Four things we learned from FIFA World Cup quarters
Samara (Russia), July 8: The 2018 FIFA World Cup now has its four semi-finalists after a typically thrilling set of quarter-finals. Here are four things we learned as eight contenders for the title were reduced to four, reports Xinhua news agency:
1. Courage can only take you so far: Russia bowed out of the World Cup in a heroic and painful style following a penalty shootout against Croatia. Right now the Russians will be feeling the disappointment of their exit, but they should be proud of a squad of players who performed well above themselves and allowed their supporters to dream. The win against Spain was a minor miracle and fruit of their hard-work, courage and a necessary bit of luck. But if you want to get into the last 4 you need a bit more than that and a talented Croatia deserved to progress.
2. Let's talk about goalkeepers: The World Cup tends to be about strikers: Messi, Ronaldo, Neymar, Lukaku and Harry Kane, but the quarter-finals have been as much about goalkeepers as attackers. Belgium's Thibaut Courtois made a string of brilliant saves to keep Brazil at bay, England's Jordan Pickford made three magnificent stops to keep Sweden out, Hugo Lloris made out a great save against Uruguay for France when the score was still 0-0 and Danijel Subasic was once again an intimidating presence in the penalty shootout as Croatia got past Russia. Keepers win you matches just as much as strikers.
3. Be flexible: Belgium coach Roberto Martinez produced a masterstroke to help his side beat Russia, swapping the 3-4-2-1 he has used for most of the World Cup, for a 4-3-3 against Brazil. The different formation allowed Belgium to stretch Brazil down the flanks, especially the Brazil right and clearly caught Brazil by surprise. Meanwhile Fellaini was a threat in the air that Brazil struggled to deal with. Brazil's excellent coach, Tite, countered Martinez's strategy at halftime, but by then Belgium were 2-0 ahead; too much of a lead for a team that good to surrender.
4. France continue to improve: Didier Deschamps' side didn't look entirely convincing in their first two group games, making hard work of Australia and Peru, but World Cups with a possible 7 games in four weeks are all about evolving and growing as a team in a short span of time. France have done that and a team that looked disjointed in mid-June looks compact, solid and threatening after the first week of July: of course they have a fulcrum called N'golo Kante holding things together for them, allowing Paul Pogba, Griezmann and company to shine.
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Australian journalist's claim that she was forced to leave India not correct: Govt sources
New Delhi, Apr 23: Days after she left India, Australian journalist Avani Dias claimed on Tuesday that she was not allowed to cover elections and was compelled to leave the country even as government sources said her allegation is incorrect and misleading.
The South Asia Bureau Chief of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) left India on April 19, and she claimed on Tuesday that she was denied an extension of her visa by the Indian government because of her reports "crossed a line".
"After Australian Government intervention, I got a mere two-month extension...less than 24 hours before my flight," she said in a post on 'X'.
"We were also told my election accreditation would not come through because of an Indian Ministry directive. We left on day one of voting in the national election in what Modi calls 'the mother of democracy'," she added.
However, government sources said Dias was found to have violated visa rules while undertaking her professional pursuits.
In spite of this, on her request, she was assured that her visa would be extended for the coverage of the general elections, the sources said, adding her previous visa was valid till April 20.
"The contention of Avani Dias, the South Asia Correspondent of Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) that she was not allowed to cover elections and was compelled to leave the country is not correct, misleading and mischievous," a source said.
The sources said Dias paid the visa fee on April 18 and her visa was extended till end June the same day.
She, however, chose to leave India on April 20, they said, adding at the time of her departure she held a valid visa and her extension of visa stood approved.
Her point about not been given permission to cover elections is also factually incorrect, the sources said.
Coverage of election activities outside of booths is permitted to all Journalist Visa holders, they added.
"Authority letters are required only for access to polling booths and counting stations. This, however, cannot be processed while the visa extension is under process," the source said.
"It is pertinent to note that other ABC correspondents -- Meghna Bali and Som Patidar -- have already received their letters," the source added.
We were also told my election accreditation would not come through because of an Indian Ministry directive. We left on day one of voting in the national election in what Modi calls "the mother of democracy”.
— Avani Dias (@AvaniDias) April 22, 2024
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