The need for a more telling tale

The World Cup in Bangladesh is most fun when both Brazil and Argentina fans have some real skin in the game. 

I watched the first semi-final with an even mix of Argentina and Brazil fans, and it seemed to me that the Selecao faithful, despite their best intentions, had a trying time backing the Croats. As good a story as Modric and his men tell on the screen, or on paper, they just don't bring enough sociopolitical game to get Bangladeshis truly riled up.

France will not do the job either, I am afraid. They are too historically privileged to trigger our rebellious imagination. Too polished. Too successful.

Now, to get the whole nation duly excited for the final, we need a more telling tale: the tale of a continent that has forever labored under the yoke of oppression and misrule. The tale of a country that has been on the receiving end of colonial hardship. The tale of a merry band whose best entertainment is eating their version of biriyani with Mom and Dad.  The tale of a David going for their fifth Goliath. The tale of the Atlas Lions. 

Should Morocco pull off their latest and most famous coup they will not only gift the Brazil-Bangladesh club a compelling team to support, they will also pose a real moral dilemma for Argentina fans. How can one root against a team that possess all the attributes one has ever sought to support? I mean, Argentina fans still can, but it won't be easy. Tension between the Selecao and Albiceleste will be duly restored, and the World Cup will be restored to its best bellicose glory.

Speaking of Morocco, their goalkeeper Yassine Bounou, much better known as Bono, has been among the cadre of post protectors that has generated excitement not seen since the days of Banks and Zoff.

We have heard many complaints about the VAR system in this tournament. But did you know that without a VAR intervention, we would probably have had no Bono in this World Cup? 

Two years ago, Bono was hanging on to dear job as the Europa League keeper for his club Sevilla. In an elimination game against Cluj (don't feel bad if you don't know who they are, I had to google them too) he let in a tame last-minute winner. It was goodbye Sevilla and goodbye Yassine, but then VAR intervened. A Cruj player was adjudged to have handled the ball. Sevilla went on to win the Europa league, and their Moroccan keeper went on to become a mini-legend. 

How can you not love a team whose star can make even VAR look good? Chin up, Brazil fans! There is life left in you yet!