Group A preview. PROFILE
| UPDATED/EDITED EVER SO SLIGHTLY ON 14/12/22 AT 22:36. ]
| Introduction (LOVE. PEACE. REBEL) |
This is not about agreeing with the politics of the 2022 World Cup (for me, I absolutely don’t agree with the human rights side of things), this is about not letting people taking en(joy)ment away from you because of the actions of others (it’s about football too, and I want to watch football, as a football fan).
Part of me thinks the best way to stand up against this World Cup is by not taking it too seriously, so that is sorta where I am at with it, and yet it is the World Cup (the World Cup).
The other part of me thinks, we shouldn’t let people who made these decisions that are out of our hands take our football away, and we are better off making a stand by what we say and do on a daily basis.
Thankfully, football at the highest level is extremely diverse, and there are a ton of footballers who stand up for social issues and stand up against discrimination.
Humour can be used for entertainment, enjoyment and to lighten the mood.
It can also be used how to show ridiculous and wrong things are.
So, this is a mainly focused, informative and ‘serious’ post but I tried to make it light, joyful and stimulating in parts.
I know that what is going on in Qatar makes me feel appreciate my freedom even more so, of which I want to embrace, and showcase.
I want to make sure I engage with what is going on, not just on the pitch, but off it too.
I can’t control what is happening in Qatar, or what decisions FIFA make or what governments are doing.
I engage with what is going on the world, there are times when I don’t want to, but I am very conscious of the discriminations that exist in this world.
I think it is worth remembering how big this is for the players too, yes they are on huge money, but for numerous players this is going to be their first World Cup.
But most importantly there are players that are engaged in modern issues, are fighting discrimination and still remember where they came from (and give something back).
But aside from all that, let’s not forget, this is a sport (yes we want to gain, for ourselves in some cases with people playing fantasy football or placing bets, but this is literally a form of entertainment).
We naturally think about winning, we are thriving for more, but there’s times when we just need to enjoy things (if/when possible).
On that note, I want this post (or other ones that I am writing), to be informative (looking at things from a statistical or performative perspective) but also to be joyful (or rebellious, cool, different, humourous, unique, entertaining, insightful, or whatever really) above anything else.
So I’ll wrap this up with the following positive line (I think so anyway).
LOVE. PEACE. REBEL.
| A WC2022 XI (Semi Real/Semi Fantasy, With An Eye On Players Who May Shine In ‘Reality’ And/Or For Those Who Are Playing Fantasy Football) |
Think these numbers are OK now, like I say, I’ll have to put these out now! (Stream of consciousness style).
| Qatar 🇶🇦 [ Eliminated ] |
● Host nation
● First ever World Cup
● May line up with a 3-5-2 formation (or something along those lines)
(First/mother tongue) language spoken – Arabic
Aproximate/estimated population – aproximately 3 million people (it is believed that just 11 % of people in Qatar are Qatarian)
| Fixtures |
Vs Eduador (Al Khar, 20/11/22, 16:00 GMT)
Vs Senegal (Al Thumama, 25/11/22, 13:00 GMT)
Vs Netherlands (Al khar, 29/11/22, 15:00 GMT)
| Senegal 🇸🇳 [ Eliminated ]|
● African Cup of nations (AFCON) winners/current holders
● Famously beat France (1-0) at the 2002 World Cup
Main language spoken – French
| Fixtures |
Vs Netherlands (Doha/Al Thumama, 21/11/22, 16:00 GMT)
Vs Qatar (Doha/Al Thumama, 25/11/22, 13:00 GMT)
Vs Eduador (Al Rayyan, Khalifa, 29/11/22, 15:00 GMT)
Vs England (0-3, DEFEAT)
| Key Players (Or Starters)|
Mendy
Koulibaly
Sarr
| Holland 🇳🇱 [ Eliminated ] |
● Competing in their first World Cup since 2014
● 2nd major international tournament since 2014 (doesn’t include the Nations League)
● World Cup finalists in 2010, 1978 & 1974
● European championships winners in 1988
| Fixtures |
Vs Senegal (Doha, Al Thumama, 21/11/22, 16:00 GMT)
Vs Ecuador (Al Rayyan, Khalifa, 25/11/22, 16:00 GMT)
Vs Qatar (Al Khar, 29/11/22, 15:00 GMT)
Last 16: Vs USA (3-1, WIN) [ Updated on 03/12/22 at 17:17. ]
Last 8: Vs Argentina (2-2 AET, Argentina win on penalties, DEFEAT – I know some outlets call a win on penalties a draw but I don’t – Argentina won mate)
| Key Players (Or Main Starters) |
[ Updated on 03/12/22 at 17:15. ]
Van Dijk
● Normally has a brilliant passing range, which can be very appealing in the SkyFF game
● In a group that does not consist of overly attacking teams (Mané is out for Senegal)
● A threat from set pieces
● 54 caps for Holland [updated on 14/12/22 at 22:34. ]
● 6 goals for Holland
● 47 career goals at club level
Dumfies
● Starred at Euro 2020, the Inter Milan player offers plenty going forward as a wing back by looking to get in behind defences to provide pull backs or crosses (to potentially get assists or even goals)
Gakpo
Seemingly playing through the middle, as part of a front 2, in a wing back system.
3 goals scored in 5 matches at the 2022 World Cup.
Or sometimes is elected to play as a 10 behind a 2.
[ Added to on 14/12/22 at 22:35. ]
Depay
Playing as one of two players in a front 2/split strikers in a 3-5-2/3-4-1-2 formation.
[ Added to 09/12/22 at 18:45. ]
| Ecuador 🇪🇨 [ Eliminated ] |
Ecuador enter yet another World Cup, having featured at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
| Fixtures |
Vs Qatar (Al Khar, 20/11/22, 16:00 GMT)
Vs Netherlands (Al Rayyan, Khalifa, 25/11/22, 16:00 GMT)
Vs Senegal (Al Rayyan, Khalifa, 29/11/22, 15:00 GMT)
| Key Players (Or Starters) |
[ Updated on 26/11/22 at 13:11. ]
Estupiñan
The Brighton full back (or wing back), goes into the tournament fairly fresh, and is very attack minded when getting into advanced positions.
Estupiñan is seemingly in favour for Eduador, and has not played excessive minutes during club football in 2022/23.
As someone who plays for a De Zerbi’s Brighton in the Premier League, he has not been playing in Europe, and has looked bright in recent weeks (especially against Aston Villa in GW16).
Caicedo
Enner Valencia
● 3 goals scored in 3 matches at the 2022 World Cup [ Added to/ppdated on 05/12/22 at 22:56. ]
🏳️🌈🏳️🌈🏳️🌈 LOVE. PEACE. REBEL. 🏳️🌈🏳️🌈🏳️🌈
ZONERISM 