Daddy Dunga !!!!

I have never liked Brasil as a footballing nation, much goes into it due to they beating teams which I did choose to follow or support. The first world cup that I could seriously follow was USA 94 and I had placed by bets on Netherlands and Italy. While all of my family (predominantly Brasil supporter's) rooted for Romario, Bebeto and Dunga I was rooting for Rijkaard, Bergkamp, Baggio and Donadoni. Big match players hailing from big clubs around Europe for me it was Orange or Azzuri. Sadly both of them got beat to Brasil Quarter's and Finals respectively and my hatred for Brasil took a new leaf. Zidane ensured some solace for me in the upcoming world cups out playing them twice in 98 and 2006. Both times however more than Zidane's masterclass the Joca Bonito boys were flattened by a dour French defense who were eager to get physical and stop the “R's” playing their brand of football. With Thuram, Desailly, Makalele and Didier Deschamps the Les Bleus had their defense beginning at the mid field as they completely broke down the sweet rhythm Brasil is known for. Brasil blessed with startling strikers and mesmerizing mid fielders however could not do much when the French counter attacked. Flair had lead to defensive gaps which Dunga alone could not fill and Carlos was time and again caught out of position and struggled to get back. Similar scene's were repeated in 2006 as Brasil again with a plethora of stars failed to move beyond their old nemesis. Ronaldinho, Robinho, Kaka, Adriano and Ronaldo all together managed only a single shot on goal as Zidane managed to find Henry's feet to send Brasil packing.

Defending has never been a feature in Brasil's game plan, stylistic individuality and a fundamental commitment to excellence and passion has always been the hallmark of Brazilian football. When all doors seemed locked Brasil manages to unlock in in the most sublime of ways. In a game where physicality has taken over and sheer skill only matters a few feet away from the goal line, no amount of such glottalization has had any effect in the way Brasil plays. They were not afraid to concede goals provided they scored more which they did thanks to the talent they always carried around. But guess the lessons learn t from 2006 has had it effect as Dunga was brought in to tighten up the way Brasil operated. Much of the credit for Brasil wining the 94 World Cup should go to Dunga as even without the regular plethora of stars he managed to make optimum use of his unimaginative midfield. Chances were few but both Bebeto and Romario made full use when one came by. Dunga has fallen back on his own trusted way of football since taking over charge. The so called star studded midfield has been shunned for a rather effective one with Kaka at the center of it and Gilberto Silva playing a more defensive role much like Makalele did for France. Robinho and Fabiano would try and make most use of the chances created by Kaka and captain Lucio along with Maicon would look to have a watertight defense. The current formation might look ineffective but then Dunga has chosen his game plan well.

He is primarily using five players in his offensive formation: Kaka, Fabiano, Robinho. Plus the two full-backs Maicon and Michel Bastos. The other players primarily have a holding job though captain Lucio and Elano often get into attacking positions.The back four of Brasil currently are the best in the world. Maicon has been a proven player with Inter Milan this season who can run down the flanks often functioning as on alternative winger. The left flank too manned by Bastos is possibly in the best shape ever as in his current form he even out performs Carlos. The best part of the two (Maicon and Bastos) is that they seldom get caught off position and have bundles of energy. This fact was very well shown in the match against Korea where their relentless running caused quite some confusion amongst the Korean ranks. Even against a physical Ivory Coast both of them performed exceedingly well. Kaka wasn't quite his usual self against the Koreans but his assist to Elano who scored the third goal showed he was back to his best. Elano too has become an essential part in the midfield happy to fall back and assist Kaka who generally does the more penetrating job. Robinho too has had a decent start to this world cup minus the riff raff and needless stopovers, his pass to Elano for Brasil's second goal was superb. Maicon's goal, scored off a near-zero angle, was as much a triumph of ambition as of imagination: ambition because from that narrow angle, even the best would settle for a good cross, imagination because the Brazilian right full-back foresaw the possibility of that shot.

Brasil seems to have a system going for them and in the middle players do fit in perfectly, otherwise who would think of leaving out Ronaldinho.

No Joca Bonito for Brasils Dirty Harry. For hims its Guts and Glory.

Mutton Berry Pulao, Patra Ni Macchi and a Sali Boti - Good Boy !!!

One Mutton Berry Pulao, One Patra Ni Macchi and a Sali Boti, followed

by a Caramel Custard. Once done wash all of down with a Raspberry

Soda. For some who have visited the place would have already realized

the fact that I had paid a visit to Britannia Cafe in Bombay. The

place is a almost a crumbling testimony to the once thriving but now

almost crumbling Parsi Cafe culture. Located in Ballard Estate the

lack of any air conditioning or the almost peeled of paint might put

some off but then one bite into the food served would take away all

mis pleasures. They say in Britannia that there is no love greater

than the love of eating. Get in sit down and order one of their lime

sodas and in no time you shall have a 90 year old man standing in

front of you ready to take you through your order. Boman Kohinoor is a

livewire moving from table to table helping people with choosing the

perfect combination for lunch and in giving thumbs ups once you are

done with ordering. He is one of the four partners who own and run the

venerable institution, the others being his brother Merwan and his

two sons Romin and Ashwin. In days where most of the younger

generation like us run off after swanky jobs and fat pay packages its

refreshing to see there still are people who believe in carrying on a

family legacy that has gone on since 80 years.

I had prepared well before I did venture out for lunch and knew

exactly what to order. “The Berry Pulao along with Sali Boti and a

Parta Ni Macchi as a side dish. One Caramel Custard for dessert and a

Raspberry Soda to go with the meal please”. I blurted this out the

moment Mr. Kohinoor arrived and though I guess he was a bit surprised

that I did not even look at the menu available. the fact that my

selection was almost perfect generated a smirk on his face as he

approved of my choice by saying “Good Boy”. The food arrived which is

generally very simple but nevertheless divine and each dish stands out

on its own. The Berry Pulao is a specialty of Britannia, pulao mixed

with gravy and meat topped with cashews and Iranian berries. While the

pulao and the gravy is not out of the ordinary what makes the dish

special is the tangy bits of the berries and the meatballs infused

with it. The dish is only available at Britannia and goes superbly

well with the Chicken Sali Boti. The Sali Boti again is a famous dish

here generally a bit sweet but not too much of it. The Patra Ni Macchi

is basically steamed fish (steamed in banana leaves) and served with

coconut chutney goes well acting as a light side dish as you dig into

your Berry Pulao and Sali Boti. The Caramel Custard too was quite

heavenly a welcome break from having stale ice creams and cakes as

dessert which is generally the usual fare in most restaurants these

days. All of it topped off with a drink of Raspberry Soda I realized

why the list of Britannia faithfuls is long and prolific.

Places like Britannia seems to form an old guard when compared to

todays rising culture of pizzeria's, burger joints and coffee places.

A frenzy of opening of such “Fast Food” options have often forced

places like Britannia to change into adopting a modern mindset

offering drinks and resurrecting the menu to taste in accordance to

the “Gen X”. Luckily Britannia has remained what it was when it

started as it aims to serve divine food with the most minimalistic

fuss, true that there are very less comforts to mention of in the

place and then there has been an increase in the prices too, but then

that does not stop people from pouring in and one would have to wait

for a table during lunchtime. The fact alone goes long telling a lot

about the people who manage the place. So go on and visit the place to

enjoy some old world comfort food and do try out the Mutton Cutlets

and Dhansak Rice other than the Berry Pulao, and be sure to order in

similar lines so that you get a “Thumbs Up” from Mr. Kohinoor.