◆ 2022 World Cup Qatar ◆
US-Iran ‘political competition’
Wales-England, ‘enemy of the same roof’
“I’ll never lose you”
The 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where 32 countries that are the best in the world of football have gathered. Like the word ‘football war’, a fierce game unfolds without concessions. However, there are countries that play football like a real ‘war’. Just like Korea and Japan, who say ‘even rock, paper, scissors can never lose’, tough enemies met on the way to the round of 16. It’s a head-to-head clash between the US United States and Iran, ‘political rivals’, and England and Wales, who draw attention as ‘enemies under the same roof’.
Last April 2nd (Korea time). In the Qatar 2022 World Cup draw, when Iran was tied in Group B along with the United States, football fans in Iran could not hide their excitement and said, “Qatar World Cup Group B games are not ‘win nor lose’, but ‘win or die’.” he also said. Some argued that “athletes injured in this game should be treated as ‘people of national merit’.” Iran and the United States, truly unbeatable opponents, have finally met.
From the 28th, two wars were predicted in Group B while the group stage of the Qatar World Cup was underway. The game that attracts the attention of people around the world, not just football fans, is the United States and Iran. Currently, Iran is in second place with 1 win and 1 loss (three points), and the United States is in third place with two draws and two points. If the United States wins in the clash held at 4:00 am on the 30th, Iran will fall and advance to the round of 16 will be confirmed. Iran is a bit more relaxed. There is a high possibility of advancing to the round of 16 even if it is tied with the United States, and if it wins, it will definitely occupy one ticket to the round of 16.
The United States and Iran can be seen as ‘a history of discord and conflict’. In Iran, the Islamic Revolution in February 1979 led to a rapid change in the ruling system from a pro-US monarchy to an anti-US theocracy, and in November of that year, relations were severed due to the 444-day hostage incident. at the US Embassy in Tehran. Most recently, after the US assassination of Qasem Soleimani, the top commander of the Quds Force of the Revolutionary Guard Corps in 2020, there are many observations that hatred and revenge against the US has deepened.
Before the opening of the tournament, international public opinion that Iran should be kicked out of the World Cup for reasons such as women’s rights in Iran or military support for Russia was rampant. Of course, the United States also took the lead in demanding that Iran be kicked out of the World Cup. Also, in September, two months ago, anti-government protests continue in Iran due to the death of a college student named Mahsa Amini after being arrested for not wearing a hijab.
For this reason, the Iranian players did not sing the national anthem before the start of the first match against England and express solidarity with the anti-government protesters. I was upset about the problem. America pours oil here. In addition to the incident of removing the emblem of the Islamic Republic located in the center of the Iranian flag before the third match with Iran on the official social media account of the US national team, Iran disputes the International Football Federation ( FIFA) “The US must be kicked out of the World Cup.”
England and Wales, dubbed the ‘one-roof rivals’, will also be betting on their pride at 4:00am on the 30th. At the moment, England have crossed the top of the 9th division ahead of the round of 16 by gaining 4 points with 1 win, but Wales remain in last place with only 1 point with 1 draw and 1 a loss Wales must beat England by 3 points or more to look forward to the round of 16.
After all, English supremacy. England are aiming for their second World Cup title in 56 years since the tournament was held in 1966. However, Wales, who reached the finals for the first time since the Swedish tournament in 1958, are desperate for one win to avoid being deleted from the group stage. Wales progressed to the round of 16 as second in their group after reaching the finals for the first time in the history of the World Cup at the time.
The key is whether England’s main player Harry Kane (29, Tottenham) and Wales’ key striker Gareth Bale (33, Los Angeles) play well. Kane is England’s leading national goalscorer who was top scorer (6 goals) at the Russian 2018 tournament, but has not tasted goals in two consecutive games in this tournament. In addition, Bale, who had his peak at Real Madrid in the past, completed the warm-up by scoring a penalty in the first leg of the tournament against the United States. Kane and Bale also dined together at Tottenham in the English Premier League (EPL).
It is bound to be a deeply rooted historical animosity. The Anglo-Saxons, who dominated England in the 13th century, subdued all regions by force and created a united kingdom, and the ‘history of domination and conquest’ began. Unusually, the two teams are not seen competing together in the Olympics. Football is an exception. England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland all run their own associations and national teams. FIFA, which emphasizes the 1 country, 1 society system, also recognizes England’s status and uniqueness.
As an enemy, the fans already had a fist fight. The Daily Star reported that dozens of England and Wales fans clashed violently outside a bar in Tenerife before the match.
