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Cheers, jeers as World Cup fever splits family loyalties

Published:Friday | November 25, 2022 | 12:08 AMCecelia Campbell-Livingston/Gleaner Writer
Argentina supporter Kenton Webb, whose wife Trishanna teased him relentlessly when his team lost on Tuesday, was all too happy to return the favour on Wednesday when her team also tasted defeat in the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Argentina supporter Kenton Webb, whose wife Trishanna teased him relentlessly when his team lost on Tuesday, was all too happy to return the favour on Wednesday when her team also tasted defeat in the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Lisa Kelly and son Wayne, rival fans of Brazil and Argentina, show they are good sports despite the family banter.
Lisa Kelly and son Wayne, rival fans of Brazil and Argentina, show they are good sports despite the family banter.
The sole Brazil fan in his household of six, Jamoi Randall had a field day on Tuesday when Argentina suffered a shock defeat to Saudi Arabia.
The sole Brazil fan in his household of six, Jamoi Randall had a field day on Tuesday when Argentina suffered a shock defeat to Saudi Arabia.
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The FIFA 2022 World Cup kicked off in Qatar on Sunday and has ignited fierce rivalries within families as love does not prevent against battle lines when the whistle blows. It can be an emotional roller-coaster as one relative eventually has to...

The FIFA 2022 World Cup kicked off in Qatar on Sunday and has ignited fierce rivalries within families as love does not prevent against battle lines when the whistle blows. It can be an emotional roller-coaster as one relative eventually has to endure the teasing that comes with the bitter pangs of defeat as the other basks in the sweet taste of victory.

Kenton Webb, a teacher at Glenmuir High School and also a dedicated Argentina fan, is anxious for his team to again take the field to rebound after falling to underdog Saudi Arabia 2-1 in a thrilling match in their first outing at the tournament. He is confident that the next time around, their fortunes will be different.

On Wednesday, he could hardly contain his excitement in going home.

After Argentina’s loss on Tuesday, he had to endure his wife, Trishanna, poking fun at him after the loss. She did not spare his feelings as she rejoiced in the loss.

Chuckling, he told The Gleaner that it was time for payback. Trishanna’s team, Germany, also suffered a shock defeat to Japan, and he was ready to revel in the moment.

“She was mouthing me about Argentina’s loss, but now it’s gonna be my day because when I go home. I am going to ensure that I give her the same treatment that she gave me,” he shared, still laughing.

However, they are good sports, Kenton pointed out, declaring his love for Trishanna, even as he promised that the “verbal thing” was going to be intense.

Kenton said he is still looking forward to great things from his team.

“I really believe this World Cup is set out for Argentina even though they lost the first match,” he said.

Trishanna was quick to counter his optimism, noting that her team could well win the coveted title.

“We (Germany) didn’t come out as the winner [in the first match], but we are still in a great chance of being the world champions,” she said confidently.

Brushing aside the several laughing emojis her husband sent her after Germany was beaten, she remains unperturbed, with Antonio Rüdiger her favourite player.

She also disclosed that Germany is among countries she would wish to visit one day.

Lisa Munroe Kelly has to deal with her son, Wayne Kelly, “sabotaging” her as he takes down her Brazil flag and ensures that his Argentina flag takes pride of place in the home.

With a laugh, she said that whenever she goes into his room, Wayne is on the defensive, hiding his flag to prevent any act of retribution.

“I wasn’t gonna take it down ‘cause mi nuh bad mind. Mi know Brazil a go mash up di place,” she said.

Wayne, who has been hooked on football since he was six years old, said he grew to love Argentina as he became fond of their playing style. He made no bones about the fact that Lionel Messi is his favourite footballer.

“After following up the game, I got to develop and drift towards the different types of players you like or want to see. Messi was that person for me,” he told The Gleaner.

Since he got hooked on Argentina, he has never wavered in his devotion. The loss his mother teases him about makes no difference as he is convinced his team will shake it off.

Lisa said she was puzzled as to why her “baby” developed an affiliation to Argentina as everyone else in her family is a staunch supporter of Brazil.

She could not stop singing the praises of the Brazil players, noting that the entire squad was top-notch.

Dismissing her son’s devotion to Argentina, she quipped, “You can easily well change Argentina and call it Messi because is like Messi is the only player, but all the players on Brazil are ‘A’ class, and that is from long time.”

As she anticipated Brazil taking to the field against Serbia on Thursday, Lisa was anxious to see Neymar.

“Probably mi a go faint when mi see him walking out,” she said.

Brazil would emerge 2-0 victors.

Jamoi Randall is the sole Brazil fan in his household of six persons. All the others are behind Argentina.

A former footballer himself, he said he has been supporting the South American country since he was six years old after he was drawn in by their style of football. He bragged that at one point, he used to be nicknamed ‘Ronaldinho’ because of the “flashy plays” he made.

And while he gives Argentina’s Lionel Messi his perks as unquestionably one of the best footballers in the world, he said nothing can compare to Brazil’s flair on the field.

On Tuesday, when Argentina lost, he said he had a field day watching them squirm.

While not fully sympathetic, he revealed to The Gleaner that one member of his household got up early for the first time about 4 a.m., got dressed for school and then settled down to watch the match. He eventually left the house without having breakfast and returned home still not having an appetite as he was depressed over the loss.

“He wasn’t the only one. About two others in the house did the same thing,” Jamoi shared, admitting that he wasn’t really super sensitive to their feelings. “I just told them that World Cup really starts on Thursday when Brazil get into action!”

cecelia.livingston@gleanerjm.com