FATORDA: The near-empty Nehru Stadium greeted the India U-16 team when they hosted UAE in the AFC U-16 Championship, in Fatorda, on Thursday.
The Nehru Stadium, known for its electrifying fans with flags, banners and loud cheers, during the cash-rich Indian Super League that hosts FC Goa with a seating capacity of 18,000 odd seats, witnessed rather a damp atmosphere with only around 2,000 spectators turning up to cheer their National team.
“It was a shocker to see the empty stadium as I expected it to be full,” said a dejected Izmail Shaikh, following India’s 2-3 loss against UAE.
“I had booked the ticket in advance and arrived quite early at the stadium but when I arrived I was shocked to see that only few turned up to cheer our National team,” added Shaikh.
Though, the stadium almost empty, the few fans did back the team with cheers, every time India won the ball and entered the rival territory.
However, the fans felt that the AFC should have done more marketing of the tournament like that of the ISL, which would bring more fans to the stadium.
“We got to know about AFC only through the local newspapers. AFC should have adapted good marketing strategies to get fans to the stadium,” added Shaikh.
Though, Star Sports are broadcasting the match live on their channel, Nicolai Adam had earlier urged the fans to come and cheer the team in large numbers. Some of the fans feel the same.
“The lads were terrific today though we didn’t have the luck. And I feel if the stadium would have been full and with home crowd support the boys would have surely won the match,” said another fan Aaren Silva.
“It’s a bit surprising that we are not giving the added advantage to the host nation-India, as they very much require us in their journey. And I hope, the stadium will be full to back our boys,” concluded Aaren.
Considering football as the official sport of the State, the locals should come out in large numbers and cheer the lads as they prepare via this tournament for the upcoming U-17 World Cup.
