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"In Love With Soccer"

Post on: October 18, 2019

The year was 1979 and the soccer craze was gaining momentum among my school chums. I jumped on the bandwagon when my primary four classmates were drumming up interest for the impending FA Cup Finals being played between Arsenal and Manchester United. It was my initiation into the world of soccer — I chose Manchester United and watched the match which was religiously followed by everyone in my Redhill estate. It was my maiden match and there was no turning back….

The match was a nailing biting one which many deemed the most dramatic FA Cup finals ever. Arsenal won the intense match. Nevertheless, I was spellbound by United’s tenacity and never-say-die attitude together with their flair. That eventful day marked my love for Manchester United and the Beautiful Game – a sport which defied all discriminations and unified people.

Why do grown-up men cry after watching their team lose a match? It defies logic and we are just as baffled; however, we bring you 7 reasons why we love soccer…

1. It can be played anywhere with a creative mind.
You do not need expensive equipment or attire to play the game. And leather balls are not a prerequisite – in the kampung where I grew up, the kids use the plastic ball and played at the basketball court or any make-shift area. We played barefoot, using our slippers as the goalpost and performed with the same gusto as we did on the proper field with our boots on.

2. A team sport where one can showcase individual flair.
Soccer is a game which requires a team effort and the coach maps out the strategy for every match based on many factors which include the opponent’s strength and weaknesses. However, the beauty of it all is that individuals play a big role in tandem with the team effort. We all marvel how the wizardry Maradona can change the outcome of a match singlehandedly in a glimpse of magic.

3. Club loyalty
Fans do not change allegiance in a whim of the moment. On the contrary, we stand by our team through thick and thin. And when our team don’t perform to expectations, fans may demand the mangers to be axed but changing teams is unthinkable. And sometimes it gets overboard where passion takes the better of the die-hard fans. I’ve known people who brood over the whole week when their team loses a match.

4. World Cup
Soccer presents us the World Cup – the greatest show on earth! Once every four years, soccer fans give ourselves up to this event. Never mind we lose sleep watching the “live” matches being telecast in the wee hours of the morning. Never mind families have to postpone their June holiday trips just to accommodate the matches. Never mind we have to skip going to functions so as not to miss the Brazilian Samba in action… the World Cup takes precedence over most of our programmes.

5. Family bonding time
Soccer is a game which brings the family together. In some homes, the kids don’t get to choose which team they support. During their toddler days, fathers would buy their kid’s club jersey according to the team they want their offspring to support. Thus, begins a journey of lifetime devotion…. I am not surprised to learn that my niece supports Liverpool since her dad lives and breathes everything Liverpool. And in homes where siblings support rival teams, the fun begins as well – in a different form.

6. Everybody can play the game
In some sports like wrestling and rugby, you need to be a tough cookie to participate. In basketball, it would be advantageous if you are tall. Moreover, core strength and balance are usually required for an aspiring gymnast. However, enthusiasts in all shapes and sizes can play soccer – the only prerequisite is the love for the game. Ronaldo is a powerhouse with great agility with his imposing physique while Messi has a modest frame in comparison. They both rule the soccer fraternity and it speaks volumes that any physical build can excel in the game.

7. It does not discriminate
Soccer transcends race, religion and bigoted views which some people hold. It is a beautiful game which brings people together. Although sometimes, rival fans mock players from opposing teams, the soccer federations take a strong view of this, imposing remedial actions – such chauvinistic practice has no place in the world’s most decorated sport.

People watch or take part in sporting activities to unwind or awaken the passion in them. Most sports offer such an avenue; however, I feel soccer stands out as it appeals to the masses in its simplicity and beauty. “Soccer is like a poem, you write it with your soul and heart, but you say it with your feet,” Chris Castillo.

By: Shaji Thomas Varughese

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