World Cup and Goans
Adelmo Fernandes
It happens once in every four years. It’s a time when the world gets glued to the most popular sport played on the face of the earth. Yes the FIFA World Cup is back and right from 12 June when the ball will be kicked for the first time in the 2014 World Cup till July 14 when the final long whistle will be blown the entire world will be united by the game of football. The talk at the office, at the market square and at home will be centered around football. Of course in Goa the fortunes of the competing countries will be discussed threadbare at the local bars and the taverns and at the tinto. Goans love football just like they love fish-curry rice and feni.
Goans have by and large supported Portugal in the past. Portugal should also be considered hot favourites with the FIFA Ballon D’Or winner Ronaldo in their ranks. This time too it won’t be different. But then there are also several Goans who do support Spain and Brazil. Goans are a soccer crazy people. They will stay put in front of the television sets even late into the night as the World Cup unfolds itself. The football fever has already caught up with the Goans. This is seen by the sale of World Cup merchandise at the sports shops. Of course some die-hard Goan football fans will be going to Brazil to watch the World Cup matches. Others will be glued to the TV sets or watching the football magic unfolding on the giant screen.
All said and done it will be a month when the entire world will witness magical football skills from the best in the business.
