MARGAO
FIFA World Cup 2018 Russua is kicking off on Thursday and South Goa football buffs are eagerly awaiting the biggest football spectacle in the world. Gripped by World Cup fever, giant screens have been set up for fans to enjoy month-long telecast of football matches. Youth and veterans alike are also seen sporting posters and flags of their favourite players and countries in their homes and on vehicles. Brazil, Portugal, Germany and Spain seem to have maximum support among the South Goans.
Assolna-based Angelee D’Silva, student of Maria Bambina Convent High School-Cuncolim, is very happy that the World Cup will start on June 14. The GFDC footballer says “I am supporting Brazil and Neymar is my hero. I feel Brazil have a good team and the last defeat at home will spur them to a win.”
Raymond Fernandes, GFDC coach from Cuncolim, said: “I like the European football teams and their work ethic. Iniesta is my favourite player and I will be supporting Spain. I love the way they play the game and new techniques in the World Cup will help me to impart tips to the younger players.”
Joel D’Sa, student of Rosary High School-Navelim, will be cheering Brazil all the way. The Arlem resident says: “ I like Neymar and along with my father will stay up to watch the matches.”
Vithal Sukhadkar, a journalist and former Dempo Engineering footballer, said: “I started supporting Argentina as a kid becasue I was mesmerised by Diego Maradona. He is the best footballer. What I like about the team is that they bring the South American flavour to the game but are never as heavily supported as Brazil. I have continued supporting then because my two all-time favourites are Maradona and Messi.”
Johnson Almeida , a seaman, is a big fan of Germany’s Thomas Mueller and Joachim Lowe. “For the last 10 years that I have been watching the game, I have always supported Germany as I like the players and their style of play. I faithfully follow the World Cup every four years,” he said.
“I am planning to watch all the important matches and staying awake won’t be much of a problem as I have done it before. In school and college, I have managed to watch the matches and still attend class. This year, I’m hoping to juggle that with work,” he claimed.
Edu Fernandes, a driver by profession, said: “The Goa link with Portugal and their football form makes me support them. Many people love Ronaldo as he is a very skillful player.”
A winger in his school-college football teams, Pritam informed: “Lionel Messi is my favourite player and though I watch the club matches, the World Cup that comes every four years has a charm of its own.”
“I will be going to the sports bar to watch a few matches but mostly I’ll be putting my TV at home to some late night use. My grandmother may not like it much as she likes watching serials till mid-night,” he explained.
For 28-year-old Dinesh Naik, it is Ronaldo and Portugal all the way. The private sector employee said: “I have grown in a house where my brothers have been football fans..I love the entertainment and sportsmanship. .It’s 90 minutes of madness which gives me a kick.”
