Author: WebDesk

Lionel Messi was a teenager playing in his first World Cup back in 2006, when Jose Pekerman, Argentina’s manager, took Juan Roman Riquelme off 72 minutes into his team’s quarterfinal against Germany, the hosts. Argentina were leading 1-0 when their talismanic No.10 was replaced. But instead of Messi, his heir apparent who then wore the No.19 shirt, it was Esteban Cambiasso, a defensive midfielder, that came on. As Argentina tried to protect a slender lead, Germany equalised. The game went to extra time and penalties, with Cambiasso one of two Argentines to miss as they went out. At the Lusail…

– Atreyo Mukhopadhyay I am not saying that I have been to a lot of heart-stopping climaxes at the biggest stage when it comes to sports. Primarily a cricket reporter, I have seen only a few. Of which, the 2019 World Cup final involving England and New Zealand at Lord’s had almost rattled me. For more than a moment, I did not know what to write or how to react. The way things kept fluctuating, I was at my wits end. A World Cup football final is obviously a different beast. The global following, the things at stake, the overall…

Morocco came to Qatar, charmed millions of fans, provided many moments to savour for their supporters, families and the world at large, and now they’re going home, albeit after the non-event that is the third-place match. On Wednesday night against France, they were confronted by two of football’s most brutal truths – the game is ultimately about scoring goals, and the team with greater nous invariably wins. As for France, they’re into a second straight World Cup final, without ever really moving out of third gear. Lionel Messi and Argentina can either take heart from the lack of French fluency,…

– Atreyo Mukhopadhyay So it is coming down to a duel between Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe. Of course there are going to be other characters and subplots, but from a global football followership point of view, the 22nd World Cup final is going to pit the biggest star of his generation against the most sparkling emerging star of the next generation. In several ways, Qatar 2022 has more than fulfilled the expectations of the neutral fans. Numerous upsets, close games, edge-of-the-seat thrillers and heartbreaks, this has been a most riveting World Cup. Fittingly, it is going to end with…

– Anilava Chatterjee, Qatar Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo is unfazed with the speculations of him joining Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr. Reports have linked him to a move to Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr but no deal has yet been signed. The talisman was seen training with teammates at the Al Shahania stadium on Monday night ahead of Portugal’s all important quarter final clash against Switzerland. Ronaldo looked focused as he trained alongside Bruno Fernandes, Pepe, Joao Felix and others. According to Portuguese media, there is no official confirmation about Ronaldo joining Al Nassr. The five-time Ballon d’ Or winner has…

For Haijme Moriyasu, Japan’s coach, football came full circle at the Khalifa Stadium on Thursday night. Fifteen minutes away from the scene of Japanese football’s biggest heartbreak, his wards beat mighty Spain to usher in a new era for Asian football. The beauty of sport often lies in the stories of redemption that it scripts. For Japanese football, Qatar and Doha were once synonyms for agony. Now, after adding the scalp of Spain to a famous victory over Germany, they venture into the second round backed by millions of delirious fans. A generation after the Agony of Doha has come…

– Boria Majumdar from Doha “Ever tried. Ever Failed. No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better.” Samuel Beckett We will never know if anyone from the Belgium team management used these words from Beckett in the dressing room at the end of what was a disastrous night. Perhaps they did not. But the team did exactly what Beckett had suggested. They tried and failed. Failed poorly in fact. If you consider the chances missed by Lukaku alone, it was a disaster of sorts. Tried against Morocco and failed and it was the same again last night against Croatia. Is…

Both sides are packed with experience, and some of the greatest players in their nations’ history. But where Croatia have refreshed their defence, Belgium’s aging legs are unlikely to last the distance in the heat of Qatar. On the surface, these two European heavyweights battling to avoid elimination from Group F are remarkably similar. Both are small nations with proud footballing traditions. Neither has won a major trophy, though both have come agonisingly close. Belgium were runners-up to West Germany at the European Championships in 1980, while Croatia lost the last World Cup final to France. Both have reached the…

 Young Grandmaster R Vaishali speaks on the significance of the TATA Steel Chess India tournament. A big step towards gender equality. Listen in #ChessIndia

 Domjur wrapped up with lots of prizes! Football, fun and frolic!! Such unbound excitements are the purpose of our initiative. You can have it too! Visit us on our matchdays!!  Sreepally Ground, Agarpara. Sponsored by: Wow Momo, Just My Roots