INN SportsWrap – December 2022

BRIAN SOCKINGTON: Our own Joe ‘SnakeDog’ Sockic is always up for an adventure, and he joins us now live from the FIFA World Cup in the middle eastern city of Doha, Qatar. Joe, you must be having a ball over there, despite some initial controversies lead up to the event? 

JOE SOCKIC: Yeah Brian, there were a few questions asked of the Qataris, like how a stiflingly hot desert nation with a terrible human rights record and no sporting infrastructure or history in the sport was able to beat other applicants like Japan, South Korea, the United States and Australia – this fan was able to clearly show, it all worked out for everyone in the end. And since we’re not allowed to discuss the 6,500 migrant workers who have died since Qatar won their bid for the world cup, or the approx. 500 who have died building the stadiums, we can switch off and enjoying the 50deg sunshine.

BRIAN: Yes, you look like you could use a nice cold beer Joe?

JOE: Well that’s not happening either because the Arabs have shut down beer sales outside of venues all across the country. 

BRIAN: But who needs beer when you have all the action of the FIFA World Cup, hey Joe?

JOE: Well, we’ve had a record-equalling seven 0-0 draws in the tournament so far, so a beer would be nice… How come no one in management told me there’d be no beer…

BRIAN: So give us a recap of the tournament highlights Joe

JOE: Well, aside from the epic 0-0 draws and matches decided by penalty shootouts, there was actually a fair bit to cheer about – So this Week’s INN SportsWrap will feature my top 5 moments of the FIFA World Cup.

INN SportWrap

1. Protests – They seem to be all the rage these days, except in Australia and Canada we you can be shot with rubber bullets or have you saving account closed, but Iranian players show a lot of courage by not singing their anthem in support of Masah Amani protests. Well done lads
2. Upsets – It was a wild world cup for upsets and everyone loves an underdog, except for Americans of course. Two of the biggest upsets of the cup came Saudi Arabia beating Argentina.
3. Sexy Goals – Messi warmed us up with this worm-burner against Mexico. Then Aussie Matt Leckie went all legs and arms slotting this one. And Salem Al Dawsari pulled this out his backside to knock off Argentina. But it was the Richarlison one-man bicycle show that won goal of the tournament for Brazil
4. Magic Morocco & Courageous Croatia –  We all remember Croatia’s gallant effort to make the world cup final in Russia four years ago, but the ageless soldiers almost did it again, this time taking out third place against the equally impressive Moroccans, the first African team to reach the final four of a world cup. 
5. Argentina Take the Bikkies from France – And the number one moment of the 2022 world cup in Qatar goes to Lionel Messi’s Argentina, who took home the bikkies against France in a 3-3 thriller that went to penalties. Despite an Mbappe’s hat-trick, it was champion Messi that lifted the trophy, and got to wear this magic black  robe.

JOE: Well I’m off to have a few Shishas and some cold water. So Happy Holidays Brian and Sands, and I’ll throw to the Beautiful Jane Bunion for Weather.