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5-3-2-1 makes Brazil faves
HE LOOKS like ex-Dutch footballer Ruud Gullit, who dominated the world of soccer during the 1980s and 1990s. He does maintain similar flowing hair! Yes, Ram Prakash Singh began his career in soccer and played upto the sub-junior nationals to help UP finish runners-up in 1980 at Kolkata. But, within two years of diversion towards hockey, he showed his authority in the National Games with a bang, fashioning UP?s scintillating title win in the Sub-Junior Nationals at Kolkata in 1982.
HE LOOKS like ex-Dutch footballer Ruud Gullit, who dominated the world of soccer during the 1980s and 1990s. He does maintain similar flowing hair!
Yes, Ram Prakash Singh began his career in soccer and played upto the sub-junior nationals to help UP finish runners-up in 1980 at Kolkata. But, within two years of diversion towards hockey, he showed his authority in the National Games with a bang, fashioning UP’s scintillating title win in the Sub-Junior Nationals at Kolkata in 1982.
Even after representing the country as captain at the international level in hockey, the 40-year-old Singh hasn’t lost his charm for the world’s most favourite game soccer. And like any other serious football lover, he also bets on Brazil in the FIFA World Cup at Germany.
“They are different,” says Singh, who also happens to be the Lucknow’s Regional Sports Officer. “There playing style of 5-3-2-1 somehow reminds me the Asian hockey style, and moreover, they always believe in fair play, which is very good for any team at the top level.”
“Brazil is a team of 11 top individuals, wherein each and every member knows his job better. And I feel that individual excellence in any team game makes a team stronger to execute their planning in an organised manner,” says Singh.
Silver medallist of Seoul Asian Games in 1986, Singh happens to be the only sportspers on from India, who represented Indian Olympic Association in the International Olympic Committee Academy’s seminar in 1999.
Singh believes that 2004 FIFA Player of the Year and ace Brazilian striker Ronaldinho and Ronaldo would be the top starts to watch in this year’s World Cup. “Besides these two, Zinedine Zidane is one of the most successful players to ever put on laces,” says Singh. “Hosts Germany and young side England will also be tough nuts to crack, while Diago Maradona’s Argentina may cause some upsets at Germany this year,” adds Singh.
