21 Oct 2017 | 05:35am IST
Goa’s crowd turnout ranks lowest among 6 venues of the U-17 World Cup
Today could be the last time Goans will see a World Cup match in the State; Empty stands during the previous matches raise question on turnout as England clash with USA for a semi-final spot
PANJIM: With football’s October fest coming to an end in Goa, Saturday is the last chance for a Goan to watch a World Cup match being played in the State. Luckily, for Goan fans, it is between football powerhouse England and upcoming USA.
The clash will feature some of the most talented youngsters currently playing in England’s big gun club academies. Manchester City’s Phil Foden and Curtis Anderson, Manchester United’s Angel Gomes will feature in the English side while USA will boast their PSG youth team player Tim Weah.
Spectators would agree to the fact that Goa won’t get to watch such high intensity matches in the near future — definitely not anytime soon. Talent, good football —Fatorda had them both, minus the excitement on the stands.
Sadly, while the future football stars ran down the field displaying their skills and catching the eye of the scouts and coaches, what was disheartening to see were the empty stands throughout the group stage matches, as well as the two round of 16 matches at the Nehru Stadium.
“The tournament featured great teams which played quality football. However, I was surprised to see such a low turnout at the stadium. Goans missed some quality football. I hope fans turn out in large numbers for Saturday’s quarter-final clash as it’s their last chance to witness the football of highest quality they would ever get to watch in the state,” Menino DSouza, a resident of Vasco, who attended all the FIFA matches at the stadium, said.
To make it worse, for a State which had declared football as its official sport, the 19,000-odd seating
capacity stadium has had on an average the lowest crowd turnout and is currently ranked last in the six venues list in the current tournament.
The Fatorda Stadium had an average turnout of 11,000-odd spectators, which is below Guwahati and Kochi. (Kolkata has an average attendance of 50k while Delhi seconds the list with 35,000-odd spectators).
“It’s sad to see the empty stands. People should come and watch these matches. They U-17 boys are anytime better than any of our ISL teams and can challenge them. Goa missed the opportunity to watch and witness quality football despite hosting the World Cup,” said a senior Salgaocar FC official speaking on the condition of anonymity.
“The tickets were always sold out. Probably the empty stands were of the people who had the free passes with them. The passes should have been given to football enthusiasts instead to those who wasted them. It was disappointing to see the empty stands. I doubt in future, looking at the poor response from the crowd, the State will be considered to host such high-profile matches keeping in mind India’s aim of bidding for the FIFA U-20 World Cup,” said another passionate football fan, Briden Andrade.
There’s one last chance to make it for the quarter-final match. It has been learnt that in a bid to accommodate more fans at the stadium in the final phase, the local organising committee has recalled some of the complimentary passes in Goa and other states, which would be put up for sale for the last match. Tickets will be available for sale at the ticket counter at Fatorda, as the State football lovers get a final opportunity to witness a World Cup match.
