It is proving to be a cracker of a World Cup in Brazil.
There are goals galore. There are huge shocks, with the reigning champion going out after just two games. And there have been several riveting matches, in the preliminary stage itself.
The city is enjoying every moment of what has been a remarkably entertaining World Cup.
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Not only have a large number of goals – 66 in 23 games – been scored, but there have been some absolute beauties, too.
“My favourite goal of this World Cup so far is the one scored by Robin van Persie of Holland against Spain; it was a stunning header,” says Munna Hassan, a B.Com. (final year) student at JDT Islam College of Arts & Science who also plays in the Kozhikode district football league. “Holland now looks the team most likely to win the Cup. My favourite game is the one between England and Uruguay.”
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For K.V. Prabeena, a housewife, the Australia-Holland match has been the most enjoyable one.
“It was a thrilling game,” she says. “My favourite goal is the one Lionel Messi scored for Argentina against Bosnia-Herzegovina. I also liked the goal scored by Gervinho for Ivory Coast against Colombia. Holland and Germany seem to be the main contenders for the title now.”
Schiller Jose, an orthopaedic surgeon who specialises in sports medicine, was disappointed to see Holland thrash Spain, a team he had predicted would triumph four years ago in South Africa, when most of the city was rooting for Brazil and Argentina.
He has just come back after a two-week tour of France.
Better than the French?“I did not see France as excited about the World Cup as Kozhikode,” says Dr. Schiller. “I think Germany is the best team in this World Cup. The Italy-England game has been the most exciting one so far. My favourite goal is the one headed by van Persie.”
Australian Tim Cahill’s goal against Holland tops the list of Abu Dhabi-based businessman K.P. Harris, who watches the World Cup every time in the city, with his friends and relatives.
“My favourite match till now is the Uruguay-Costa Rica one,” he says.
Still the favourite“Though Brazil has not begun well, I believe they could still challenge Holland and Germany, the two best sides in the competition.”
Yes, Brazil remains a favourite with the city.