Time and again David Beckham has turned a game upside down with his well taken kicks from set-pieces. The unusual degree of spin effect the England captain imparts to the ball is amazing.
In cricket Asian greats like Saqlain Mushtaq, Harbhajan Singh and Muralitharan keep on mesmerising batsmen by bowling the occasional "doosra". Beckham has developed that "doosra" effect in football.
Others to impress with set-piece plays are Brazilian Juninho Pernambucano and Germany's Michael Ballack. Their kicks are loaded with power and precision. In the not so distant past, former Portuguese midfield playmaker Paulo Futre and Belgian maestro Franky Vercauteren were brilliant in directing such kicks with telling effect.
For us in India former captain of the national team Bruno Coutinho scored many important goals for the country and for his club in various competitions for years. Old timers would certainly agree that the Goan ace knew a trick or two when it came to set piece and dead ball situations.
The Beckham goal brought an end to Ecuador's fine challenge in this World Cup. Coach Soares and his boys made a positive impression with their neat and intelligent game. Well played.
