Tag Archives: FIFA

AFTER LOSING THE FIFA WOMEN’S WORLD CUP, JAPAN FILES FORMAL PROTEST AGAINST WINNER UNITED STATES

July 5, 2015 Pol Pinoy 3 Comments

TOKYO, Japan (The Adobo Chronicles®) – The United States soccer team routed Japan 5-2 to win the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup today.

Team USA scored two goals within three minutes, and was ahead 4-1 at halftime. While Japan did ultimately score two goals on the previously unstoppable American defense, it was never even close to being enough to compete with the U.S. team.

The game ended up being the highest-scoring final game in the FIFA Women’s World Cup, and avenged America’s loss to Japan in the 2011 World Cup.

But the final game wasn’t the end of the story.

Minutes after its devastating loss to the United States, Japan filed a formal protest before the FIFA Board of Governors, seeking to disqualify the U.S. team and asked that the World Cup trophy be withdrawn and instead be awarded to Japan.

In its formal petition, Japan said that the American team was coached by Jillian Ellis who is openly lesbian. Two U.S. team members, Ali Krieger and Abby Wambach are openly gay as well.

Japan argued that “this is supposed to be the Women’s World Cup, not the Lesbian World Cup. Our team was put at a heavy disadvantage.”

The Adobo Chronicles® tried to reach FIFA and the U.S. Women’s soccer team for comment on Japan’s petition, but was unsuccessful. It looks like the celebration is in full swing and cell phones have been silenced.

Human Interest, International, Religion, Sports, Travel

WORLD CUP FINALS: TENSION IN THE VATICAN

July 9, 2014 Pol Pinoy 2 Comments

Popes Francis, left, and Benedict, right

Rome, Italy (The Adobo Chronicles) – It has come down to this: Germany or Argentina. Which team will win the 2014 World Cup?

The answer might boil down to who has greater favor with God — Pope Francis or Pope Benedict. Both Pontiffs have reportedly engaged in some major prayer petitions lately on behalf of their respective football teams.

Pope Francis is from Argentina and Pope Benedict is from Germany.

The outcome of Sunday’s World Cup finals will definitely confirm which of the two living popes is more favored by the Almighty.

Since the final match is scheduled on a Sunday when Catholics go to church to attend mass, will the Catholic faithful pray for their favorite team? Which prayer petition will be answered: pro Germany or pro Argentina?

There is so much tension in the Vatican right now.

Business, Economy, Human Interest, International, Politics, Religion, Sports, Technology, Travel

CHANGE OF VENUE: PHILIPPINES TO HOST 2018 WORLD CUP

July 9, 2014 Pol Pinoy 31 Comments

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (The Adobo Chronicles) – The 2014 World Cup concludes with the final match between Germany and Argentina this Sunday. Already, all eyes are focused on the 2018 World Cup.

Earlier, Russia won the bid to host the next World Cup, but mounting concern about the country’s human rights record has forced FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association) to cancel the winning bid and name an alternative venue for 2018 soccer games.

In an announcement that stunned the world football community, FIFA has named the Philippines as the new venue for the 2018 World Cup. Unknown to many, the Philippines does have its national football team named ‘Azkals,’ which is ranked 129th by FIFA. Whether or not the Azkals can qualify for the 2018 games is not an issue. Rather it is all about the venue.

This year, the Philippines will inaugurate the Philippine Arena located in Bocaue, Bulacan, just 14 miles north of Manila. It is owned by the filthy rich religious group, Iglesia Ni Cristo (Church of Christ), which accounts for just about 3% of all religious denominations in the country.

FIFA was very impressed with the enormity of the domed structure. Using the arena as the venue for the World Cup was the deal breaker in the decision to award the Philippines the hosting rights for 2018.

The 74,000 square meter indoor arena has a seating capacity of 50,000, way above the FIFA standard of 30,000 for its World Cup venues. Once completed, the Philippine Arena will be the largest domed structure in the world. In comparison, the Madison Square Garden in New York could only sit 20,000 people, while the Staples Center in Los Angeles has a capacity of 21,000.

Designed by Kansas City-based architecture firm Populous, construction is being carried out by South Korea’s Hanwha Engineering and Construction Corp. and is expected to be completed in time to mark the church’s centennial celebration this year.The church said it plans to use the arena for religious gatherings, except in 2018 when it will rent out the arena to FIFA.

It’s not only “more fun in the Philippines” (the Philippine Department of Tourism meme). It’s also bigger and better in this island nation.

See related story: World Cup, The Battle Between Two Popes.