Russia defies cliches
Warm host seen as winner on and off the pitch
RUSSIA overcame plenty of pre- t ournament criticism on and off the pitch through its hosting of the World Cup which shook up the pecking order in world football. FIFA president Gianni Infantino dubbed the June 14-July 15 event “the best ever” World Cup, and there was little arguing against it, with local organisers happily boasting “we can.”
State-of-the-art stadiums in 11 cities, perfect organisation and hospitable locals embraced the hundreds of thousands of visitors from the around the world who – especially from Latin America – showed the Russians in return that the showcase event can be a big party.
“It showed that we are an open, hospitable, smiling people ... It was a j ourney of discovery f or everyone,” organising committee CEO Alexey Sorokin said.
Human rights organisations such as Amnesty International
noted the positives, and expressed hope after criticism on freedom of speech and press in Vladimir Putin’s country that they would last.
Germany became the third defending champions in a row to bow out in the group stage, Lionel Messi’s Argentina and Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal went home after the round of 16 and Neymar’s record winners Brazil exited in the quarters. But the Russian home team electrified the whole country with a run into the quarterfinals, the best placing in 52 years.
“We hope that the new era is beginning in Russia as everyone now wants to play football,” coach Stanislav Cherchesov said in an interview with state news agency Tass.
Russia eliminated Spain in the last 16 on penalties after the2010champions h a d sacked coach Ju len Lapetegui just days before their opening match and replaced him with Fernando Hierro. They then went out in another shoot-out against Croatia. “Maybe this this is one of the weirdest World Cups,” Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic said. “It has demonstrated that football has advanced so much that any team can have the right defensive organisation. Individuals can’t resolve everything. This World Cup was fair for teams with solidarity.” Belgium impressed with a World Cup best third place, and a young England led by tournament top scorer Harry Kane went all the way to fourth in their best showing in 28 years – with manager Gareth Southgate also making a fashion statement with his waistcoat. Most games were tight affairs and dozens of the 163 goals so far came from set pieces but there was only one goalless draw, between then already qualified France and Denmark in the group stage, which left the fans booing and jeering. They also voiced their displeasure over Neymar’s play-acting, and Croatia defender Domagoj Vida felt the wrath of the fans after some statements i n reference of Ukraine.
The Serbia vs Switzerland game meanwhile led to plenty of outrage, with Swiss Xherdan Shaqiri and Granit Xhaka provoking the Serbs with a double eagle gesture in reference their Albania/Kosovo heritage, while Serbia coach Mladen Krstajic suggested German referee Felix Brych should be brought before The Hagues’s war crimes tribunal.
Krstajic fumed that Brych did not give Serbia a penalty in an incident where the referee’s ruling was not overturned by the video assistant referee (VAR).
The technology however made a very successful debut, with Infantino happily saying it “is not changing football it is cleaning football.” And while he said “you will never see a goal scored in offside any more” there still remains plenty to relive and discuss from the monthlong tournament. – dpa