SPORTS December 5, 2022 THE ASIAN REPORTER n Page 13 Singing street marshals are Qatar World Cup’s surprise stars By Lujain Jo The Associated Press D OHA, Qatar — The World Cup 2010 in South Africa had Shakira. The 1998 tournament in France had Ricky Martin. For many fans, the unofficial soundtrack of the World Cup in Qatar is fast becoming the incessant chanting of street marshals, better knows as Last Mile Marshals. Seated all over Doha on high chairs more commonly used by lifeguards at swimming pools, these migrant workers have become a staple of the Middle East’s first World Cup. They point visitors flooding into the Arabian Peninsula nation in the right direction on their search for public transportation. It’s an important crowd control measure as an expected 1.2 million fans inundate Qatar, a country home to 3 million people. The vast majority of the marshals come from Kenya and Ghana. They say they responded to job ads in August and September, ahead of the World Cup. After a monotonous start, some marshals now sing or chant their instructions to fans. Bullhorns they carry blast out the recorded message again, and again, and again. The instructions spark laughter among fans who often join in with the chants. “Which way?” the fans chant. “This way,” ushers respond, pointing a giant foam finger toward a station on Doha’s new massive underground metro built for the tournament. The exchange then finds its rhythm and turns into almost a song: “Metro, metro, metro, this way, this way, this way.” Abubakar Abbas of Kenya says it all started as a way of easing boredom during his first days of work. “The fans were just passing by without SURPRISE STARS. Twenty-one year-old Osama from Palestine works as a street marshal prior to a World Cup Group G soccer match between Brazil and Serbia at Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, on November 24, 2022. The World Cup 2010 in South Africa had Shakira. The 1998 tournament in France had Ricky Martin. In Qatar, the tune that nests itself in the head is the incessant chanting of street marshals, better knows as Last Mile Marshals. Seated all over Doha on high chairs more commonly used by lifeguards at swimming pools, the migrant workers have become a staple of the Middle East’s first World Cup. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo) any engagement,” Abbas told The Associated Press from his high chair outside the Souq Waqif metro station, “So I decided to come up with an idea where I can engage the fans and be interesting at the same time. That’s how I came up with the idea and thank god it is trending now.” Qatar’s World Cup has already produced memorable moments on the pitch, including Argentina’s surprise defeat to Saudi Arabia and Germany’s loss to Japan. Outside the stadiums, the marshals trance-like chant is stuck in people’s head. “Even when I sleep at night, I hear ‘metro, metro, metro’ ringing in my head,” he said. World Cup redemption for Japan coach 29 years later in Qatar By Graham Dunbar The Associated Press A L RAYYAN, Qatar — The “Agony of Doha” came 29 years ago, and Hajime Moriyasu experienced it first hand as a midfielder on Japan’s national soccer team. He’s now the coach, and he’s made amends. Japan won its World Cup group December 1st after beating 2010 champion Spain 2-1 at Khalifa International Stadium. In late November, the team defeated 2014 champion Germany by the same score at the same venue. As time was winding down against Spain, Moriyasu was thinking about that game in Qatar against Iraq in 1993 that cost the team a spot in the next year’s tournament. “About one minute before the end,” Moriyasu said after the win over Spain, “I remembered the tragedy in Doha.” Leading 2-1 in the team’s final qualifier and knowing one goal for the opposition would spell the end, Japan conceded in stoppage time. Their World Cup hopes were dashed, and so was Moriyasu’s chances of playing at the biggest soccer tournament in the world. This time it was different. This time the defense held it together. This time the 54-year-old Moriyasu got his A Per f ect Time f or t he Gif t of Recover y If you keep gambling through the holidays, you may be risking more than just money. Buying presents is the least of it. Who might you disappoint if you’re glued to your phone or a game terminal instead of traveling? Or if you’re missing out on special programs and events? Or if you’re gambling instead of simply showing up for the people that matter? Hel p is Avail abl e ,WȠVHDV\WRSRVWSRQHWKLQNLQJDERXWGLIˉFXOWWRSLFVZKLOH the holidays are in full swing. But the good news is, the holidays are the perfect time to take back control. 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