In a classic case of so close and yet so far, South Africa failed to make it through to the final of an ICC Cricket World Cup once again. Semi-finalists in 1992, 1999 and 2007, the men in green led by their messiah, AB de Villiers were backed to make the final this time round. However, they choked once again at the penultimate hurdle against co-hosts New Zealand in the latest edition.
South Africa did break their knockout jinx by edging 1996 champions Sri Lanka in the quarterfinals. But the result was not to repeat itself and as our preview said, History will be repeated, History will be created! Barring the 1998 Champions Trophy, the Proteas have failed to win a single ICC Tournament despite boasting a squad capable of winning more than what they have. Drawing parallels, can the perennial chokers’ record be pitted against one of the most successful English Football clubs – Liverpool?
The Merseyside club’s super-rich history keeps them among the top two teams having most silverware in England with Manchester United recently overtaking their haul of 18 League Titles. Eight different managers have sat on the Anfield dugout, but Liverpool, currently managed by Brendan Rodgers, have failed to lift the domestic league title since 1990.
During the 1990-91 season, the Reds finished second and repeated the feat in 2001-02, 2008-09 and most recently last season (2013-14), where demoralising results against Chelsea and Crystal Palace in the tail end of the season handed the title to Manchester City. A 19th league title has always evaded them in one way or the other, leaving a plethora of Liverpool fans reeking in agony. Robbie Fowler, Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher are perhaps amongst the best players to leave English football without having a Premier League medal on their shelf.
But they have always lacked that one player or one cursed moment that has wrested the title away from Liverpool’s grasp. Take, for example, last season Steven Gerrard’s slip against Chelsea allowed Demba Ba to capitalise on the loose ball and open the scoring. Additionally, the thrilling 4-4 draw against Arsenal in 2009 allowed their arch-rivals, Manchester United to win the title by four points.
South Africa too have been unlucky on numerous occasions, throwing it all away in the blink of an eye when victory was within their grasp. Lance Klusener and Allan Donald’s miscommunication in the 1999 semi-final against Australia; batting order collapsing against India 2002 Champions Trophy; run out failures by Quinton de Kock and AB de Villiers, confusion between Farhaan Behardien and JP Duminy handed New Zealand a ticket to Melbourne as Grant Elliott sent his country of birth packing.
Both South Africa and Liverpool have gone close but never managed to taste success (Taking only League into the picture — they have won many domestic and European cups during the time). The disappointing factor being that they always had a team capable of reveling in glory but missed out on it! When will we see either team lift the World Cup or League title respectively? Only the eternal master time will have an answer!
