soccer Archives

Spain vs Russia Is the World Cup’s Version of the Hare and the Tortoise

The hare and tortoise scenario is becoming commonplace at the World Cup. First, Argentina lost to Croatia, and South Korea beat Germany. Now, Russia has reaped the benefits of Spain playing a style of football they were well-prepared to counter.

Dushyant Shekhawat July 25, 2016

Pop Culture

Manchester United V Manchester City: Jose Mourinho’s Mission Impossible

In an ironic role-reversal, the former bridesmaid Manchester City has now become the bride. Pep Guardiola’s men have probably embodied the Manchester United ethos more than Jose Mourinho would care to admit.

Aditya Rangarajan June 30, 2016

POV

U-17 World Cup and the Loneliness of Indian Football

Being a footballer in India is an exercise in loss. It comes burdened with aggressive cynicism. And the U-17 World Cup might match up to the spectacle of the IPL, but I wonder what it will do for the sport.

Manik Sharma June 29, 2016

Sports

Why Our Fathers and Mothers Cheer for Brazil at the World Cup

For second-generation Indians, football has existed like a good book, only in translation, with Brazil writing the most musical of sentences and poetic of thought all along. For them, Brazil’s preposterously stylised brand of football is the only version of the game worth watching.

Manik Sharma June 23, 2016

Sports

Bas Ek Goal?: A Non-Fan’s Greatest Nightmare During the World Cup

You don’t need to know the players’ names to enjoy a game of football. But when France and Belgium play a game as dull as a matrimonial profile written by your sanskari aunt, you wish football could live up to its reputation as the beautiful game.

Dushyant Shekhawat May 6, 2016

Sports

United They Fall: The Misery that Comes with Supporting Man U

Manchester United has 99 problems, and football is just one of them. While failures off the pitch are behind closed doors, the visible culmination of it all takes the form of poor performances on the ground. As a fan, watching the entire spectacle at Manchester United is more heartbreaking than the entire run of This Is Us.

Hardik Rajgor March 27, 2016

Sports

Will an Underdog Like Mexico Rise This World Cup?

A good underdog story often feels therapeutic, not just because it offers the pleasures of watching dynasties and reputations crumble. But because it is also the kind of raw story we want to live and tell. No better place to witness it than the World Cup.

Arré March 14, 2016