After group stages, a change of guard in football

03.12.2022 - 10:25 guardian.ng

Saudi Arabia’s goalkeeper #21 Mohammed Al-Owais and teammates react to conceding the opening goal of the Qatar 2022 World Cup Group C football match between Saudi Arabia and Mexico at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, north of Doha on November 30, 2022. (Photo by Pablo PORCIUNCULA / AFP)Football is not described as ‘the Beautiful game’ for nothing.

In Qatar, it has thrown up everything that is beautiful about the game – drama, shocks, suspense, surprises, tears (of joy and of defeat) and football of every hue, from the good to the ugly.

The only thing missing from Qatar 2022 is a dull moment! I am thoroughly enjoying the championship even though it is the downloaded version on the big screens of the Sports Lounge, in Panseke, Abeokuta, shown every day since the championship began.

The African teams, mostly, are on my mind. Tunisia have left for home already at the end of their group matches, but not without the scalp of the defending World Champions, France, whom they defeated 1-0 in a massive upset in their very last match.

Argentina Qatar France Mexico Tunisia Doha Senegal Japan Tunisia Saudi Arabia

DUBAI: Palestine’s Football Association has called on the sport’s governing body FIFA to investigate the death of local football player Ahmed Daraghmeh after it said the 23-year-old striker was shot and killed by Israeli soldiers during a raid in the West Bank city of Nablus on Thursday. The PFA said in a statement to Arab News: “While the rest of the world still basks in the festivities of a splendid World Cup 2022 in Qatar, and prepares to celebrate the season and welcome a new year, Palestinian football has been grieved by the assassination of one of its top footballers.

Newcastle stay in Carabao Cup mix after Bournemouth victory

NEWCASTLE: It was far from pretty, but sometimes substance over style is all that matters.

Women’s World Cup will be safe despite fan violence: Australian football chief

MELBOURNE: Football Australia boss James Johnson vowed tough sanctions Sunday after a goalkeeper was attacked during an A-League match, but insisted the sport was safe and there are no concerns about co-hosting the women’s World Cup next year.

Portugal coach quits after World Cup exit in quarterfinals

LISBON: Portugal coach Fernando Santos has quit, the Portuguese soccer federation announced Thursday, after eight years in the job and five days after Portugal’s exit from the World Cup in the quarterfinals. The 68-year-old Santos reached an amicable agreement with the federation to leave two years before his contract ends, a statement said. The federation named no replacement for Santos and said they were starting their search.

‘Cricket still in denial’ says Rafiq after racism scandal

LONDON: Azeem Rafiq claims cricket is still “in denial” over the racism scandal that forced the former Yorkshire spinner to leave England after he lifted the lid on abuse in the domestic game. Rafiq appeared before the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport select committee on Tuesday for the first time since November 2021 when he gave harrowing evidence about the racism he faced during his time at Yorkshire. The 31-year-old used his latest appearance in front of the committee to highlight the abuse he and his family have endured since he blew the whistle.