Match 5 - "I Am Africa" & Happy Thanksgiving!
Let’s be clear, that is a song title / lyric from The Book of Mormon (Broadway musical, not whatever Joseph Smith published in 1830).
I’ve worn a few jerseys so far. Trying to represent one of the teams of the match that I’m attending. So far I’ve been on point. Unfortunately, for Switzerland v. Cameroon and my final match for the First Round of games, I didn’t own a relevant kit. I instead went for my only African national team kit, Nigeria. The Super Eagles are known often for their bold and popular kits. Ahem, if you wander over to the Scarf Fundraiser I’m hosting, you can also see how I was inspired by Nigerian design to make some pretty sweet Nigerian scarves, albeit for a fictional Nigerian from a television show.
I had a great time masquerading as a Japanese fan. But Nigerian was quite fun too. I felt quite comfortable quickly, when I saw many different African kits on gameday. I know it’s a very diverse place, but there is a sense of continental pride. Every Nigerian who saw me was quite thrilled that I was donning their iconic 2018 World Cup kit, and I took many a picture with strangers! I ended each interaction with a “I’ll see you in America in 4 years!” Which seemed to delight them even more that yes, their nation would have a good chance to qualify into the expanded tournament in 2026. Someday I would really like to go to Lagos and the rest of West Africa (amongst many other places I’d like to go to in Africa). Also, it was a pretty boring match ending 1-0 for the Swiss.
(from left to right) This is me with Kay (he said I wouldn’t be able to pronounce his name) and Stone.
Fan Village
Free zone often gives an impression that other parts of an area may be less free. This one didn’t feel particularly free. Just more of a last minute makeshift solution to house around ten thousand people. Just row after row of shipping containers made into small two occupant rooms, all laid on top of a barren rocky desert that was inexplicably not even paved or even smoothed out before the green thin carpet was laid on top. It’s got weird energy. There’s some amenities that are nice. A convenient grocery store, pharmacy, viewing area, luggage storage, and food stalls (including a Starbucks). Lines were long, and service was slow. I had to visit when Todd and Sam headed there to switch accommodations. Their check in at 4 PM had a huge line, it must have taken them hours. I sorta wish I could stayed a night just to see what the atmosphere was like. But Dubai will have to suffice.
Pictured below: On the left is the main corridor of the Fan Village with food stalls lining it. There are fewer options than it looks. Central and right is the main viewing area to watch the matches (in Arabic). Lots of seating. However, the center picture is during the day, and you can see it’s too hot, with people hiding in the shade, and even creating semi walls with the cushions to create shade. Versus the right, when the sun is starting to set, and the majority of the space is in the shade.
The Belgium Away Kit is my favorite one so far. Definitely eyeing it, thinking Trossard or De Bruyne. Interestingly, the kit is being sold in Qatar with the Love tag removed. And in the airport with the Love tag on it… for all of Qatar’s positives, it certainly has some hypocritical advertising everywhere reiterating versions of the Golden Rule (treat others as you would like others to treat you), as they clearly have some issue following it themselves.
Met up with my mother and sister in Dubai’s airport and we headed to our hotel at the manmade Palm Island. It’s significantly more humid here than in Qatar. Drinks and snacks on the waterfront to watch Brazil. Also one hour ahead. That’ll be confusing (foreshadowing I’m sure).
This is some work remote dedication by Stone.
Week 1 Featured Player Recap
FotMob (app that is very helpful to start following soccer worldwide) Ratings included
Yunus Musah
6.6
Came off with a slight injury, hopefully will start against England in Game 2
Jude Bellingham
8.6
Scored a goal an was absolutely dominant.
Olivier Giroud
8.9
Scored a brace (two goals) and was Man of the Match (MOTM)
Virgil van Dijk
6.9
Solid and kept the clean sheet
Bernardo Silva
7.5
Wild match, but he did enough to help the attack score three
Thibaut Courtois
8.8
Saved a penalty and was Man of the Match (MOTM) for a 1-0 victory over Canada
Simon Kjaer
7.5
Solid and kept the clean sheet
Alisson Becker
6.8
Solid and kept the clean sheet
Emiliano Martinez
5.2
Got scorched on both goals, but the whole team is to blame for their lack of result.
Neco Williams
7.1
Seemed fine?
