Pune: The Indian Super League (ISL) match between FC Pune City and Kerala Blasters FC here on Thursday might have saddened the home fans (as the hosts lost 1-2, but there were few whose adrenaline rush got them going till the dying minutes.
“I wish I could go out in the middle and kick the ball. Do we have the permission to do that? I am not sure,” said one to the other.
The group kept waving the purple flag throughout, right from the kick off to the presentation ceremony, when the stadium was empty.
No, they were not team officials or remotely related to marquee player David Trezeguet or co-owner Hrithik Roshan. The group comprised working professionals from England, Australia, New Zealand and United States (US). Yes, you read that right, they were foreigners, flabbergasted to see football in India.
“I’m from Liverpool. I have witnessed many games back there at Anfield. It is nice to see some familiar faces here in India, for example, David James (who spent seven years as Liverpool custodian),” said Graham Cousins, one among the group.
Cousins also believed that fans in India are disciplined and cultured. “Back there, the spectators tend to get aggressive, here they are happy dancing to drum beats and Hindi songs,” he said, adding: “Even we are fascinated to see a game of soccer in such a musical surrounding.”
(Photo: DC)
“I really wish to watch Steven Gerrard donning an Indian team jersey when he retires,” said Cousins.
Rick Palma, his colleague from Australia, compared Indian football to that of his native land. “I think football in India is like Australia currently. It is developing. We might have played the World Cup but our team is not yet upto the mark,” he said.
Talking about ISL, he said he was impressed the way the Indian players were tackling greats like Trezeguet and challenging veterans like James.
“The tournament is still in its early stage but I think it promises a lot in the future,” he added.
So what made them support FC Pune City and not any other team in the tournament?
“We are in Pune for work, it has been almost three weeks. So why be disloyal to the city we are living in? Hence, Pune all the way,” said Palma, who had the purple flag round his neck.
