World Cup takes over Hayfield classrooms

Neia Anne Javier Dizon and Rania Baamrani
January 23, 2023

Courtesy of Aracely Rocha Torrez

 

From the relapse of Stranger Things addictions to the explosions of BeReal and Wordle, the past year has proven to be one for the books. Waving goodbye to 2022, the year was capped with one of the most anticipated events of the last four years. It was the culmination of nations around the world and the increasingly competitive culture surrounding the event that sparked intense anticipation. We may also give recognition to the pandemic, fostering a need for a reminder of the nostalgia prior to lockdown and the unity of national pride for countries across the globe. What is this extremely accredited, idolized event? FIFA’s World Cup.

FIFA’s choice of holding this event in the winter, rather than its usual summer kickoff, consequently incited watch parties in the school setting, including at Hayfield. 

Courtesy of Neia Anne Javier Dizon

As Hayfield students, with the prevalence of football culture and accessibility of streaming devices, the 2022 World Cup emerged as a period of time that impassioned students’ motivation in the education sphere. With frequent matches on school days, especially being streamed in classes, the library, and cafeterias, a sense of unity among Hayfield students grew leading up to the anticipated winter break and coincidentally, the World Cup Final. 

Courtesy of Tinsae Habte

“I like the World Cup, it’s a good time for us to come together and watch it on somebody’s laptop or on the projector because it makes me feel like there’s something to look forward to,” Junior Jaslyn Truong said.

Prior to the 2022 World Cup Final, we searched for both popular and diverse answers from Hayfield students to questions regarding favorite players, teams, moments, and matches. 

 

 

Alex Blanco

Q: How do you feel about the World Cup in the school setting?

AB: It’s fun, and energetic, one of the main reasons I do come to school. I just feel like a lot of the arguments and fighting with the other students is really funny.

Brazil’s Neymar celebrates scoring the opening goal during the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Croatia and Brazil, at the Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar, Friday, Dec. 9, 2022. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez) (AP)

Q: Favorite team(s)

AB: Definitely Brazil, I feel like they got it. I’ve made bets with a lot of people already, and if they do win the World Cup, I will dye my hair blonde.

Q: Favorite player(s)?

AB: Neymar Jr, definitely.

 

Q: Favorite moment?

AB: How far Japan did. Surprisingly, no one was seeing them to go so far.

 

Q: Saddest moment?

AB: Not seeing my team make the World Cup.

 

Q: Best game so far?

AB: When Japan beat Germany 2-1 to qualify for the Round of 16’s

 

Addison Lusk

Q: How do you feel about the World Cup in the school setting?

AL:  I feel like teachers should let us watch it more as long as we get our work done in the process. It only happens every four years, so when we get out of high school, it’s not going to be as fun because we won’t have all our friends around. 

Players of the United States salute supporters at the end of the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between the Netherlands and the United States, at the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha, Qatar, Saturday, Dec. 3, 2022. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco) (AP)

 

Q: Favorite team(s)

AL: Morocco, Brazil, and Argentina

 

Q: Favorite player(s)?

AL: Messi, Pulisic, and controversial, but, Neymar

 

Q: Favorite moment?

AL: When Osman Bakari did Ronaldo’s celebration, SIU, and Cristiano got so mad about it. That was so funny. (Portugal v. Ghana)

 

Q: Saddest moment?

AL: When the U.S. were eliminated because they were so sad about it. (USA v. Netherlands)

 

Q: Best game so far?

AL: Most entertaining was Croatia vs. Japan, but we got in trouble for watching it. It was understandable, but I think she should’ve been a little more lenient because it was a [penalty] shootout.

 

Kiara Repuyan

Brazil’s Richarlison,second right, scores the second goal of his team against Serbia during the World Cup group G soccer match between Brazil and Serbia, at the the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar on Thursday, Nov. 24, 2022. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic) (AP)

Q: How do you feel about the World Cup in the school setting?

KR: I like it because it gives us a sense of community.

Q: Favorite team(s)

KR: England all the way! 

 

Q: Favorite player(s)?

KR: Bukayo Saka for England.

 

Q: Favorite moment?

Richarlison’s scissor-kick goal for Brazil. (Brazil v. Serbia)

 

Q: Saddest moment?

KR: Seeing Suarez cry after Uruguay got kicked out. (Uruguay v. Ghana)

 

Q: Best game so far?

KR: Ghana v. Uruguay, because it was 

a long-term rivalry.

 

Yahia Omar

Saudi Arabia’s Salem Al-Dawsari, second left, celebrates after scoring his side’s second goal during the World Cup group C soccer match between Argentina and Saudi Arabia at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2022. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno) (AP)

Q: How do you feel about the World Cup in the school setting?

YO: It’s nice, some teachers let us watch the games. The games aren’t predictable, and you’re around your friends, so it’s fun.

 

Q: Favorite team(s)

YO: Argentina

 

Q: Favorite player(s)?

YO: Messi

 

Q: Favorite moment?

YO: Messi losing against Saudi Arabia.

 

Q: Saddest moment?

YO: I don’t really have a sad moment, everything has been entertaining so far.

 

Q: Best game so far?

YO: The Saudi Arabia game. That was tough.