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Is South Korean Football Doomed?
February 5th, 2024. The South Korean national team is having dinner at their hotel on the eve of their semi-final match against Jordan in the AFC Asian Cup. Fresh off a dramatic 2-1 victory over Australia in extra time, the team seems destined to win their first Asian Cup since 1960. But in one…
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How BLUE LOCK Helps Explain Japanese Culture and Why It Hasn’t Produced a Top Striker Yet
Over the past quarter-century, Japanese football has experienced a golden era. Since reaching their first-ever FIFA World Cup in 1998, Japan’s men’s national team have played in each of the last seven editions of the tournament, reaching the Round of 16 in 2002, 2010, 2018, and 2022. However, they have yet to advance to the…
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The Role of Data in Player Recruitment and Scouting
In an era where every inch of the football pitch is scrutinized, the art of player recruitment is undergoing a revolution. Gone are the days when scouting relied solely on gut instincts or a scout’s “eye for talent.” Today, football clubs are turning to data—millions of data points collected from every touch, tackle, and sprint—to…
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Everton Takeover – The Solution or a New Problem?
They might not have a lot of trophies in the cabinet, but Everton have a lot to be proud of. The Toffees, the ‘other’ Liverpool team, have the 2nd longest continuous presence in the top flight, having played 122 seasons, and were a huge success in the old 1st division, winning it a total of…
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The Decline of Azerbaijani Football
Azerbaijani football is going downhill. Why? Azerbaijan’s men’s national team have failed to reach any international finals since 1992. Azerbaijan Premier League is no better shape. Aside from the oasis of the success of the women’s international; the men’s game is not exactly in a healthy condition. The decline has been attributed to a…
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Did the KGB Frame Russia’s Best-ever Footballer?
Any story coming out of the era of Soviet football might seem alien to many audiences and could be filled with tons of “In Soviet Russia” jokes but such levity doesn’t really have the place in a case like this one. Then again, how do you introduce the Soviet league to Western audiences? Whilst…
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The Beast from the East – The Rise and Stall, of the Saudi Pro League
It might be boring by modern standards, but this summer’s transfer window still had some surprises, whether it was Victor Osimhen’s move to Turkey, Brighton’s spending spree, or Liverpool only making two signings (one of which was loaned immediately back to his former club). However, one thing that probably doesn’t come as a surprise is…
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Sportswashing and Image Repair: A Case Study of Nigerian Public Response to Qatar: Part 2
Relationship Between Sportswashing and Image Repair The relationship between sportswashing and image repair constitutes a central theme in the analysis of Qatar’s hosting of the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Sportswashing, defined as a nation’s deliberate use of mega-sporting events to bolster its international image and deflect criticism , hinges on the assumption that association…
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Sportswashing and Image Repair: A Case Study of Nigerian Public Response to Qatar: Part 1
Sportswashing is a phenomenon where political leaders utilize sports to present themselves as important or legitimate on the world stage while simultaneously diverting attention from social issues and human-rights problems within their own country and stirring up nationalistic sentiment. These leaders often leverage major sporting events to bolster national image and project progress, notwithstanding…
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The Football Universe – The Rise of the Multi-club Ownership Model in Modern Football
Last month, reigning Premier League champions Manchester City made their first signing of the summer, signing Brazilian winger Savio from French 3rd division side Troyes for an estimated £31 million. Anyone signing for City or swapping the French 3rd division for the top of English football raises eyebrows, but this one was different. Why,…
