If only there was already a biennial continental competition FIFA could support better to provide opportunities and dignity to the players in question.
Women's soccer. Philippines vs Taiwan penalty shootout for a spot in 2023 Women's World Cup
Philippines qualify for a FIFA event of any kind (men, women, youth) for the first time ever. They upset Thailand to get the easier matchup against Taiwan.
Crazy shootout to get in. They have 10 Americans on the team!
Could not find better highlights then this, such the status of women's football.
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Watching the Oilers defend is like watching fire engines frantically rushing to the wrong fire
Bayern Munich striker Lewandowski, 33, who is his country's all-time highest goalscorer, added: "I can't imagine playing a match with the Russian national team in a situation when armed aggression in Ukraine continues. Russian footballers and fans are not responsible for this, but we can't pretend that nothing is happening."
Sweden and the Czech Republic said in a joint statement that play-off matches should not be played in Russia.
"Due to the escalation of the aggression of the Russian Federation towards Ukraine, the Polish national team does not intend to play the play-off match against Russia."This is the only right decision.
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FIFA always punishes the victim. All the way back in 1973, Chile and USSR had an Intercontinental playoff. USSR refused to play the 2nd leg in Santiago because Pinochet was literally executing prisoners at the National Staduim.
Verdict? Chile qualified for 1974 and USSR was suspended. If Poland, Sweden and the Czech don't agree to play somewhere, Russia is going to the World Cup.
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Watching the Oilers defend is like watching fire engines frantically rushing to the wrong fire
FIFA always punishes the victim. All the way back in 1973, Chile and USSR had an Intercontinental playoff. USSR refused to play the 2nd leg in Santiago because Pinochet was literally executing prisoners at the National Staduim.
Verdict? Chile qualified for 1974 and USSR was suspended. If Poland, Sweden and the Czech don't agree to play somewhere, Russia is going to the World Cup.
This is as black and white as WWII was.
If that happens and Russia goes to the WC, no one will agree to play them except Serbia.
Maybe Serbia and Russia can have their own WC. Invite India and China.
FIFA is almost certainly leveraged here. It's widely assumed Russia bribed their way to hosting in 2018, if FIFA wants to expel them then Russia will release the bribery receipts, and many FIFA member will be heading to jail.
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"Think I'm gonna be the scapegoat for the whole damn machine? Sheeee......."
