France won the Fifa World Cup for the second time by overcoming Croatia's bold challenge in a thrilling final in Moscow's Luzhniki Stadium. Didier Deschamps' side repeated the success on home soil at France '98 by a margin that hardly looked possible as Croatia stood toe-to-toe with the favourites for an hour. France's victory meant Deschamps, who captained them 20 years ago, became just the third man to win the competition as a player and coach. Croatia also felt their luck deserted them, but ultimately France ran out victorious to erase the memories of the loss to Portugal in the Euro 2016 final in Paris. France took the lead after 18 minutes when Antoine Griezmann's free-kick deflected in off Mario Mandzukic's head - but Croatia were by far the better side in the first half and deservedly equalised courtesy of Ivan Perisic's left-foot finish. Croatia were left nursing a burning sense of injustice when France restored their lead seven minutes before half-time through Griezmann's … [Read more...] about France beat Croatia in thrilling World Cup final
Fifa world cup final
France beat Croatia to become World Cup champion
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Kylian Mbappe of France celebrates scoring during the 2018 FIFA World Cup final match between France and Croatia in Moscow, Russia, July 15, 2018. - Photo Xinhua Viet Nam News MOSCOW — France overwhelmed Croatia 4-2 in the World Cup final at Moscow’s Luzhniki stadium on Sunday to lift the trophy for the second time in 20 years. The French, playing their third World Cup final, were made to sweat initially and were lucky to go ahead when Croatia striker Mario Mandzukic headed an Antoine Griezmann free kick into his own net in the 18th minute, the first own goal in a World Cup final. Ivan Perisic leveled with a powerful shot 10 minutes later but the Croatia midfielder was then penalised for handball following a VAR review and Griezmann stepped up coolly to convert the 38th-minute penalty and put France 2-1 up. Croatia fought hard for an hour but gradually ran out of steam after playing extra time in their three previous matches, and goals from Paul Pogba and Kylian … [Read more...] about France beat Croatia to become World Cup champion
HCM City to broadcast live World Cup action on big screens
HCM City people can see World Cup on Nguyễn Huệ Street. — Photo infonet.vn Viet Nam News HCM CITY — HCM City will be showing the opening ceremony and World Cup fixtures on big screens along the pedestrian zone on Nguyễn Huệ Street, the municipal People’s Committee has announced. Vehicles are prohibited from the street from 6pm-midnight. Live music performances and expert opinions will also be available for fans. 32 nations will be competing in Russia, including defending champions Germany, while Iceland and Panama will both be making their first appearances at a FIFA World Cup. A total of 64 matches will be played at 12 venues located in 11 cities. The final will take place on 15 July at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow. — VNS … [Read more...] about HCM City to broadcast live World Cup action on big screens
VTV announces costs for TV commercials during World Cup
VTV announces costs for TV commercials during World Cup The Saigon Times Daily HCMC – The TV Advertising and Services Center under Vietnam Television (VTV) has announced a price list for TV commercials to be broadcast on its channels during FIFA World Cup 2018 in Russia. Enterprises will have to pay VND500 million (US$21,900) for a 30-second TV commercial or VND250 million for a 10-second commercial in the final round, Lao Dong newspaper reported. This year, the price has reached a record high compared with recent World Cup seasons, with the cost of advertising in the final round surging 40% against 2014, so VTV can earn at least VND1 billion from a one-minute TV ad during the final. Prices during commentaries and the closing ceremony are high too, fluctuating between VND225 million and VND450 million for a 10-second and 30-second slot, respectively. Meanwhile, for matches in the first round, advertisers will have to spend between VND100 million and VND300 million for a 10- to … [Read more...] about VTV announces costs for TV commercials during World Cup
Vietnamese child to attend World Cup as player escort
The organising board awards the ticket to Nguyễn Lê Thanh Sơn (middle). — Photo cand.com.vn It is the first time a Vietnamese child has earned the right to enter the pitch for the World Cup final. Son took part in the World Cup player escort programme held by McDonald’s and FIFA and he won the award to travel to Russia. The programme aims to spread passion for football to members of the young generation all over the world. As planned, Son will leave for Russia on July 12th and take part in many activities organised by FIFA there./. CPV/VNA … [Read more...] about Vietnamese child to attend World Cup as player escort
Vietnam strikes eleventh hour World Cup 2018 deal
By Ha Do  June 8, 2018 | 08:27 am GMT+7 A picture taken on June 6, 2018 shows the 2018 FIFA World Cup logo on top of a building in Moscow. Photo by AFP/Mladen Antonov VTV secures broadcasting rights of all 64 matches, value of the deal not revealed. The waiting and the nail biting is over. The breath need not be bated anymore. Football lovers in Vietnam can now breathe normally as the country has finally secured the right to broadcast 64 games of the most anticipated sports event this summer, the 2018 Football World Cup. The deal was struck in the closing hours of Thursday. As of June 2, Vietnam was the only country among 220 members of World Football Federation FIFA without a contract to broadcast the matches, according to FIFA. The value of the deal has not been revealed, but it is said to be the same as for the 2014 World Cup, which was $7 million, or even lower. Fans and businesses hoping to cash in on the event were desperately looking for ways to … [Read more...] about Vietnam strikes eleventh hour World Cup 2018 deal
Egypt, Nigeria continue to splutter in World Cup warm-ups
Egypt, Nigeria continue to splutter in World Cup warm-ups Belgium's Kevin De Bruyne in action with Egypt's Tarek Hamed at King Baudouin Stadium, Brussels, Belgium on June 6, 2018 – PHOTO: REUTERS CAPE TOWN (REUTERS) - Egypt and Nigeria continued their recent poor form in World Cup warm-up games on Wednesday ahead of their bids to become the first African side to reach the semi-finals of the global showpiece event. Belgium eased past Egypt 3-0 in Brussels to extend the north African side’s winless streak since qualifying for the tournament in Russia starting next week. Eden Hazard provided the sparkle as Belgium dominated. The Chelsea forward set up Romelu Lukalu for the first goal and netted the second himself before halftime. Marouane Fellaini added a third in stoppage time to complete a strong performance by the hosts, who underlined their status as one of the favourites in Russia. Egypt were missing injured forward Mohamed Salah but their coach Hector Cuper … [Read more...] about Egypt, Nigeria continue to splutter in World Cup warm-ups
World Cup can bring fractured nations together: Study
Football fans will cheer on their teams at the World Cup finals in Russia later this month but researchers suggest the passions involved can be put to good use even off the pitch. A photograph taken on May 30, 2018 shows the FIFA World Cup 2018 flag in front of the Kremlin in Moscow. The FIFA World Cup 2018 tournament kicks off on June 14, 2018. (Photo: Mladen ANTONOV / AFP) The emotional effects of victory and even qualification for a major tournament may help strengthen national identity in countries where it is lacking, they argued. The study, published last month by the National Bureau of Economic Research, suggested a feel-good factor from big-match wins can improve trust between ethnic groups and cut unrest. "The effect is sizeable and robust and is not explained by generic euphoria or optimism. Crucially, national victories do not only affect attitudes but also reduce violence," it added. Ruben Durante, a political economist at the Paris Institute of Political Studies … [Read more...] about World Cup can bring fractured nations together: Study
VTV in deadlock over World Cup 2018 broadcasting rights
The FIFA World Cup 2018 will start in Russia in over a month but the Vietnam Television (VTV) has so far failed to land broadcasting rights due to the cost. VTV in deadlock over World Cup 2018 broadcasting rights Myanmar and Vietnam are the only two countries of 11 in South East Asia not to have confirmed TV broadcasting. This is not the first time negotiations for broadcasting rights for major sports events have faced difficulties because of high prices. The FPT Group bought the rights for World Cup 2016 at USD2m and the price went up to USD3.5m in 2010. The broadcasting rights for World Cup 2014 were offered at USD14m and finally was bought by VTV at USD7m. A figure of USD15m has been quoted this time by the rights holder. Le Dinh Cuong, Deputy Chairman and General Secretary of the Vietnam Pay Television Association, said VTV might not even be able to buy the exclusive rights and have to share with other channels as FIFA said the World Cup should be shown on free-to-air … [Read more...] about VTV in deadlock over World Cup 2018 broadcasting rights
Why Vietnam football fans celebrate Asian Cup semi like a World Cup win
Vietnamese football supporters have celebrated the under-23 team’s progress into the final four of the Asian Cup as if the team had already won the tournament or qualified for a FIFA World Cup. Foreigners in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and other towns across the country were surprised to be confronted by seas of people who took to the streets carrying the national flag in celebration of the U23’s quarterfinal penalty shootout win against Iraq on Saturday night. Revelers rejoiced after the game had ended in a tense 3-3 draw after extra time at the AFC U23 Championships being held in China. After learning of the reason for the outpouring of national pride, expats and foreign visitors were left scratching their heads, and pondering whether it was too early to celebrate. However, a look back at Vietnam’s football history over the last decade may explain why fans have not waited for a trophy to start celebrating. Revelers are seen on a street in Ho Chi Minh … [Read more...] about Why Vietnam football fans celebrate Asian Cup semi like a World Cup win