FIFA Archives - Page 3 of 3

France vs Croatia: Should VAR Have Won the Man of the Match at the World Cup Final?

Everything is fair in love and VAR. This was true at the World Cup final between France and Croatia where a controversial VAR decision tilted the game in the favour of Les Bleus.

Hardik Rajgor May 10, 2016

Sports

What Do English Football and Indian Cricket Fans Have in Common? Unchecked Rowdiness

English football and its fandom echoes the ethos of Indian cricket. We’re like two step-brothers separated by format, whether it is in taking pride in bashing modest teams or treating matches with neighbour countries as a patriotism test.

Manik Sharma May 6, 2016

Sports

Bas Ek Goal?: A Non-Fan’s Greatest Nightmare During the World Cup

You don’t need to know the players’ names to enjoy a game of football. But when France and Belgium play a game as dull as a matrimonial profile written by your sanskari aunt, you wish football could live up to its reputation as the beautiful game.

Dushyant Shekhawat May 6, 2016

Sports

Argentina and the Thrill of the Last-Minute Scramble

In the World Cup match against Nigeria, Argentina, staring down the barrel at an ignominious first-round exit, had their moment of last-minute inspiration, and it saved their skins. Much like how we’ve all felt the rush of last-minute magic ahead of an examination, when we were students.

Dushyant Shekhawat April 3, 2016

Sports

Mirror Mirror on the Wall, Who is the Hottest Footballer of Them All?

The FIFA World Cup is a quadrennial Miss World pageant for dudes. To ensure complete fairness, we’ve ranked all the players on the basis of the three most important skills required in football: Have they got the game, heart, and the hot bod to be the ultimate Man of the Snatch?

Kahini Iyer March 10, 2016

Sports

We Cheer for Iceland, But Why Are We Clueless About the Rise of Real Kashmir FC?

This year, the tiny country of Iceland is grabbing headlines for its World Cup debut. And while there’s nothing abhorrent in finding inspiration in Iceland’s rise, it undermines the heroism of teams like Real Kashmir FC, who, despite the modesty of the game in our country, not only dream, but also deliver.

Manik Sharma March 10, 2016

Sports

In Defence of the World Cup Referee

There has been this sudden expectation from referees to run as fast as Cristiano Ronaldo, maintain the vision of Hawkeye, and display the coolness of the Dalai Lama, while being super self-aware that every single error they make will instantly be dissected by millions of fans. But let’s remember referees are humans too.

#VALUE! March 5, 2016

Sports

Why the World Cheers for Underdogs Like Croatia and Kevin Anderson

It doesn’t matter what game is being played, an unlikely upset burns brighter than an easy victory. No wonder then, that anyone who wasn’t French rooted for Croatia at the World Cup.

Dushyant Shekhawat March 4, 2016