FIFA FOOTBALL WORLD CUP QATAR 2022 - NEWS BLOG - UPDATE 22

 HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATION IN QATAR TO SPECIAL LEAVES FROM JAPANESE EMPLOYERS - THIS WORLD CUP HAS SEEN IT ALL

"Is there little concern in Japan about human rights violations in Qatar, the host city of the World Cup?

The soccer World Cup (World Cup) in Qatar was the first to be held in the Islamic world. While the situation is gaining momentum, the international community has criticized human rights violations against local foreign workers and sexual minorities. Some national teams have expressed their intention to protest and some cities have announced the cancellation of public viewing (PV), but criticism is less noticeable in Japan than in Europe.

Last month, the European Parliament adopted a resolution condemning the human rights violations of migrant workers and sexual minorities.

At the tournament, the captains of seven European teams, including England, were scheduled to wear "One Love" armbands, which appeal for the elimination of discrimination against sexual minorities. However, FIFA issued a warning to players wearing the armband, and teams gave up wearing it.

Before the match between Japan and Germany on 23 November, the German national team posed for a photo with their mouths closed as a protest, which attracted a lot of attention. Ripples are spreading, with major cities such as Germany and France announcing the cancellation of PV.

On the other hand, such developments are rare in Japan Japan. Gongo Matsunaka, president of Pride House Tokyo, an organization that disseminates information about sexual minorities and conducts exchange activities, points out the lack of interest in the unfamiliar country. "Not many people know that there is discrimination against sexual minorities in Qatar." Pride House Tokyo is considering a response to the problem.

OPENING CEREMONY OF FIFA
FOOTBALL WORLD CUP QATAR 2022

How do the supporters perceive it? Following the victory over Germany in the first match, sports stores were crowded with people looking for Japan national team merchandise. Emi Yoshida, a 20-year-old university student from Suginami Ward, Tokyo, who visited the store, said, "As a characteristic of Japan people, it may be difficult to speak up on their own Japan. A 46-year-old male office worker said, "I think there are many people who think that sports competitions and human rights issues should be separated, and I don't know what to do."

Hideaki Nakagawa, executive director of Amnesty International Japan, an international human rights organization, analyzes the reasons for the lack of response in the Japan: "In Europe and other countries, human rights have a history of being won by people, but in Japan, human rights tend to involve compassion and morality." Amnesty International International, including Amnesty International Japan, has called on FIFA to establish a relief fund for workers who have suffered from harsh working conditions in the construction of the venues.

"Perhaps because Japan people have a strong sense of responsibility, they Japan tend to think that the word 'rights' such as 'human rights' can only be exercised after fulfilling some kind of 'obligation.'

On top of that, I hope that sporting events such as the World Cup, in which each country participates, will spark interest in human rights issues among many people. "Human rights are not a political message, but a story of each individual, and I hope that the players will not be afraid to express their opinions."

"Special leave" to support the Japan national team, the movement recommended by companies spreads World Cup

In order to get the national team to support the national team Japan the soccer World Cup (World Cup), companies are recommending "special leave" to their employees one after another.

When the consulting firm Tomorrowgate (Osaka City) informed its employees that they would have a special holiday on the morning of the 2nd due to the match against Spain in the early hours of the following Japan hours, they were delighted.

CEO Kohei Nishizaki said, "I think the way the Japan representative does not give up until the end will also inspire his work."

The system that allows employees to take time off to watch sports is expanding, and many companies such as ASICS (Kobe City), a sporting goods manufacturer, have adopted it.

AN EMPLOYEE FROM JAPAN THANKING HIS 
BOSS FOR THE SPECIAL LEAVE TO VISIT QATAR

Serbian players praise for their good performance in the confrontation with Switzerland in the final T World Cup

In Group G of the first round of the World Cup Qatar, Switzerland defeated Serbia 3-2 on 2 September to advance to the final tournament in second place with six points (2 wins and 1 loss).

A total of 11 warnings were issued for both teams, and it was a rough affair, interrupted twice by skirmishes. Switzerland and Serbia, who last met in the first round of the 2018 World Cup in Russia, were involved in political performances, and it was a clash of wills.

It all started four years ago. After scoring against Serbia, Swiss players of Albanian descent with Kosovo roots showed off a pose reminiscent of the two-headed eagle depicted on the Albanian flag with both hands. Serbia still does not recognize Kosovo, which declared independence in '08.

Shaqiri, who was fined by FIFA for his political performance, opened the scoring in the 20th minute of the first half and the Doha stadium gradually became bizarre. Serbia was able to stay silent and managed to win the ball in midfield and scored two goals in just nine minutes with a fluid attack.

If this continues, Switzerland, who will be eliminated from the first round, will also go on the offensive. They equalised with Emboro's goal just before the end of the first half. Early in the second half, Shaqiri's floated pass was scored by Freuler to turn the game upside down again.

After that, fierce clashes continued, and both teams lacked attackers. It was frustrating and rough. The referee issued a series of yellow cards and tried to calm them down, but the intensity increased and the fight ensued. From the stands, Shaqiri was booed when he held the ball.

However, as the final whistle blew and Switzerland formed a circle of joy as they clinched their third consecutive playoff, the Serbians walked up to each other, shook hands and congratulated them on their hard work. Swiss coach Jakin looked somewhat tired, saying: "It was important to stay focused on the game, we used up a lot of energy and emotion."

World Cup match against Spain "ABEMA" reaches a record high of more than 17 million viewers

Two days after Japan beat Spain in the World Cup Qatar to advance to the final tournament, the number of viewers on the Internet TV "ABEMA" exceeded 17 million, setting a new record. The operating company announced on the 3rd.

ABEMA broadcasts all 64 matches of the Qatar tournament free of charge.

Korea's Son Heung-min leads to dramatic 16th round through pass Soccer World Cup

In Group H of the first round of the World Cup Qatar, Korea Republic defeated Portugal 2-1 on 2 December (3 Japan hours) to advance to the final tournament in second place in the same group.

I shed tears without worrying about people's eyes. South Korea's Son Heung-min took off his black face guard after hearing the victory whistle, lying face down on the pitch and crying. "I've been waiting for this moment for a long time."

I was in a corner. If they don't get at least three points, they will be eliminated in the final match of the first round. With the score still tied going into injury time in the second half, the end of his third World Cup was approaching.

The ace, who is also the captain, never gives up. He picked up the ball from the opponent's CK that rolled in front of him and ran up the right flank at breakneck speed. He dribbled to the front of the penalty area at once, and although he was surrounded by three opposing defenders, he kept it well and waited for his teammates to rise. He made an exquisite tame and delivered a skillful through pass to Hwang Hee-chan in the end. He created one-on-one situations with the goalkeeper and scored a last-minute winning goal.

He is the undisputed number one striker in Asia. He scored 23 goals in the English Premier League last season. He became the first Asian to be crowned top scorer in Europe's top five leagues. He wields his 183-centimeter body flexibly and has all kinds of drawers to the goal, from dribbling to getting out to the back. At 30 years old, he is extremely popular and well-known in Korea.

However, he broke his face in a game before the World Cup. At one point, their participation in the tournament was in jeopardy, and their home country was enveloped in shock. He underwent surgery immediately and played in "Batman" after his return. I managed to make it in time for the big stage.

He has had an illustrious career with his club, but he has no good memories of the World Cup. In the past two tournaments, they were eliminated from the first round. They have not scored a goal in this tournament either. In the second match against Ghana, despite trailing by two goals, they lost the match at the end, and were disappointed to shed a lot of tears on the pitch after the match.