A Singporean Road to World Cup Russia 2018 Part I

This article is about my journey and virgin experience of watching a World Cup in a foreign country. Helming from Singapore, this is how my experience went.

PART 1: Journey to World Cup 2018

My journey to the World Cup in Russia started way back in February 2018 when I received the opportunity to study in Russia during the summer for a summer exchange. I did not think twice about accepting the offer because I already had a passion for the Russian language and culture and the World Cup was actually an afterthought (incredible as it seems as I am a HUGE football fan). The World Cup in Russia for the 2018 edition takes place from 14 June to 15 July and is held in various cities across the Russian Federation.

Buying the World Cup ticket

After realising that the World Cup was during my summer exchange program, I quickly went to look up on how to purchase a World Cup ticket. As ardent a football fan as I was, I was not going to miss this opportunity and I quickly found out that one has to enter a ballot in order to be able to purchase a ticket. I already missed the first round of balloting, thus I have to enter the second round of balloting. The tricky bit was selecting a perfect date and the city to watch the match because at that point in time, I had applied to several universities, all in different cities such as Nizhny Novgorod, Moscow and St Petersburg which had different course durations. Furthermore, it was already towards the end of the (last) ballot draw thus I had to make a decision quickly.

The ticket website indicated the popularity of the matches, hence the probability of winning the ballot, and in the end, I chose a round of 16 match in Nizhny Novgorod on the 1^st of July with the possibility of watching Argentina play if they won their group. The ticket price set me back by SGD$153 (USD$115) for a Category 3 ticket and I duly noted the fact that a Russian citizen only has to pay about SGD$40 for the same tickets. I am not complaining too much because after all, they are the hosts (please, Singapore or ASEAN, host a World Cup during my lifetime), and comparing this to a ticket for a WrestleMania match in Los Angeles or a ticket to watch a performance at the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow which is priced around that figure, I think the World Cup is definitely more worth it.

Winning the ballot

It took several weeks for me to receive the exciting news in the form of an e-mail confirmation that I have won the ballot. I made sure that all my information was properly entered into the official FIFA system and read the steps I will have to take from then on.

I had to apply for a Fan ID using my Application ID which is a sort of pass which allows me to enter the stadium or travel around Russia without a hassle and also allows me two free train tickets to anywhere in Russia to watch the match.

I put off planning for the World Cup afterwards as I concentrated on my studies and on my application to the summer university (because if I don’t get in, it kind of defeats my original purpose). It turns out I will study in HSE Moscow as the university has a better ranking and summer program than the others which I have researched on. Hence, I will have to make plans to travel to Nizhny Novgorod and book an accommodation there too.

Settling my Transportation

Around the end of March, I received my Fan ID via mail which had a pass with my passport details and a rather unglam picture printed on it. It was then that I remembered I had to book a train ticket. To my horror, most of the train tickets for around the match period were already snapped up, thus in a day, I decided on the time and day of departure from Moscow to Nizhny Novgorod and back to Moscow.

The website I had to apply the train tickets from allowed me to choose the seats or bed on the train and showed the timing and duration of the train journey. This is important because different trains have different duration and schedules and thus, I had to plan accordingly. In the end, I chose an overnight train ride to and from Moscow.

For the flight ticket from Singapore to Russia, I booked them according to my summer exchange period and it costs about SGD 1700 on Etihad Airways with a transfer at Abu Dhabi International Airport. (Do note that if you are a student, you can actually book using an ISIC card or through STATravel for Singaporeans which will give you huge discounts for flight tickets!)

Settling my Accommodation

This was a particularly tricky bit because as the World Cup approaches, the price of accommodation naturally gets inflated. For example, a night in Nizhny Novgorod normally costs around SGD20/ night or less for a one room apartment but due to the World Cup, it inflates to about SGD 100/ night. I used AirBnB, aware of the risks of cancellation and such, and found the best apartment which costs surprisingly cheap at ~SGD50/ night and is near to the stadium.

Obtaining a VISA

For those who have not been to Russia, it is a point to note of the ridiculously arduous process of obtaining a VISA to step foot into Russia. Depending on the type of VISA, you will have to produce several documents and fill up several forms and submit them at the Russian VISA office or embassy in order to get your VISA. I applied for a student VISA which allows me to be in Russia for 40 days and was required to fill up an e-application form, obtain a Letter of Invitation from my host university, obtain a HIV test certificate (which requires to be stamped AND signed) and produce my standard immigration documents.

The Letter of Invitation is the tricky bit in the process of obtaining a student VISA and this also applies to those who wishes to apply for a Tourist or Personal VISA. You have to get invited by someone in Russia in order to enter the country. That means someone in Russia has to obtain your particulars and apply for an invitation at the Foreign Office in Russia to create an official Letter of Invitation for you.

For those who are using a travel agency, they usually have an office or someone in Russia who helps them to do this but if you are going on your own, you either have to ask the hotel or the owner of your place of accommodation for help in making the Invitation or know someone in Russia to help you get this Invitation. Thankfully, most of the hotels do provide this service and you have to ask them on how to go about doing this.

After someone applied for an Invitation for you, it takes around 20 days for your request to be processed and for you to obtain your Letter of Invitation which will be sent to your consulate or faxed to you depending on your preference.

That said, do start your application early and work on obtaining the documents months before you are due to travel, just in case there is a snag in the application process.

Ready for Russia

With all administration things settled, I now only need to pack my bags, create a travel itinerary and brush up on my Russian (which is not very necessary, but I think this opportunity would be an awesome chance to practice my Russian!). With great anticipation and my body burning with World Cup fever, I await the date as my date with Lionel Messi approaches.

Total Expenditure:
World Cup Tickets	SGD$ 153
Return Flight Tickets	SGD$ 1700
Accommodation	SGD$ 106
Russian Visa	SGD$ 168
HIV test	SGD$ 26
Total Costs so far: SGD$ 2163

Chelsea Players in the World Cup

For Chelsea fans worldwide watching the World Cup, a number of you will be watching and supporting a team just because the team has a Blues in it. With that, here is a list of Chelsea players who will be playing for their national teams in the World Cup in Russia.

Teams you can root for: Argentina, Belgium, Brazil, Denmark, England, France, Nigeria, Spain

1)      Eden Hazard, Belgium, Attacker

Belgium’s captain and arguably Chelsea’s finest footballing talent in recent years, he will be embarrassing the opposition with his dribbling and tricks in a star-studded Belgium side. He is expected to be utilised as a winger or second striker playing behind ex-Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku.

With a low centre of gravity, Hazard’s primary strength lies in his dribbling and pace where he has been praised for his ability to keep the ball and turn unexpectedly at pace, making him hard to dispossess or mark. His understated strengths includes his passing (expect him to lay unsuspecting rabona crosses or dummies) and timing of his runs through the defence.

2)      Thibaut Courtois, Belgium, Goalkeeper

The man who replaced the legendary Petr Cech has been a regular and starting goalkeeper for Belgium Red Devils for the past couple of years.

The avid basketball fan is an excellent shot-stopper with amazing reflexes to deal with shots across goal which many would not have been able to catch. He is an assured performer at the back who is comfortable with crosses (no less due to his 1.99m frame) but his self-proclaimed weakness lies in low shots aimed at his feet. Expect him to play an important role in the Belgium’s bid for World Cup glory.

3)      Willian, Brazil, Attacker

The ever-reliable winger has been a regular feature for Brazil despite changes to the coach in recent years which goes to show his reliability to perform (Remember the 2015/16 season?). Expect him to strut his stuff with the likes of Neymar in a frighteningly strong Brazilian squad this year.

Willian’s strength lies in his pace and especially, football skills; a trademark of Brazilian players. Called as Chelsea’s most skilful player by his Blues teammates, Willian can often time been seen juggling the ball and attempting tricks on it and this sets him apart from his winger counterpart in Chelsea, Eden Hazard.

4)      Cesar Azpilicueta, Spain, Defender

The one whom everyone calls Dave and Chelsea’s exemplary vice-captain will be part of the Spanish defensive rock which includes Sergio Ramos, Gerard Pique and Jordi Alba.

A strength of Dave is his consistency and reliability in defence which is a required ingredient for a world-class defender. He hardly puts a foot wrong during matches and he does have some pace to deal with pacey wingers. He will have tough competition for a starting spot though, given the plethora of defensive talent that Spain has, but if he plays, expect him to play as a leftback (if the preferred Jordi Alba is injured or suspended) or as a centreback as he has done with Chelsea.

5)      Andreas Christensen, Denmark, Defender

The young defender had an impressive run for Chelsea in the earlier part of the season, even managing to displace David Luiz from his starting spot but he then experienced a dip in form (and confidence) towards the end. The Danish, however, will be expected to start for Denmark if fit.

A successful example of Chelsea’s loan army program, the Danish centreback came back to Chelsea and had to wait his chance to impress. Only 21 years old, his main strength is his composure on the ball which minimises the errors made by him, and his positioning at the heart of the defence which allows him to snuff out the opponent’s chances before it even occur. If he regains his initial form, expect the top clubs to notice him!

6)      Wilfredo Caballero, Argentina, Goalkeeper

Willie will be expected to start for Argentina between the posts, despite being only a deputy and (some say) FA Cup player for Chelsea.

In truth, Caballero is a great shot-stopper with excellent reflexes which may even be better than Courtois. His weakness however, may be in his risk taking which includes coming off his line ever too often and his handling of the ball. Nevertheless, he is a formidable keeper and definitely an upgrade from Asmir Begovic, Chelsea’s previous deputy keeper. Expect the same great shot stopping and erratic punches when he plays!

7)      Gary Cahill, England, Defender

A Chelsea lion and part of the Three Lions who will be in Russia, the Chelsea captain will be a senior team member in a relatively young England squad.

Cahill is a solid defender good with his head, thus expect him to contribute some headed goals but his strength lies in his willingness to put his body in the line to clear away any danger. He will be crucial in providing the guidance and stability at the heart of the England defence.

8)      Ruben Loftus Cheek, England, Midfielder

The Chelsea loanee currently plying his trade with Crystal Palace, Ruben Loftus Cheek has been the surprise inclusion in Gareth Southgate’s squad, ahead of Adam Lallana and Jack Whilshere.

Loftus-Cheek is a slightly more defensive all-rounder midfielder. He has the height to challenge in aerial duals and is adequately good with the ball on his feet. While he may not be a confirmed starter for England, perhaps this experience will help to develop him better for the next few years.

9)      Ngolo Kante, France, Midfielder

He really is everywhere isn’t he? Chelsea’s timid Player of the Year is one of the confirmed list of players who is bound to go to Russia even if he is competing for a squad brimming with talent from front to back. (So much so that Anthony Martial who would walk into any of the other football side fails to make the cut.)

N’golo is the epitome of a defensive midfielder. His small stature might have helped him in this regard. His acceleration and pace combined with his precise timing to intercept makes him a formidable presence on the pitch and attackers will find it hard to get past him. A master of ‘blindside defending’, he is adept in ‘stealing’ the ball from players feet where they least expect by running through their blindspot. Expect to see him showcase to the world why he is arguably the best defensive midfielder in the world right now.

10)   Olivier Giroud, France, Attacker

The France striker has worked his way into a squad where one might say he should have been a deputy to Chelsea star signing, Alvaro Morata. But in the national side, he have always been France’s main striker in the past few years.

It is no surprise why he is though. His general weakness is his speed which makes him ill-suited to a pacey style of play adopted by most clubs in the Premier League. However, where he lack in pace, he has abundance of attributes which makes him a great striker. Excellent heading skills, great control of the ball and most importantly, an eye for goal with his shooting and positioning skills. He may or may not play all of France’s games as the squad is already brimming with talent, but if he does, do expect some goals from him!

11)   Antonio Rudiger, Germany, Defender

The hustleman who is possibly the best Chelsea signing of the season is also part of the Germany national football team.

He has gradually warmed the hearts of the Chelsea supporters with his gung-ho, no nonsense defending but also his entertaining antics outside the pitch (let’s not forget his FA Cup celebration dance, shall we?). He has some pace and with his current form, he is possibly the best defender in the Chelsea and maybe even Germany’s backline. Expect the same of him in the World Cup!

12)   Victor Moses, Nigeria, Attacker

Victor Moses was the surprise find for Chelsea in their title-winning season last season. Not for the real Chelsea supporters though, as he has always impressed during the pre-season. Moses was initially an attacking winger in the Chelsea side and as a result, was behind on the list for a starting spot behind the likes of Hazard, Willian and Pedro until the introduction of the RWB position. In his new role, he had to learn to defend and ever since his transition, he has made the position his home turf. But for Nigeria though, he will resume his role as an attacking winger.

As an attacking winger, he has pace and good dribbling skills. He is more direct with his running, choosing to run directly at defenders and thus causing them to back off and that sets him apart from his other winger counterparts in Chelsea. If he succeed in his pressing (with the ball), he will be through on goal but if he don’t, against a calm and composed and better positioned defender, he may lose the ball. Expect the same style of play out of him in an exciting Nigerian side!

13)   Kenneth Omeruo, Nigeria, Midfielder

A player Chelsea fans may have forgotten, the 24-year old defender has been playing out on loan at Turkish side, Kasimpasa. Nevertheless, he is still a Chelsea player and will showcase his talent this coming World Cup.

He plays in primarily a centre-back position and is characterised with his sturdy defending and good positioning. If he does well in this World Cup, perhaps Chelsea will recall him on loan. However, it seems ever more likely that he will be sold before the next season commence.

14) Michy Batshuayi, Belgium, Attacker

The spongebob-loving social media banter expert will head to Russia on the back of impressive performances for Borrusia Dortmund while on loan. Although he would most likely appear as back-up to Romelu Lukaku, he may get to showcase his talent as a sub or in an expendable match (if Belgium were to dominate their group).

Batshuayi plays primarily as a target man and tries to get into good positions to score. His hold-up play is decent and he has a strong shot. His weakness, though, may be in his overall contribution to the team as he tends to be the kind of player that other players feed the ball to and he isn't much of a dribbler. He has been scoring goals though, be it by luck or effort, so expect him to score some in the World Cup!