This is Jabulani aka a goalkeeper's nightmare and striker's fear ...unpredictable monster in the air.
But finally after researching the Net (and Wikipedia too) I think I know why Jabu defies logic when kicked. I mean, we are talking about Jabu being kicked by world-class footballers, most of them professionals earning millions of dollars per year in salaries (not to mention the millions from endorsements, commercials, appearances etc.).
And Messi and Rooney and Ronaldo keeps ballooning their shots over the goal bar? You think these fellas don't know how to kick and control the flight of a football or what? Come on, must be Jabu's fault. Period.
Created by Adidas the sport giant in Germany, developed by mostly academicians and researchers in United Kingdom, made in China with latex from India, materials from Taiwan and other misc items from China.
What? Taiwan?! Notoriously known for imitations! And made in China?!! Lotsa stuff made in China nowadays are of lousy quality ... $#@*& !!! Whadaya expect ?
"Excuses" from great names:
Italian keeper Buffon "it is very sad that a competition so important as the world championship will be played with such an inadequate ball."
Brazilian striker Fabiano "supernatural" as it unpredictably changed direction when travelling through the air.
Brazilian striker Robinho "for sure the guy who designed this ball never played football. But there is nothing we can do, we have to play with it."
English Joe Hart, after training with the ball for a number of days "the balls have been doing anything but staying in my gloves."
English goalkeeper David James "the ball is dreadful. It's horrible, but it's horrible for everyone."
Denmark coach Morten Olsen "We played with an impossible ball ... "
World's best striker Messi "The ball is very complicated for the goalkeepers and for us [strikers]"
Ex-Malaysian keeper Chris "The ball is plasticky - very hard to catch ... cannot blame Green for the blunder)"
Praise from Adidas-sponsored players:
Arbeloa commented "it's round, like always." (Aiya - even Uncle Tai knows that!)
Brazilian midfielder Kaka "For me, contact with the ball is all-important ... " (But of course!)
Czech goalkeeper Cech "good visibility due to the colour pattern, that felt good to handle, and when kicked it had good control" (Whaseh man ... very chim)
English midfielder Lampard "A very strong ball, true to hit." (Strong? Why don't you try and score a strong goal la?)
German midfielder Ballack "Fantastic, the ball does exactly what I want it to." (So most of the time you want it to fly over the bar?)
Oh, by the way, Jabu won over the hearts of 11 hard core Portuguese fans last night with 6 of them whacking in 7 goals... highest ever in a world cup match :)))
