‘Portu-Goa’ warms up to back their boys, in the streets and homes of Goa

Ajit John 

ajit@herald-goa.com

PANJIM: Today Portugal takes on Morocco for a spot in the semi-finals. A match that could be a last shot for Cristiano Ronaldo to win the World Cup. It is a match that means something very special for Goans all over the world. In the State plans are afoot to watch the game in clubs and at home with friends.

Craig Afonso will be watching the game with friends in a club. He said, “It is Portugal and I have to watch it with friends and egg them on”. When asked if Ronaldo should start the game or come in later he said, “The team is much more important than him honestly but one has to remember he is an impact player and I would like to see him start.” 

He felt Portugal would win and they had played great football so far in the tournament and this would continue to take them into the semi-finals. 

Another long time fan Leander Rocha who is visiting from Mumbai intends to sit with friends and watch the game in his hotel room. Leander said, “It should be a good match, the Moroccans have played smart football. It should be very competitive. I would like to see Portugal win and I think they should keep Ronaldo on the bench and introduce him later in the game. The team played very well against Switzerland scoring six goals with him being introduced late in the game.”

The World Cup has been good business for clubs and restaurants in the state. Jude who runs Flamingos said business had certainly picked up now once the tournament had reached the business end. 

Jude said, “Once we reached the round of sixteen, business picked up. We have quite a few bookings tomorrow for the match and we expect the number to increase”. He said everyone was looking forward to a Messi v Ronaldo clash in the finals. Speaking for himself he said he was looking forward to a Portugal win.

Eric Caeiro the man behind The Den Bar and Lounge said they were screening the match from the very start of the tournament. Eric said, “The response has been very good. Some of our customers come for food followed by coffee and they sit and watch the football. There is a crowd for the late match and since we are an indoor outlet we don’t have a problem. We shut by 3 o’clock. It has been good for business.” 

Speaking specifically about the match he said Portugal would win. Eric said, “They are one of my favourite teams. I strongly believe Ronaldo should start the match and ensure pressure is exerted from the start of the game. He is fit and capable of playing ninety minutes.”

Perhaps it would make sense to end with a passionate football fan. Omi, a musician who is a passionate FC Goa fan has been following the fortunes of Portugal from the start of the tournament. He said “There is only Portugal for me. They will win tomorrow. I will watch it with friends in the club. With regards to Ronaldo, yes I believe he should start. He is the talisman of the team. Yes, they scored all those goals against Switzerland. But this is the quarter-finals against a team that has made it their business of surprising the opposition. His presence will ease tensions if any that are felt by the squad. I am hoping for the best.”