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Fernandes double sends Portugal through to World Cup last 16

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2022

THE NATION

A second half brace from Bruno Fernandes sent Portugal through to the last 16 of the World Cup on Monday (November 28) to join France and Brazil after a 2-0 win over a lacklustre Uruguay.

Fernandes scored with a cross intended for Cristiano Ronaldo that sailed fortuitously into the net on 54 minutes and converted a spot kick in stoppage time to put his side into the knockout stages with a match remaining.

Portugal had the lion’s share of the possession and dominated for most of the Group H match, but struggled to create clear-cut chances until the second half in a game where Uruguay looked out of sorts and lacked initiative.

It was the third time at a World Cup that Portugal had won two successive group-stage matches and the previous two times led to streaks into the semi-finals.

Ronaldo set the tone for the match with some early showboating when he used a shoulder to redirect a long throw into the path of William Carvalho, whose powerful volley sailed over the bar.

Portugal looked threatening on the approach but struggled to create goalscoring chances, with Bernardo Silva, Fernandes and Joao Felix frustrated in front of the goal early on.

But it was Uruguay with the best chance of the half 32 minutes in when Rodrigo Bentancur picked up the ball and ran half the length of the field, skipping around three defenders before firing off a low shot that was blocked by the advancing keeper Diogo Costa.

Portugal

Bentancur was at the centre of the action again a few minutes later when his outstretched leg met a cross from the left from Mathias Olivera, trickling through to Darwin Nunez who failed to convert from close range.

Portugal battled hard for a goal and Felix came close on 52 minutes when he blasted low into the side netting.

They finally broke the deadlock two minutes later when Fernandes’ cross floated past Uruguayan goalkeeper Sergio Rochet, who was rooted to the spot as Cristiano Ronaldo rose to head the ball and initially celebrated the goal as his.

Uruguay had a brief rally to try to get back into the match after a raft of substitutions, with Facundo Pellistri making an instant impact, Luis Suarez coming close and Maxi Gomez hitting the post.

But the match belonged to Portugal and Fernandez, who coolly converted a penalty in stoppage time after a handball in the box that required a VAR review.

Hungry for more, Fernandes almost scored a hat-trick deep into stoppage time, with his effort saved at the near post by Rochet and a strikein in the last few moments that cannoned off the post.
 

THE NATION

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Late Casemiro strike sends Brazil into last 16

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2022

THE NATION

Brazil overcame the absence of Neymar to beat Switzerland 1-0 and advance to the round of the 16 of the World Cup on Monday.

Brazil overcame the absence of Neymar to beat Switzerland 1-0 and advance to the round of the 16 of the World Cup on Monday.

Casemiro scored in the 83rd minute with a shot from inside the area to put Brazil in the last 16 with a match to spare in Group G.
 

Brazil forward Neymar stayed at the team’s hotel treating a right ankle injury sustained in the opener in Qatar. Team doctors have not yet given a timetable on his return – or said if he will return at all.

The win gave Brazil six points from two matches, leaving Switzerland with three. Serbia and Cameroon, which drew 3-3 earlier Monday, have point each.

Switzerland, which had no attempts on target, needs a win in the last match against Serbia to guarantee its spot in the next stage. A draw may be enough depending on the match between Brazil and Cameroon.

The result extended Brazil’s unbeaten run in the group stage to 17 matches, with 14 wins and three draws. It has lost only one of its last 29 group games, with the last defeat coming against Norway in 1998 in France.

Switzerland had lost only two of its last 13 group matches at the World Cup.

Brazil

It was an even match early on, with both teams trying to control the game but not creating many significant chances. Without its injured playmaker, Brazil struggled to get near Switzerland’s area until Casemiro scored with a nice one-timer into the far corner, using the outside of his right foot in a shot that deflected slightly off defender Manuel Akanji.

Brazil coach Tite replaced Neymar with midfielder Fred, freeing up Lucas Paquetá to play closer to the attack. Éder Militão, who plays as a central defender at Real Madrid, came in for Danilo in the right back position, instead of veteran Dani Alves.

With Paquetá not being able to create much for Brazil, Tite began the second half with Rodrygo in the team. Richarlison, who scored both of Brazil’s goals in the opener, was not as effective and was substituted in the second half.

Vinícius Júnior thought he had given Brazil the lead with a shot from inside the area after a pass by Casemiro in the 64th, but video review determined there was offside in the buildup. Few had noticed it until the VAR call was announced at Stadium 974.

Both teams won their opening matches, with Brazil defeating Serbia 2-0 and Switzerland beating Cameroon 1-0. Brazil and Switzerland also met in the group stage in 2018, drawing 1-1.

THE NATION

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Ex-Korean taekwondo coach receives Thai ID card, is now ‘Chatchai Choi’

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2022

National taekwondo coach Choi Young-seok received his Thai national ID card at Bang Kapi district office in Bangkok on Monday.

The Royal Gazette had announced an order granting him Thai nationality in October this year.

Choi reportedly came to Bang Kapi district office with two Thai taekwondo exponents, namely Chutchawal Khawlaor and Chanatip Sonkham.

The national taekwondo coach’s ID card indicated his name “Chatchai Choi”, which was given by Somdet Phra Maha Rajjamangalamuni (Somdet Thongchai), the assistant abbot of Wat Traimit in August.

Choi said he feel relieved after receiving his ID card as he no longer needs to request a visa, work permit or other documents for work in Thailand.

He said he will purchase a house in Thailand to live with his family.

“Apart from being a national taekwondo coach, I want to participate in the election similar to other Thais,” he said, confirming that he will do his best in his duty to train Thai taekwondo exponents.

He said he will go to Nong Khai province on Saturday (December 3) to oversee the taekwondo promotion exam in the Northeast in a bid to inspire children.

He added that he would lead Panipak Wongpattanakit, the taekwondo exponent whom Choi guided to Thailand’s only gold medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, to participate in the World Taekwondo Grand Prix in Saudi Arabia on December 6.

Related stories:

• Coach Choi adds Thai nationality to Olympic taekwondo fame
• Coach Choi granted Thai nationality after leading Kingdom to taekwondo glory
• “Solid victory”: Thailand’s golden taekwondo coach gets new name

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Fuellkrug rescues Germany in showdown with Spain

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2022

Reuters

Substitute Niclas Fuellkrug’s close range strike late in the second half rescued Germany a valuable 1-1 draw against Spain in a World Cup Group E showdown on Sunday (November 27), a result which left the group wide open.

Alvaro Morata beat his marker and flicked the ball in at the near post past goalkeeper Manuel Neuer following a low cross from Jordi Alba in the 62nd minute to give Spain the lead.

But Fuellkrug levelled in the 83rd minute, smashing home a loose ball inside the box.

Spain top the standings with four points and now need only a draw in their final Group E game against Japan to progress. A win would send them through to the knockout round in first place.

Germany, who lost 2-1 in their opener against Japan, are bottom of the table on one point. They need to win against Costa Rica on Thursday and their hopes then depend on Japan losing. If Japan draw it would come down to goal difference or goals scored by Germany and Japan.

Spain

Reuters

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Mbappe double gives France spot in World Cup knockout stage

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2022

Reuters

Kylian Mbappe scored a second-half double as France became the first team to book their spot in the World Cup knockout stage on Saturday (November 26) by defeating a feisty Danish team 2-1 in a tense encounter.

After a goalless first half in which the defending champions dominated but failed to convert, defender Theo Hernandez linked up with the electric Mbappe, whose shot deflected off the heal of Andreas Christensen and into the back of the net to give France the lead in the 61st minute.
 

Denmark levelled seven minutes later, with Christensen making up for the deflection by blasting a powerful header past distraught French goalkeeper Hugo Lloris.

Mbappe finished the job in the 86th minute, converting on a cross from Antoine Griezmann and propelling the ball into the back of the net with his thigh.

France top Group D with six points, three ahead of Australia, who beat Tunisia 1-0 earlier in the day, with the Danes and the Tunisians both on one point.

France take on Tunisia and Denmark meet Socceroos in the final round.

France

Reuters

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Messi magic guides relieved Argentina past Mexico

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2022

Reuters

Lionel Messi thumped in a 64th minute goal and Enzo Fernandez added another late in the game to give Argentina a 2-0 victory over battling Mexico in their World Cup Group C match on Saturday (November 26) and reignite their tournament hopes.

Messi, who equalled Diego Maradona’s Argentina record of 21 World Cup matches, was nowhere to be seen for more than an hour before picking up an Angel Di Maria pass, finding just enough space and rifling in with his left foot from 20 metres.
 

Substitute Fernandez made sure of the three points when he curled a superb shot into the top corner in the 87th minute.

The result restored order for the Argentines in Group C after their shock opening 2-1 loss to Saudi Arabia.

Argentina, on three points, can guarantee progress with a win over Poland, top on four, in their final game on Wednesday.

Mexico, who have now lost all four World Cup clashes with Argentina, have one point and must beat Saudi Arabia, on three, to have any chance of continuing their run of making the last 16 in the last seven World Cups, but even that might not be enough.

With the prospect of an Argentina elimination, tensions were high on and off the ball in a scrappy first half but with the two sets of fans creating an electric atmosphere in the stadium.

Argentina
 

The opening period did not live up to the match’s billing with neither team wanting to commit too many players forward and apart from a free kick by Mexico’s Luis Chavez in the ninth minute that sailed past the goalmouth, there were few chances.

Mexico’s high pressing game stifled most of their opponents’ attack and Argentine talisman Messi, struggled to find any space to manoeuvre in a congested midfield.

Apart from a Lautaro Martinez effort that was well off the mark and another from Messi, Argentina were toothless up front.

But in a major blow to Mexico, skipper Andres Guardado, a veteran of five World Cups who until then had been a commanding presence in midfield, had to be taken off injured in the 42nd.

Mexico

The Mexicans still carved out two more chances before the break with Alexis Vega first curling a free kick over the wall for keeper Emiliano Martinez to save and minutes later thundering a shot over the bar.

The South Americans looked more determined after the break but had no real chance before their 35-year captain dragged them out of trouble with his second goal of the tournament.

The stadium erupted in cheers once more with Fernandez’s late strike which sealed Argentina’s first win in the tournament and rekindled Messi’s hopes of a first ever World Cup title.

Reuters

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Teams, players and Thai TV rights dominate World Cup talk: online survey

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2022

Thais following the World Cup online are mainly interested in three topics – players/teams, broadcasting rights, and private sponsorship deals – according to Wisesight.

The internet analyst tracked how Thailand-based fans followed the tournament in Qatar from October 1 to November 20.

That period saw a total of 148,137 World Cup-related messages in Thailand, generating a whopping 23.6 million engagements (likes, etc), or an average of 463,157 per day.

Facebook was Thais’ favourite method of following the tournament, with 75.87% of engagements.

Next came Twitter with 12.12%, YouTube (5.48%), and other platforms (6.53%).

The tournament has also revealed a huge gender gap. It is far more popular with male internet users, who posted 76.25% of World Cup-related messages compared with just 23.75% by females.

Online discussion was also dominated by youngsters, with people aged 18-24 generating more than half (51.1%) of World Cup engagements, followed by the 25-34 age group (35.61%).

Wisesight also ranked the top five World Cup topics online in Thailand:

1. Player/team news with 9,048,261 engagements

Most netizens were interested in individual players and also team updates.

2. Broadcasting rights (3,227,988)

Online interest soared when Thailand finally paid over 1 billion baht for World Cup broadcasting rights after last-minute negotiations with Fifa. Most Thai netizens agreed the rights were too expensive and said the government should have used the money for other things.

3. Request for private sector money to buy the broadcast rights (1,978,426)

The government was forced to seek 600 million baht from private firms – mainly True Corp, ThaiBev, and PTT – after failing to gather 1.2 billion baht needed to buy the rights under its “must-have” free broadcasts rule.

4. Jungkook BTS (1,238,617)

The K-pop star lit up Thailand’s internet when he performed at the opening ceremony of the 2022 World Cup on November 20.

5. World Cup promotional and advertising campaigns (923,752)

Huge brands climbing aboard the Fifa bandwagon to offer promotions for football fans include Adidas, McDonald’s, and Coca-Cola.

Wisesight reported the internet was also buzzing with opposition to using public money to buy broadcasting rights for a tournament in which the Thailand national team is not competing. The “must-have” rule is only meant to cover international events featuring Thai athletes, such as the Olympic Games.

Related stories

• Wasteful United States held to goalless draw by England
• Dairy Cows vs Samba: Strange Thai nicknames for World Cup teams
• ‘It’s called football not soccer’: UK embassy teases Americans before England-USA clash

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Wasteful United States held to goalless draw by England

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2022

Reuters

A youthful United States side outplayed England in their World Cup Group B battle but were left to rue a flurry of missed chances and poor finishing in both halves after having to settle for a 0-0 draw at the Al Bayt Stadium on Friday (November 25).

England, unchanged from Monday’s 6-2 win over Iran, could have sealed their place in the knockout phase with a win but were careless in possession and struggled to dominate the Americans, who steadily grew in confidence.

Tim Weah set up Weston McKennie with a measured cross but the midfielder blazed his effort over before Christian Pulisic’s powerful strike beat goalkeeper Jordan Pickford but crashed off the crossbar in a lively first-half display from the Americans.

The closest England came to breaking the deadlock was on the stroke of halftime when U.S. goalkeeper, Matt Turner, denied Mason Mount, while captain, Harry Kane, endured a frustrating evening up front as Gareth Southgate’s side laboured to earn a share of the spoils.

Wasteful United States held to goalless draw by England

Reuters

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Dairy Cows vs Samba: Strange Thai nicknames for World Cup teams

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2022

The creative nicknames that Thais give to national football teams might sound weird to foreigners.

Golden Thread, Dairy Cows, Ruthless, and Roaring Lions are just some of the names Thais have been calling national teams for decades.

Nicknames, not only for football teams but also people, were introduced mostly for newspapers where headline space is limited.

The language used in newsprint is different from standard Thai due to space and time limitations, so Thai journalists have to come up with interesting, eye-catching, and to-the-point nicknames to attract readers.

Here are a few interesting examples of Thai nicknames for national football teams;

Portugal: Foi Thong

Foi Thong (literally: golden thread) is the name of a Thai dessert with origins in Portugal.

A noblewoman named Thao Thong Kip Ma (Maria Guyomar de Pina) introduced the egg yolk-based sweet treats to King Narai’s court during the Ayutthaya Kingdom (1351-1767) – earning herself the nickname “Queen of Thai Desserts”.

England: Roaring Lions

The internationally recognised nickname for England’s national football team is The Three Lions. But this was stylised in Thai to “Roaring Lions” to create an emotional response in readers.

Brazil: Samba

Samba is an international icon of Brazil, made famous by the Rio de Janeiro carnival as well as ballroom dancers around the world.

Thai people are familiar with Samba dancing thanks to TV coverage of Brazil’s carnival season – and also goal celebrations.

The internationally recognised name for the Brazil team is “Seleção”, which means “selection”. But Samba better evokes the rhythm and panache of the most successful World Cup team, with five titles.

Uruguay: Ruthless

Uruguay’s nickname is inspired by their fierce playing style, which can spill over into violence. Silky skills combined with cutthroat tackling have earned the South American team two World Cup titles. However, their international nickname is La Celeste or Sky Blues, the colour of their team strip.

Argentina: The Sky Blue and White

Thai reporters and fans take their nickname for the Argentina team from its flag and home shirt. The Thai nickname is also a direct translation of La Albiceleste – Argentina’s globally recognised nickname.

Denmark: Dairy Cows

The actual nickname for the Danish team is De Rød-Hvide or the Red and Whites, from its flag and home jersey.

However, the Thai nickname came from the collaboration between Denmark and the Dairy Farming Promotion Organisation of Thailand. The company manufactures Thai-Denmark dairy products with the familiar cow logo that are available in supermarkets across the country.

There are plenty of other Thai nicknames for teams, inspired by their national icons.

They include:

• Spain: Fierce Bulls
• Cameroon: The Shamans
• France: The Cockerels
• Mexico: Django
• Netherlands: The Orange Knights/Orange Windmills

Related stories

• ‘It’s called football not soccer’: UK embassy teases Americans before England-USA clash
• Nielsen’s Gracenote Projects Brazil and Argentina Will Prevail at World Cup 2022
• Explainer: The JFA Pledge for 2050 — Japan’s road map to winning the World Cup

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‘It’s called football not soccer’: UK embassy teases Americans before England-USA clash

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2022

The British embassy in Bangkok has teased its United States counterpart across town ahead of the World Cup clash between England and USA.

The two sides will meet tonight (kick-off 2am, Thai time) in their second Group B match.

England won their first match 6-2 against Iran while USA earned a 1-1 draw against Wales.

England has a far longer football history, having invented the game in the 19th century before winning the World Cup in 1966. The United States only become seriously interested in football, which it calls soccer, in the 1990s after hosting the 1994 edition.

On Thursday, the British embassy tagged the US Embassy with a Facebook message reading, “Tomorrow team #ENG and #USA are going head to head in the #FIFAWORLDCUP 2022 in Qatar.

“U.S. Embassy Bangkok, hope you’re looking forward to the match as much as we are. 

Good luck to the players and may the best team win!”

The sting in the tail was a banner with the words “Keep Calm and Cheer for England” accompanied by a message: “It’s called football not soccer :)”

The US embassy hit back with a post in Thai reading “United (States of America), let’s go!” and a picture with the message, “Go Team USA”.

No doubt diplomats at both embassies will be tuning in at 2am tonight when the match kicks off live on the True4U channel.

Related stories

• Nielsen’s Gracenote Projects Brazil and Argentina Will Prevail at World Cup 2022
• Richarlison scores spectacular volley as Brazil see off Serbia
• Ronaldo relishes ‘beautiful moment’ with new World Cup record