THE FAIRY TALE

 

Image Credit- The Hindu.

Defying all odds Ivory Coast has won the Africa Cup of Nations in their home soil. It was truly a topsy-turvy journey. They won the opening game of the tournament, followed by back-to-back defeats. Due to this they sacked their manager in between and appointed an interim. Furthermore, they made into the round of 16 by the virtue of ending 3rd in their group.  However, post this there was a turnaround. The Hosts defeated the tournament favorites Senegal followed by Mali and DR Congo.

In the finals they faced a strong Nigerian Side against whom winning would not be easy. Furthermore, the Nigerians scored the opening goal of the match and took a 1-0 lead in the 38th minute. However Ivory Coast made a strong comeback as they scored two goals in the second half of the game and won the finals and the tournament 2-1. 

It is indeed a fairy tale as the side which was written off by all went on to win the tournament. This is the magic of the Beautiful Game.

QATAR HAVE WON IT AGAIN

 

Image Credit- Al Jazeera.

On 10th February 2024, Qatar defended their Asian Cup title at home when they defeated Jordan 3-1 in the AFC Asian Cup Final. It is interesting to note that the Hosts remained unbeaten throughout the tournament. However, there were moments wherein it felt like that they might get knocked out, but they kept their nerves calm and came out of every such situation.

Out of all the teams who took part in this tournament, the author is quite pleased with the performance of Palestine who despite all odds reached the round of 16 of the Asian Cup wherein it suffered a close defeat by the eventual champions Qatar. However, the team whose performance broke the heart of the author was Team India who even failed to score a goal in the tournament, forget about drawing or winning any game. It was a horrendous campaign for the Indian Side. One can only hope that they will take lessons from this event and improve themselves for upcoming tournaments.  

 

THE LEGACY OF JURGEN KLOPP

 AUTHOR- ANUPAM GAURAV

Image Credit- Liverpool F.C.

“If you want special results, you have to feel special things and do special things together. You can speak about spirit, or you can live it”, Well said by Jurgen Klopp. Jurgen Klopp a name synonymous of passion, dedication and a peak German. At the time when Jurgen arrived at Anfield they were facing management crisis, trophy drought, lack of motivation but when he set foot at the Great Anfield, he brought with him a vision, an energy that was infectious, and a belief that greatness was within reach.  Under his guidance, Liverpool rose from the shadows to become champions of Europe, capturing the hearts of millions with a brand of football that was as thrilling as it was effective. The historic comeback against Barcelona, the relentless pursuit of the Premier League title, and the triumphs in domestic and international competitions, each chapter in Klopp's journey added a layer to the rich tapestry of Liverpool's storied history. As we bid farewell to Klopp, let us not mourn the end of his era but celebrate the memories, the emotions, and the collective journey we've experienced under his stewardship. His legacy isn't confined to the record books; it lives on in the hearts of those who have witnessed the revival, the glory, and the magic he brought to Liverpool. Jurgen Klopp, thank you for the joy, the passion, and the unforgettable moments. As his departure marks the end of an era, he leaves behind an indelible legacy in the history of Liverpool Football Club.

Thank you, Jurgen Klopp, for an extraordinary chapter in Liverpool's history.

THE LAST DANCE

 

Image Credit- Sporting News.

Inter Miami were facing Al-Nassr in a friendly match in Riyadh. Every football fan was excited for it. Afterall it was Ronaldo versus Messi for one last time. However Ronaldo's injury prevented him from taking part in it. But, still he was there in the stadium to support his team. 

Surprisingly the game turned out to be a one-sided affair. A team without Ronaldo literally butchered the Messi led Inter Miami team. The score line of 6-0 shocked everyone. Otavio scored the first goal of the game in just 180 seconds and gave Al Nassr an early lead. However it was the hattrick of Talisca which took the game away from Inter Miami. He literally made a mess of the Inter Miami defense. But the moment which will always be remembered is the goal of Laporte. He scored a goal from literally his own half. It can indeed be called the goal of the year. 

In short it can be said that the Saudi based team literally dominated the entire game and Inter Miami were completely clueless. However one must admit the fact that even though Ronaldo and Messi are far from their peak of powers, but can still attract a massive crowd.  This shows their aura and legacy. Hence every football fan will hope that the two sides will meet again soon so that we can see Messi versus Ronaldo for one more time.