Kochi: Football-crazy Kochi on Friday braced to become part of history with the country hosting the FIFA competition for the first time as tickets for all eight matches to be held here were sold off by noon. Several sports enthusiasts from across the state, who could not get online tickets, were seen making a last-minute effort to watch one of the most anticipated showdowns of the Under-17 World Cup tournament– the match between South American champions Brazil and European qualifying tournament winners Spain, to be held on the opening day on Saturday at the Kaloor Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium.
“Obviously, we’ll be backing the host team India. However, diehard Malayali fans will cheer for the Brazil team. We’ve bought tickets for all the matches to be held here. We went to the Maharaja’s College ground to see the Spain team practising. The quality of the game will be on a higher note and that’s what is kicking out our spirits,” said R.Y. Giridhar, an entrepreneur from Malappuram, who is a fan of Manchester United Club. However, the crowd may not be as loud as that during the ISL matches with local organizers and cops enforcing strict security norms that include allowing just 29, 000 spectators and a ban on items like drums.
The city police enforced tight vigil on the stadium and its premises from Friday itself by deploying nearly 500 personnel there. Meanwhile, Sports and Youth Affairs Minister A. C. Moideen inaugurated the concluding ceremony of the torch rally and ball run rallies, held to popularize the Under-17 World Cup at Durbar Hall ground on Friday evening.
