Doha, Dec 09 (UiV/IANS) – The jersey prices of Germany and Belgium have dropped by a big margin in Doha following their poor performances at the 2022 Qatar World Cup.
The World Cup is not just a competition among the 32 squads but also a crucial market for the jersey sponsors. For some favourites who remain in Qatar, their jerseys have been sold out, but in stark contrast, for some other sides that have already left, their kits are unsalable.
In a shopping mall located in Doha, the jerseys of England, Argentina and Portugal who moved into the quarterfinals, are the most sought after, but those of Germany and Belgium that failed to live up to the expectations have to be sold at a discount, reports Xinhua.
Four-star Germany suffered a shock elimination at the group stage, the price of their authentic jersey plummeted from 670 Qatari riyal (about 184 U.S. dollars) to 329 Qatari riyal (about 90.3 U.S. dollars), a Belgium jersey originally priced at 430 Qatari riyal also dropped nearly 50 per cent. Besides, the jerseys of Spain and Japan also fell in price by different degrees.
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A customer who purchased a basket of discount merchandise told Xinhua that he was not a die-hard for these teams but just thought the price was nice for a jersey collection.
“We have prepared a large number of top favourite jerseys for the fans, but their unexpected eliminations make it difficult for us to destock, so we have to give a discount,” a salesman said.
Brazil must be at their best to beat Croatia: Danilo
Brazil must be at their best to beat Croatia when the teams meet in their FIFA World Cup quarterfinal here later on Friday, according to defender Danilo.
The right-back dismissed suggestions the five-time champions are firm favourites entering the match at Education City stadium.
“We are only sure of one thing: against Croatia, the best possible Brazil must appear, the best Brazil of this World Cup,” Danilo told a news conference, reports Xinhua.
“Croatia was a finalist in the last World Cup, they have an experienced base of good players, with a lot of temperament and ambitions to win. There is only one method to beat them, and that is to reach our best possible version.”
Danilo said he was hopeful that Juventus teammate Alex Sandro, who suffered a hip problem in Brazil’s second Group G fixture against Switzerland, would recover in time for Friday’s game.
In the event Sandro is ruled out, Danilo said he could stand in at left-back.
“I can play on the left or on the right, a little further forward or a little behind,” said the 31-year-old, who returned for Brazil’s 4-1 win over South Korea in the round of 16 after missing the previous two games with an ankle injury.
“I have played different positions under different schemes at Manchester City and at Juventus. The coach tries to get the best out of us and looks for that versatility in each one.”
