Tag: Sports

Ali Ashfaq is Maldives’ all-time top international scorer with 53 goals Striker has scored 14 World Cup qualifying goals in an 18-year international career He recently returned to help the national team in their Qatar 2022 campaign The Maldives are perhaps known globally for stunning coastal waters and luxury escapes. In the football realm, however, the island nation, with a… Read More

Yemen aiming for strong finish in Group D of Qatar 2022 qualifiers Mudir Abdurabu has played in all of Yemen’s game Qatar-based defender hoping to lead his country to the global showpiece There is no doubt that the conflict which has plagued Yemen since 2015 overshadows everything in this country overlooking the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. But… Read More

Brazil was in unprecedented desolation. Ayrton Senna’s tragic death had prompted its government to declare three days of national mourning. Some friends, whom the Formula One showman had recently urged to win the forthcoming FIFA World Cup™ over Coq au Vin in a Paris restaurant, had the opportunity to honour him by doing just that. Brazil, however, had not lifted… Read More

Brazil won their fourth World Cup trophy on this day in 1994 Romario had barely taken a penalty in his life before the Rose Bowl He showered Taffarel and Bebeto in praise “No, I won’t recall Romario,” snapped Carlos Alberto Parreira. And he didn’t, despite Brazil facing nemesis Uruguay in a win-or-bust USA 1994 qualifier. Then Brazil’s injury crisis heightened,… Read More

Japan won the Women’s World Cup on this day in 2011 Japan’s Ayumi Kaihori pictured saving a penalty in the 2011 final shoot-out Kaihori: “We felt we had the support of the whole world” This was the opening penalty in a shoot-out that decided the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup final. It set the tone for what was to follow.… Read More

Abdoul Ba is captain of Mauritania Team have climbed more than 100 FIFA Ranking places over last eight years After AFCON 2019, Al-Murabitun are targeting Qatar 2022. “I enjoy the role of the little guy who wants to beat the giant.” The words are those of national team coach Corentin Martins from a 2015 interview with FIFA.com. Back then his… Read More

Roland Nilsson helped Sweden finish third at USA 94 26 years ago today The Swedes were the top scorers in USA by some distance Nilsson relives that tournament match-by-match Roland Nilsson knows both sides of the FIFA World Cup™. He played every minute – all 930 of them – of Sweden’s 1990 and ’94 FIFA World Cup campaigns, and his… Read More

Brazil suffered a shock loss as Uruguay won the FIFA World Cup on this day in 1950 Uruguay came from behind to snatch their second World Cup triumph An expectant World Cup record crowd was hoping to see Brazil claim a maiden title It is one of the greatest shocks in FIFA World Cup™ history. After storming to the final… Read More

Final confirmed to take place at 80,000-seat Lusail Stadium at 18:00 on 18 December Four matches a day throughout the group stage ensures optimal rest time for the teams Qatar’s unique footprint allows later assignment of group matches for the benefit and comfort of fans The iconic image of FIFA World Cup™ champions France lifting the trophy at Luzhniki Stadium… Read More

Final confirmed to take place at 80,000-seat Lusail Stadium at 18:00 on 18 December Four matches a day throughout the group stage ensures optimal rest time for the teams Qatar’s unique footprint allows later assignment of group matches for the benefit and comfort of fans The iconic image of FIFA World Cup™ champions France lifting the trophy at Luzhniki Stadium… Read More