The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : Crowd savours India’s win over Myanmar

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Friday, Aug 08, 2008
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Crowd savours India’s win over Myanmar

V.V. Subrahmanyam

Spectators remain undeterred by the rain

-PHOTO: P.V. SIVAKUMAR

For the love of the game: The AFC Challenge Football being played in slushy conditions with ankle deep water in the Gachibowli stadium on Thursday.

HYDERABAD: It was a sight which every one of the 1,500-odd spectators at the GMC Balayogi Stadium enjoyed. Except for the Myanmar footballers and their coach who described the game as being more similar to rugby than football. Apparently, India’s solitary goal win over them in the semi-final of the AFC Challenge Cup championship on Thursday evening was hard to digest for them. But, it was certainly a moment to cherish for the local crowd.

The heavy downpour almost right through the match did not dampen the spirits of the fans, who waved tri-colour flags and cheered the Baichung Bhutia-led Indian team.

They lent their lung-power to the optimum, enjoying every bit of the game. Exactly the ambience which India’s chief coach Bob Houghton was looking for to spur his players

It also turned out to be the best crowd so far despite the inclement weather.

“It did not matter whether it is raining or not for us. The Indian victory is more important for us and we are glad to be part of a great moment,” says Basetti Shiva Prasad, a football fan. For the purists, however, it was not a pleasant sight what with the venue turning into a marshy strip – literally.

The fans seemed to savour the key moment of the match - when India emerged the winner thanks to Sunil Chhetri’s header towards close. The celebrations in the stands them was palpable.Come Sunday, when India plays in the final, the crowd can be much bigger to cheer the home team.

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