22 Oct 2017 | 06:23am IST
Goan fans delighted to watch youngsters display excellent brand of soccer
England’s Brewster scores hat-trick as the Europeans get the better of Americans
PANJIM: Goan fans lived up to the expectations and turned out in large numbers to witness the last FIFA U-17 World Cup match at the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, Stadium, Fatorda.
Saturday’s last-eight clash between two football friendly nations — England and USA — was attended by 16,148 — the highest recorded at the venue so far, wherein the European side won 4-1 to end USA’s dream run in the contest.
A perfect, entertaining and fitting goodbye Goa could give to the FIFA U-17 World Cup! The tournament has raised the bar of level of football witnessed in the State and the football fans have expressed their satisfaction over the quality of football they got to witness in Goa.
“This worldwide event is happening in Goa and it's great feeling for us! This will help to improve football in Goa and our country. I have watched five matches before here, but today's crowd is tremendous! The atmosphere is simply amazing. You just can’t compare the quality of football. It’s rare to watch such football,” expressed Milind Naik, NRI Commissioner, who is also the Mormugao MLA.
It was no surprise that the clash would receive such turnout considering the fact, Goans interest towards the English football. Goa has huge fan following the English clubs and this was the perfect opportunity for many fans to spot their club’s future talent, which had stars from Chelsea, Manchester City, Manchester United and Liverpool.
Surely Rhian Brewster, the hat-trick hero on Saturday, will be remembered by the Goans for his terrific display against USA.
“It's was a great atmosphere here. The crowd lived up to the expectation and the teams played good football. I was impressed with the young talented Brewster and Foden. I don't think I will get a chance to watch these youngsters play here again anytime soon,” said Bernard Mascarenhas, an English football fan from Calangute.
Another football fan, Anjela Raj from Utorda, who attended all the previous matches at the venue revealed that the chances to watch such football again in the State would be rare and said, “Frankly speaking, the quality of football is much higher and better than what I imagined earlier. We can’t even compare this quality to Indian football or ISL. These 17-year-olds are very talented. Though we are Brazil fans, we were backing England tonight.”
Goa did grab their final chance to watch the world class football! Thankfully the police, volunteers and other ticket holders turned good Samaritans as they passed on extra tickets to the enthusiastic and eager crowd waiting outside the gates in a hope of making it in to the Stadium.
