The Asian Age

IMMORTAL MAGIC WOVEN WITH BALLS AND HEARTS

- ARJUN R. SHANKAR

The World Cup 2018 in Russia is almost there and has united the World to witness the magic of football. Let’s glimpse through the specialiti­es and interestin­g activities of this year’s World Cup.

1Ranked 198th in the latest FIFA rankings, this country won’t be playing in Russia. But the Adidas Telstar 18 footballs manufactur­ed by this country will be used in the World Cup matches. It is one of the most renowned countries in the world in the manufactur­e of sport equipments. Identify.

2The 2018 World Cup will also herald a technologi­cal first. It is a team of three people who work to review certain decisions made by the main referee by watching video replays of the relevant incidents. Zinedine Zidane during the 2016 FIFA Club World Cup Final called the system a source of confusion. Identify.

3What do you do when the stadium doesn’t have the required seats that FIFA asked for? The 45m high Bleacher structures created at this place is huge and stretches outside the stadium behind the goal on either side and has increased the capacity to 45,000. Identify the stadium.

4This country was supposed to make its World Cup debut in Russia, but the FIFA expelled them from the competitio­n because their Official Football Associatio­n failed to pay former coach José Claudinei a severance fee within the time granted by the FIFA. Identify.

5This thing provides visa- free entry to Russia for foreign citizens who have purchased 2018 FIFA World Cup tickets. Such fans will be able to enter and remain in the country. All ticket holders need to hold this together with a valid match ticket in order to enter the stadiums. Identify.

 ??  ??
 ??  ??

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from India