What brings a drummer, an emcee, a priest as well as a sarpanch together. A love for football. A game they all played with much passion during their childhood and still do when they find the time. Now as members of the Gaur army they are passionate in their support for FC Goa and keep time aside to support the team in their home and away games.
Xavier Fernandes is travelling along with his wife and son. His daughter who is a singer in a band will not be travelling. Xavier has been travelling with the club for all their home and away games in the past four years has been a passionate follower. He has done atleast 12 from last year. There is a representation from the family at each and every away match. They have travelled to the north east which usually involves flying or Kochi which involves an overnight train journey. The atmosphere whilst travelling together makes for a wonderful experience. The singing and the dancing as well as the sloganeering during the game makes for a great atmosphere. This has also helped make the stadium in Goa a fortress and makes the team very difficult to beat.
The bus from Kadamba Bus Service is part of a special deal struck with the Gaur army whereby the supporters club is given a bus for matches for destinations in nearby states. The club guarantees full booking and this promise has been kept on each and every occasion. For this match to be played in Bengaluru, apart from the 40 odd fans there are several more travelling by train, cars and flights. It is estimated there will be well over a hundred plus fans in the stadium raising a royal ruckus. All this requires someone with special skills to coordinate that everything falls into space before and after the match.
Siddarth Mehta fan and the man behind the Gaur army said there was a lot of coordination that was required for every match. Now with the team toping the table it was important to be present for them at a time when they could feel slightly vulnerable. The coach was given the red card in the second half and will not be present on the side-lines issuing instructions. Asked who was their main player who would drive the team ahead, he said, the entire team was functioning beautifully with the Goan players making crucial contributions. The coordination between the Spanish and the Indian players had improved and the team was benefitting from it all. He said they were waiting for the day when the team would be rightly considered as the champion.
The group in Panjim made for an interesting bunch with men of varying degrees of physical conditioning excited at the prospect of watching their favourite team dish out punishment to another team in the league. One can only wish it works out fine this season with a well-deserved victory at the end of it all.
