QATAR 2022

By Anthony Dylan

This month would be the peak of the FIFA World Cup Football when the final is played on the 18^th December 2022. It began on the 20^th of November 2022 (our match watch time was on 21^st November 2022 due to time zone difference) where all the group games would have seen completion at the end of the same month. As soon as December came, the final group matches which gave us surprising results continued into the final round of 16 before it goes to the quarterfinals, semifinals and then, the final.

The Qatar FIFA World Cup 2022 would also be the first ever one held at the last two months of a year. It would also feature the final time the format of 32 nations divided into 8 Groups of 4 teams each; fighting out to be the top 2 to qualify for the Round of 16. The next edition would be held in 2026 in 3 countries: Canada, Mexico and the United States of America. It would also feature 48 nations divided over 16 Groups of 3 teams each; fighting for the top spot to qualify for the Round of 16.

This Round of 16 had Netherlands, USA, Argentina, Australia, Japan, Croatia, Brazil, South Korea, France, Poland, England, Senegal, Morocco, Spain, Portugal and Switzerland fighting it out to get to the Quarter Finals. Even before this World Cup began, one ex-Champion, Italy failed to qualify. Germany, after suffering a defeat to Japan and Uruguay, despite losing only one game, drawing one and wining the last game against Ghana were the next two who failed to reach the Round of 16.

Japan was the biggest shocker at the Group stage. They beat ex-Champion Germany and ex-Champion Spain 2-1 each in their group to progress. Would their fairy tale run continue as they would face Croatia by the time this article comes out? One can only dream. It is just like the South Koreans who beat Portugal 2-1 in their last game to go through to the Round of 16. They would face Brazil next in the Round of 16. It is not impossible to imagine Japan and South Korea going all the way at least until the semifinals.

The games are all shown on our side at 6pm, 11pm and 3am. As the Group completes, matches are then limited to 11pm and 3am throughout the next round. The semifinals would be shown at 3am whilst the final at 11pm. Many football fans would have tuned themselves to catch those timings. It is not easy as I could attest. I chose to watch games which I think would be good and not necessarily the teams I follow.

This World Cup would likely draw a career closure to Uruguay’s Luis Suarez and Edison Cavani; Germany’s Thomas Muller, Argentina’s Lionel Messi, Brazil’s Neymar and Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo. So much remains at stake for them other than Luis Suarez, Edison Cavani and Thomas Muller whose teams have failed to reach the next round.

The main spotlights remain at this point of writing at Argentina’s Lionel Messi, Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo and Brazil’s Neymar. Would one of them lift the World Cup this year? These 3 players are unlike any footballer you would ever find nowadays. Their skill sets and technical know how are combined with their ability to keep physically fit. It would be a while before we can see such player types again.

The World Cup football tournament is the most anticipated sporting event every 4 years. Games are played in stadiums averaging more than 40,000 people with the later stages played at stadiums with a capacity exceeding 80,000 people. The main football kit worn by the teams participating were predominantly from Adidas, Nike and Puma. It is also a brand war amongst the kit sponsors. In 2018, France, when winning the World Cup wore Nike. The football used in the World Cup has always been from Adidas since 1970.

This tournament would also be a showcase for potentials to get the attention of club scouts. Many would change their clubs during the next transfer window as club scouts evaluate potential draws by having the players who would drive their image and winning strategy. That is another reason other than playing for your country as your career can get a huge reboot by playing well.

I hope that one day, we would be able to see a Southeast Asian team going to the World Cup. It is something to look forward to, but it is important for football to be professionally managed and encouraged. Malaysia used to beat Japan and South Korea easily in the 70s and 80s. Today, Malaysia is hardly there. Brunei, Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Philippines are also the same. If only, we can have a formidable team, it would be easy to run the World Cup over a country or two as co-hosts as coordination would not be so difficult. Most stadiums in this region are also able to cater for the minimum seating capacity.

Until then, let me end this article by predicting that this World Cup would be won by Argentina. Lionel Messi would prove himself to the GOAT (Greatest of all time). Let us all enjoy the World Cup and the festivities towards the year end.

Here is wishing all of you a Merry Christmas!