Moment of truth here for Qatar as FIFA World Cup begins

Published

2 years ago

November 20, 2022

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Moment of truth here for Qatar as FIFA World Cup begins

The moment of truth for Qatar’s ability to organise the FIFA World Cup after years of failed overtures and criticism over labour rights and strict laws has come.

Predicaments began mounting as early as December 2010 when it was announced that Qatar would host the finals amid a storm of international criticism.

“For me it is clear: Qatar is a mistake, a bad choice,” Sepp Blatter, the former president of world football’s governing body FIFA, said last week.

But it was his administration that oversaw the awarding of the 2022 event’s hosting rights to Qatar.

Always held during the close season of the majority of leagues, it was difficult to maintain such a schedule now.

Temperatures are presently reaching more than 45 degrees Celsius in Qatar’s blazing summers.

Two studies carried out by FIFA in 2014 and 2015 were enough to conclude that it would be impossible to hold the tournament in June/July, prompting the move to November and December.

Constructing the new stadiums witnessed many controversies regarding labour rights, amid media reports that thousands of foreign workers either lost their lives or were mistreated in the process.

Qatar responded by altering its labour laws to contain global dismay.

Additionally, Qatar’s strict Islamic laws against LGBT rights or alcohol consumption faced yet another storm of criticism.

Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Emir of Qatar, dispelled widespread fears recently.

He told the United Nations General Assembly last September that his government was ready to welcome everyone from around the world without discrimination.

Qatari Olympic high jump champion Mutaz Barshim, a World Cup ambassador, said the tournament is an opportunity to unite people.

“The World Cup will positively impact our society by showcasing our culture to the world and by helping people create friendships and build networks.

“It is a golden opportunity to change negative perceptions about the region and create new and meaningful connections,” he said in an interview with the Qatar 2022 website on Wednesday.

Qatar will be the first team since Italy in the second World Cup in 1934 to participate in the finals for the first time as a host.

This is a team hosting without having previously qualified for the tournament.

They need to avoid a similar fate to that of Switzerland, Chile and South Africa, who all hosted but exited the finals in the group stages in 1954, 1962 and 2010.

That is why the Qatari team has undergone a thorough process of preparing for the tournament.

It started by appointing Spanish coach Felix Sanchez in 2017, whose knowledge of the region helped him guide Qatar to the 2019 Asian Cup title, winning all matches in the process.

Sanchez’s men raised eyebrows with a number of notable performances, including a 3-1 defeat of Japan in the final.

The team continued its preparations by rubbing shoulders with South America’s best through their participation in the 2019 Copa America.

Nonetheless, the experience proved to be a little too much for the team as they finished bottom of their group following defeats by Colombia and Argentina and a draw against Paraguay.

Qatar, similarly and upon special request, took part in the CONCACAF Gold Cup last year.

There they showed improvement by topping their group and beating El Salvador in the quarter-finals before losing 1-0 to the U.S in the semi-finals.

The team will be under pressure by fans to achieve the desired results on home soil.

This is especially after the Qatari Federation’s decision not to allow their players to play for their domestic clubs since the beginning of the current season.

This was in order to devote themselves to preparations for the finals.

Moment of truth here for Qatar as FIFA World Cup begins

Cristiano Ronaldo Criticizes Man United Manager Erik ten Hag’s Leadership

Published

5 days ago

September 11, 2024

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Cristiano Ronaldo Criticizes Man United Manager Erik ten Hag’s Leadership

Portuguese football legend Cristiano Ronaldo has openly criticized Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag for his approach since taking over the club.

Speaking on the Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast, the Al-Nassr star voiced his frustrations over Ten Hag’s management style and mentality as the United boss.

Ronaldo, who spent two spells at Manchester United, emphasized the need for the club to have a winning mindset. “As a Manchester United coach, you cannot say you’re not going to fight to win the League or Champions League. Even if you don’t have the potential, you must try,” Ronaldo stated.

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While acknowledging that the appointment of the Dutch manager was a step in the right direction, Ronaldo suggested that Ten Hag needs to listen more to former players and club legends to rebuild the club effectively. “People like Rio [Ferdinand], Roy Keane, Paul Scholes, and Sir Alex Ferguson understand the club and how to handle players. Their experience is crucial for the club’s improvement,” Ronaldo added.

Since Ten Hag’s tenure began, Manchester United has seen mixed results, including a third and eighth-place finish in the Premier League and victories in the Carabao Cup and FA Cup.

However, Ronaldo’s second spell at Old Trafford ended on a sour note following a public falling-out with Ten Hag, which led to the termination of his contract. Ronaldo later expressed feeling “betrayed” by the Dutch manager.

Ronaldo remains a United icon, having scored 145 goals in 326 appearances and won nine trophies with the club across his two stints.

Sports

Eguavoen Eyes Victory as Super Eagles Arrive in Kigali for AFCON Qualifier

Published

1 week ago

September 9, 2024

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Eguavoen Eyes Victory as Super Eagles Arrive in Kigali for AFCON Qualifier

Super Eagles coach Augustine Eguavoen has expressed confidence in his squad’s “momentum” as they prepare for Tuesday’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying match against Rwanda at the Amahoro Stadium in Kigali.

Eguavoen praised the team’s mindset following their dominant 3-0 win over Benin Republic in Uyo, stating that the players are eager to maintain their winning form. “We have the right mentality now, and the mood in camp is excellent. Everyone is focused on securing the three points against Rwanda to stay on top of the table,” he said.

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The Nigerian delegation, including 23 players and officials led by NFF President Ibrahim Gusau, arrived in Kigali on Sunday afternoon ahead of Monday’s training session. Team captain William Ekong emphasized the team’s determination, saying, “Our goal is simple – get the three points. We know Rwanda will be tough, but we are prepared to give our best from the start.”

The Super Eagles face a Rwanda team that earned a 1-1 draw against Libya in their opening match. Tuesday’s game will kick off at 3 p.m. local time (2 p.m. Nigeria time).

Sports

Sunshine Stars Appoint Ex-Captain Abe Sunday as Match Reader

Published

2 weeks ago

September 5, 2024

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Sunshine Stars Appoint Ex-Captain Abe Sunday as Match Reader

Sunshine Stars FC has appointed its former captain, Abe Sunday, as a match reader, alongside ex-international Kayode Idowu. This was announced by the club’s Media Officer, Femi Atolagbe, in a statement released on Wednesday.

According to Atolagbe, the club’s Chairman, Bamidele Ologunloluwa, also directed that the team’s number 10 jersey, once worn by Sunday, be retired for the season as a mark of respect. Ologunloluwa emphasized that Sunday’s vast experience remains valuable for the club’s growth and performance.

Abe Sunday, who captained Sunshine Stars until the 2023/2024 season in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL), officially announced his retirement from active football on Wednesday.

Kayode Idowu, who joins him as a match reader, is an ex-international known for representing Nigeria in a 2001 Super Eagles match against Madagascar.

“Abe Sunday is a pride to Ondo State and Nigeria as a whole. His knowledge and experience are crucial for our future success, and that is why we have appointed him and his colleague to these important roles,” Ologunloluwa said.

Sunday’s career includes representing Nigeria in the U-17 AFCON, World Cup qualifiers, and the 2009 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Egypt. He also played for the national U-23 team and the home-based Super Eagles in 2010. On the club front, Sunday had a stint in Albania with Teuta Durres FC during the 2017/2018 season.

The Ondo State Football Agency (ODSFA) congratulated Sunday, commending his long-standing contributions to Sunshine Stars as he transitions to his new role.