RUSSIA’S READY. HOW ABOUT YOU?
Fans have their say about their team’s chances in this year’s FIFA World Cup.
Would you believe it? It’s already time for the next football world cup! Has it really been four years since the 7-1 thrashing that Germany handed out to Brazil? Well, one thing’s for sure — Russia 2018 can’t come soon enough for the Samba. The five-time world champions will be desperate to avenge that humiliation and show everyone that they still belong among the very best. But it’s not just the men in yellow who will be raring for kick off this June; England need to live up to the hype, Germany want to defend their crown, Spain will try to re-establish their dominance, Argentina are desperate to go one better than 2014… the list is long.
While I could give my own take on what to expect from the 21st FIFA World Cup, that would defeat the point of such an inclusive and widely watched tournament. With this spirit, I went about interviewing various fans. Here’s what some of them had to say.
Caesar Monteiro
(A Brazil fan)
“To me, Brazil is about style. They always seem to enjoy playing, which according to me, is the essence of football. Luckily, this team is no different, and its potent attack of Neymar, Coutinho, and Jesus, fully embodies this philosophy. Although I’d love to see them lift the golden trophy, I don’t believe this particular team is quite as good as some others. I think they will reach the quarter finals, anything more is a bonus.
Brazil has a strong balanced squad with no obvious weaknesses. Having said that, the one player I’d borrow from another team is Mats Hummels. He can bring the calmness and solidity needed for the forwards to fully express themselves.”
Shamolie Oberoi
(A France fan)
“France is arguably the strongest of the 32 participating teams. From the days of Zidane, Henry, and Pires, the team has been blessed with outstanding talent. However, ever since the turn of the millennium, they have too often fallen short of expectations, 2006 apart. But I believe this year is going to be different. With Lloris, Koscielny, Kante, Pogba, and Griezmann forming an enviable spine, France is going to comfortably reach the latter stages of the tournament, and hopefully win it!
The team is strong in every department, and I imagine fans of other countries would love to have some French players in their own teams. But the one player I’d happily steal for my own is Belgium’s Eden Hazard; he can tear open any defence all by himself, let alone with the able support of Griezmann and Dembele.”
Isha Garg
(A Germany fan)
“I’ve long been an admirer of German football and their ability to repeatedly hit the heights every time of asking. Although they haven’t quite converted their dominance into trophies, the fruit of their dogged determination eventually bore fruit in Brazil 2014! That 7-1 thrashing of Brazil in their own backyard will live long in my memory. And if being the defending champions isn’t enough, Hummels, Reus, Kroos, and Muller are some of the names that can put fear into any team. Anything short of another final this year, and I’d be disappointed.
That said, if I had the choice to pick one player from any other team, I’d go for Sergio Aguero. Imagine him feeding off the service of that midfield! The other teams may as well stay home.”
Anushka Chowdhury
(A Belgium fan)
“This Belgian team has what it takes to overthrow chocolate as the country’s most loved. And that’s saying something! With world-class players oozing out of every corner, this young team can grab the mantle from traditional international football powers. A semi-final spot is the least I would expect of this star-studded squad. The only reason I’d worry for Belgium is their lack of experience in big tournaments. But if big players such as Hazard, De Bruyne, Courtois, and Kompany step up, who knows what they can achieve!
The only way we can further strengthen this squad is to look at the very top. Lionel Messi wouldn’t be so bad, would he? :)”
The fans are clearly up for it. Now, it’s up to the players to finish the ongoing football season on a high, and live up to expectations in Russia. The world, will without doubt, be watching.
Fans have their say about their team’s chances in this year’s FIFA World Cup. Would you believe it? It’s already time for the next football world cup! Has it really been four years since the 7-1 thrashing
