KOCHI: Even the most hardened football fans could not have imagined India playing in a world cup and Kochi playing host to international matches. Now, their dreams are coming good with the FIFA Under-17 World Cup, and fans in Kerala can hardly contain their excitement, albeit a small disappointment that India will not be playing in front of them.
“If this does not help improve Indian football, then God alone knows what will. FIFA will want the game to thrive in this part of the world to tap its huge market potential. Yes, limiting the number of spectators to 29,000 is a disappointment. Nevertheless, hosting the world cup matches is a huge thing,” said M. Subash Balan, a techie at Infopark and a hardcore football fan who was once a qualified referee.
Arjun Menon, a city-based chartered accountant, said the world cup had a heft that will drive up excitement to new heights. “People should count themselves fortunate to be witnessing a Brazil-Spain face-off in their own backyard,” said Arjun, who will be watching all games except the opening day duels.
Being from football-mad Malappuram, Shaheen Latheef hardly needs lessons on how to follow the game.
“Somehow, the Under-17 World Cup matches did not initially capture my imagination and by the time it did, it was a tad late,” he said.
The software developer from Palarivattom is now in a frenetic pursuit of tickets.
Liyons Jose, who runs a firm at Edappally, has little doubt that the world cup dwarfs all other sporting events hosted by the city thus far. “It is a privilege for the city which should be celebrated,” he said. Farsighted, he booked tickets for the opening day matches and the quarter final months in advance and is now confident of grabbing tickets for the rest of the games as well.
Saeed Muhammed from Vazhakkala can hardly sit in peace in Bengaluru where he works as a marketing executive.
He has asked his friends back home to somehow find tickets for some matches for him to come down and watch. “The world cup will add to the motivation levels of budding footballers in the city.
“It will convince the players that hard work will take them to the next level, and some of them will muster confidence to pursue the game professionally,” he said.
