Morocco’s fairy tale run in Qatar ends!
France beat Morocco 2-0 to set up a World Cup final against Argentina. Theo Hernandez and Randal Kolo Muani were on target for Didier Deschamps’ side.
The Atlas Lions fought bravely, but conceded defeat. Morocco, the first African side in history to contest a WC semi-final following historic wins over Spain and Portugal, were roared on by another partisan crowd at Al Bayt Stadium and subjected France to heavy pressure, with Jawad El Yamiq striking the post as they fought valiantly despite injuries to key players.
France, though, showed its tournament pedigree, defending resolutely then seizing a chance to kill the game when Kolo Muani slid home Kylian Mbappe’s deflected effort at the far post, leaving the Moroccans heartbroken.
The reigning champions are seeking to become the first side to win back-to-back World Cups since Brazil in 1962. The French v Argentina battle is a repeat of the 2018 round of 16, which was won by France 4-3.
France won the semi-final, but the Atlas Lions won hearts and fame!
Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam Nadawa, Nasinu
World Cup final
Congratulations to the Les Bleus for qualifying for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 final, commencing on Monday morning at 3 o’clock Fiji time.
France are looking to defend their World Cup after defeating Morocco in the semis.
France are the first nation to reach back-to-back World Cup finals since Brazil in 2002, and first European country to do so since Germany in 1990. They have reached the World Cup final for a fourth time, all since 1998 (1998, 2006, 2018, 2022). This is twice as many as any other nation in this period.
The Les Bleus have never lost a World Cup match when leading at half-time, winning 25 times and drawing once. Randal Kolo Muani’s goal was the second-quickest scored by a substitute in a World Cup knockout stage match, that is 44 seconds.
Argentina have reached the World Cup final for the sixth time, level with Italy and Brazil and are just the second team in World Cup history to win two different semi-finals by a three or more goal margin, alongside Germany.
This has been their biggest World Cup semi-final victory while at the same time keeping a clean sheet.
I bet my bottom dollar that France will once again go into the World Cup history books by successfully defending the trophy and winning it back-to-back.
DINESH KUMAR Ba
Beach rubbish
The Fiji Times article on December 15 voices the concern from Lami Council CEO Azam Khan regarding the serious problem of rubbish along the beach at Tikaram Park and the effort the council has to put in to remove it regularly.
Mr Khan also mentions what he considers just one cause of this problem.
I would suggest that Lami Council should also be considered one of the causes of the litter we have on beaches due to their inability to control some of the most obvious sources and poor practices in Lami making things worse.
You only have to open your eyes whilst driving through Lami daily and ask yourself these questions.
Why is Lami Council allowing Waidinu Settlement, the area adjacent to the front of Lami Police Station to use the public road reserve verge as their personal dumping area for their trash that gets opened and spread around seven days a week?
Why is the Lami Council clearing drains and culverts, dumping the rubbish on the verges and leaving it there for weeks so that wind and weather just spread it around again?
Lami is getting filthier and until such time as the council, although knowing of these specific problems, actually takes action and does something, it will only get worse and the rubbish on beaches increase.
Grahame Stageman Lami
Where to?
THE much-awaited battle of the decade between the local messiah and the warhorse Rambo is over.
The winner has the aye and the runner up has the nay.
The vital question that will determine the security and well-being of Fijians is, where to from now?
Will Fijians be able to see green pastures and prosperity here at home or will this be another four years of another same old story of governance?
Well we can only hope for the best.
AREKI DAWAI Suva
Election analyst
Suddenly, everyone in Fiji is an election analyst. Dou bula!
Wise Muavono Balawa, Lautoka
System glitch
With all the time the FEO has had in preparing for the 2022 elections, I believe it is interesting and intriguing that there should be a “glitch” in the system on election day (or was it night?)
Rajend Naidu Sydney, Australia
Election Day
The historical public holiday on December 14 for people to vote looked like Election Festival as they made the best of this day, covered by the media.
Let’s move forward with peace, progress and prosperity for our beloved nation for all Fijians to live peacefully with unity in diverse Fiji’s plural society. Regardless of who has won, it’s time to take up new challenges and approaches ahead.
God bless Fiji.
Tahir Ali Hamilton, New Zealand
High five
To Simon Hazelman, I was waiting for this day before I said anything. High five brother.
Jan Nissar NSW, Australia
Valid reason
What would be the purpose of getting registered but not turning up on polling day to vote without a valid reason?
Could it be that what one seeks is not on offer or the complete disinterest in Fiji focussing on migration prospects?
Mohammed Imraz Janif Natabua, Lautoka
World’s richest
Elon Musk no longer world’s richest man with $US178 ($F390b) to his name (RNZ, FT 15/12). Who cares?
This should be the least of humanity’s concern.
Rajend Naidu Sydney, Australia
Hats off
After being blessed to have served as a polling agent during the election, I can honestly say that I take off my hats to all the polling officials and also polling agents.
I have seen first hand the immense work that these people have to do and it is not easy.
Huge respect for the work that they do.
Ratu Manoa Rokotavaga, Suva
Voter turnout
Good research topic why the 2022 General Election voter turnout was very low.
Asish Vinay Prasad Park Rd, Raiwasa, Suva
LETTER OF THE MONTH OF AUGUST:
Ablution blocks
I WAS quite intrigued to read FT 1/9 that the Hon Premila Kumar said that the ministry has produced architectural designs and engineering plans for ablution blocks which are approved plans from the municipal councils.
I consider myself fairly knowledgeable but I must confess that I was somewhat miffed at now knowing what ablution blocks were. Since my wife was not home, I had to resort to Google to find out what they were. Then I was even more intrigued. Ablution derives via Middle French and Middle English from the Latin verb abluere, meaning “to wash away,” formed from the prefix ab- (“away, off”) and lavere (“to wash”).
Early uses of the word occurred in contexts of alchemy and chemistry. Many religions include some kind of washing of the body in their rituals, usually as a form of purification or dedication.
Since the Jetset Town of Nadi is to become a city, it seems like a good idea to have these – the absolute ablution solution to the stench that emanates from the public washrooms at the Nadi Markets and the Nadi Town Council. For some weird reason I was reminded of the scene from Macbeth when Lady Macbeth laments “All the perfumes of Arabia will not sweeten this little land”- or was it town?
Arvind Mani, Nadi
LETTER OF THE MONTH OF OCTOBER:
Calculated risks
AS per your paper’s report (7/10/2022), FijiFirst party general secretary Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum has warned party provisional candidates of the financial consequences if they don’t make it to Parliament.
I can only hope that all the other political parties in the race can also follow suit and sound out similar words of caution to their respective provisional candidates. While many may frown upon Mr Sayed-Khaiyum’s warning, I take it as quite bold and courageous. Such warnings could potentially save careers and livelihoods.
Only the brave and determined will be able to make that final decision to stand or not to stand, for any political party. Such warnings, or simply advice will also help the parties eliminate the half-hearted and the not-so-sure type candidates.
Signing off, I would also sound out a word of advice to the readers; do not interpret this letter politically.
I have seen some unsuccessful candidates of various parties after the last two elections. Mr Sayed-Khaiyum’s advice rings true when I think of them! Risks are less painful when calculated!
Donald Singh, Lautoka
LETTER OF THE WEEK 5/12-11/12
TV at the market
I HAVE been out and about the Lautoka market since the TV screens were installed. Hardly any eyes are on them. I asked one market vendor about it.
He told me that if he starts watching someone will still his bhindi. Talk about return on investment.
