eintracht Frankfurt's key players in recent seasons, impressing both in the Bundesliga and in continental competition for the reigning UEFA Europa League holders. This year (2022) VfB Stuttgart confirmed the signing of Japanese American defender Anrie Chase on Thursday. The Japanese U23 international will play for Stuttgart's youth squad for the duration of the season.
  4. Thus there is now sunrise in Japanese football. There will be no surprise if Japan eclipses South Korea in near future and become the undisputed leader of Asian football.

No magic of Houdini, just the grammar of soccer

Highlights of the article in Uttarbanga Sambad (News of North Bengal) dated 27-Nov-2022 and authored by Jaydeep Basu

Root causes behind encouraging performances of Asian countries in the recent group qualifying matches of World Cup soccer 2022.

  • Iran, South Korea, Saudi Arab and Japan have been playing in the FIFA World Cup since 1978, 1986, 1994 and 1998 respectively.
  • The above have been achieved not by some magic but through hard work while following the grammar of football.
  • These Asian countries have excellent local soccer league frameworks which are as good as those in European countries.
  • As early as 2006, Japan had set a soft target of winning FIFA World Cup by 2050.
  • Many footballers from Japan and Korea are playing in European Leagues. So there is no lack of confidence when playing against European countries.
  • UEFA Nations League is keeping European countries busy among themselves and hence not prioritizing to play with non-European countries. Thus European coaches are not getting a reasonable estimate about how much African, Asian and Latin American countries have progressed and ending up getting surprised.
  • Though the recent wins in FIFA World Cup does not guarantee that Asian counties will dominate international arena, it has been established that they have made significant progress.
  • With just a few wins, many of us, in India, may start thinking that Asian countries will soon emerge as world champions. We, Indians, may not be able to fathom that stupendous hard work still awaits for these countries to reach the top.
  • Soccer fans of India cannot be blamed for a consistent short sighted approach. Prior to every FIFA World Cup, we have been fed by the false claims of our football administrators that India is just eight to twelve years away from participating in the FIFA World Cup.

Desiderata – Words for Life

by Max Ehrmann

Though this beautiful poem was written by Max Ehrmann in 1927, it is even more relevant today.

Go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible without surrender be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and bitter; for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself. Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.

Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time. Exercise caution in your business affairs; for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals; and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself. Especially, do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness. Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself.

You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be, and whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

An Outstretched Hand

for Jay Allen

by Rod McKuen

Each of us was made by God and some of us grew tall. Others stood out in the wind their branches bent and fell. Those of us who walk in light must help the ones in darkness up. For that’s what life is all about and live is all there is to life.

Each of us was made by God beautiful in His mind’s eye. Those of us that turned out sound should look across our shoulders once and help the weak ones to their feet.

It only takes an outstretched hand.

For My Son

by Rod McKuen

Watching children grow is like threatening the ivy to climb the garden wall. You wait for it to happen you hurry it along with love. But still you’re disappointed at giving someone life enough to walk off on their own and not be carried in your arms. You never turn your back—not once, and yet one day they’ve grown apart or taller. It’s all the same.

Polly put the kettle on we’ll all have tea. Giving love to children has made us older overnight.

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