"LONDON -- The inaugural FIFA Champions Cup semifinals played out in a half-empty GTech Stadium in Brentford, with two vastly different results: one that was expected, Arsenal's 6-0 demolition of AS FAR, and one surprise package: Gotham FC's 1-0 defeat at the hands of Brazilian side Corinthians. The poor timing and planning of the competition meant that the first game, Corinthians vs. Gotham, was spectated by groups of children on school trips"
"The 6 p.m. kickoff for Arsenal-AS FAR was not any easier, with most people leaving work around that time. Still, the heavy local Arsenal fan base were out in force, and a smaller contingent of Moroccan and AS FAR fans were dotted around the two stands that were open. The competition that was implemented instead of the Club World Cup, which was postponed to 2028, will take place annually for the three years in between each installment of the Club World Cup."
"Yet, the feeling among most is that, despite FIFA's claims of trying to grow women's football, the competition was shoehorned in and those in the women's game are at odds about whether this is indeed the best way to achieve sustainable growth. A surprise victory for the underdog The tournament was pitted as the battle between the Concacaf champions, Gotham, against Arsenal, the European entrant; the NWSL vs. the Women's Super League."
The inaugural FIFA Champions Cup semifinals in Brentford drew sparse crowds due to poor scheduling, with a midday kickoff for Corinthians vs. Gotham and an evening Arsenal match that clashed with work hours. Arsenal routed AS FAR 6-0, while Corinthians produced an upset by beating Gotham 1-0 through a late goal from veteran captain Gabi Zanotti. The competition replaces the postponed Club World Cup and will run annually in the interim, creating timing challenges as teams are out of season and major tournaments crowd the calendar. Opinions within the women's game question whether the hastily arranged event promotes sustainable growth.
Read at ESPN.com
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]