The Hindu : Kerala News : Fans recollect the best world cup matches

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Jul 12, 2006

Kerala

Kerala

Fans recollect the best world cup matches

They revisit the best matches till the ball begins to roll again in South Africa in 2010

TIME OUT: Supporters of Italy in a jubiliant mood at Ninamvalappu in Kozhikode with a replica of the FIFA Cup. - Photo: S. Ramesh Kurup

The World Cup is over. But the memories will remain. For a long time. And some images we are never to forget.

"For me, the most unforgettable image of this World Cup is that incredible goal scored by Argentina's Esteban Cambiasso against Serbia and Montenegro," says M. Abdul Basheer, the hard-working and talented defender of the State Bank of Travancore (SBT). "That goal was scored after as many as 24 passes, I don't think we will ever see a goal like that."

Actor Sudheesh, who had rightly predicted an Italian victory in the final, says there is one moment he will not forget about this World Cup.

"It happened after the France-Portugal semi-final match," he says.

Captains' conduct

"I liked the gentle way the two captains Zinedine Zidane and Luis Figo treated each other, despite playing a very close match of which the stake was so high."

For Mohammed Aslam, one of the most promising strikers in the State, it's the goal scored by Italy's Alessandro del Piero in the semi-final against Germany that he will remember most about this World Cup. "What a goal, what a finish, Aslam says."

The Kozhikode District Football Association vice president, A.K. Musthafa's favourite World Cup moment is also from the semi-final match between Italy and Germany. "I will always remember Italy's first goal, scored by Fabio Grosso. I cherish it for the sheer timing of the goal," he says. "It was scored with just a minute left of the extra time."

Best save

For SBT goalkeeper Harshal Rahman, the unforgettable image is, not surprisingly, a save. "I thought it was a brilliant effort by Germany's Oliver Kahn to deny Portugal's Deco in the third-place match."

G. Indira, a housewife in Kozhikode, says she will not forget the goal Germany's Miloslav Klose scored in the quarterfinal against Argentina.

"It was not just a splendid goal, but the turning point of the match as well, as the host equalised and took the match to the extra time and won in penalties," she says.

We will cling to memories like these, till the ball begins to roll again in South Africa in 2010.

P.K. Ajith Kumar

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