World Cup briefing: Closing whistle blows for Qatar’s shortlived stadiums

Lower than two weeks after making its debut as a World Cup venue, Stadium 974 will bid farewell on Monday evening after internet hosting Brazil’s spherical of 16 match in opposition to South Korea. The shortlived area — made out of 974 stacked delivery containers — may have fulfilled its goal after internet hosting seven matches.

The primary non permanent stadium in World Cup historical past might but have a second life. Organisers have promised to dismantle it, pack it up, put it on a ship and reassemble it abroad. Initially it was anticipated to go to someplace in Africa, however the newest noises recommend that it’d find yourself in Uruguay. If that does occur, it might even be reborn as a future World Cup stadium: Uruguay is prone to be a part of a pan-South American bid for the 2030 competitors.

Stadium 974 was designed to handle considerations that Qatar was spending billions of {dollars} on white-elephant venues that may don’t have any use after the event was over. However questions stay over the opposite stadiums.

The Zaha Hadid-designed Al Janoub will even get its final second within the highlight on Monday, earlier than half its seats are pulled out and “donated to soccer improvement initiatives abroad”. All collectively, Qatar has promised to provide away round 170,000 seats after the ultimate whistle.

Al Janoub is certainly one of two grounds that shall be handed over to native soccer groups after the World Cup, whereas Khalifa Worldwide will stay as Qatar’s nationwide stadium.

The huge tent-like Al Bayt, some 50km north of Doha, is slated to turn into a luxurious resort (with a 32,000-capacity venue in the midst of it), whereas Lusail, the most important of the eight venues and host for the ultimate on December 18, is about to turn into a “neighborhood hub”.

Qatar’s exceptional assortment of World Cup stadiums had been constructed at nice price, but particulars stay fairly obscure on what’s going to really occur to them when the Fifa circus leaves city.

One to look at on Monday: Japan look to make historical past

Japan have already set data in Qatar. They beat Spain of their ultimate group sport with simply 17 per cent possession. No staff has seen so little of the ball in a World Cup match since 1966.

In addition they put Germany on the trail to an early exit, defeating them 2-1 within the opening sport in one of many event’s shock outcomes. These twin upsets put Japan prime of their group.

The subsequent problem shall be to beat Croatia, shedding finalists from Russia 2018, and their former Ballon d’Or successful talisman Luka Modrić. Success would see the Samurai Blue make their first ever World Cup quarter-final. Talking forward of the sport, Japanese defender Yuto Nagatomo known as on his teammates to point out “samurai spirit”.

Croatia haven’t appeared convincing to this point, progressing to the final 16 with two 0-0 attracts and a win over relative minnows Canada. This might be an in depth one.

Fixture record:

Croatia vs Japan, 3pm UK time/6pm Doha time

Brazil vs South Korea, 7pm UK time/10pm Doha time

Weekend spotlight: Defensive Dutch chart completely different course to success

In a break from final week, there have been few surprises within the first 4 knockout video games. Lionel Messi powered a lacklustre Argentina previous a plucky Australia, Kylian Mbappé powered a slick France previous a colorless Poland, and Jude Bellingham, 19, powered a ruthless England previous an brisk Senegal. You may learn our profile of England’s teenage marvel right here, and Simon Kuper’s post-match evaluation of the staff’s 3-0 win right here.

In the meantime Louis van Gaal carried out his Netherlands staff into the quarter-finals. The staff are actually unbeaten in 19 matches beneath the 71- year-old former Barcelona coach.

Echoing the Japanese expertise, the Dutch beat the USA 3-1 on Saturday with simply 35 per cent possession, as van Gaal selected to depend on swift counter-attacks to punish a sluggish American again line.

Whereas many of the “large” groups in Qatar will look to regulate video games and maintain maintain of the ball, the Netherlands are utilizing a unique playbook. That might make them a menace within the knockout phases. Subsequent up they face Argentina in a rerun of the 1978 World Cup ultimate.

Learn Simon Kuper’s profile of Louis van Gaal right here.

Sunday’s outcomes:

France 3 Poland 1

England 3 Senegal 0