Thursday, July 15, 2010

SUMMER OF '86


So, the World Cup is finally over! The stylish Spaniards won deservedly over the obdurate Oranje team, and we got our share of thrills, spills and ills.

But being a true-blue-and-yellow fan of Samba soccer, my personal passions ended when Brazil lost in the quarterfinals. Never mind the fact that they were hardly playing the beautiful game, being a total and staunch Brazil fanatic, I just wanted them to win. And I love Dunga! He (and Romario, and Bebeto, and Roberto Carlos and Cafu and of course, Taffarel the goalie, and the rest of the 1994 team) gave me one of my best and most stomach-clenching, nail-chewing sporting memory, when Brazil lifted the coveted cup after a penalty shoot-out win over Italy.

My tryst with Brazil and football started in 1986. It was a long summer, and vacation-time, and my brother and I were staying at my Pishir Bari (aunt's house) in Kolkata. Pishimoshai (my aunt's husband) took us all along to the electronics shop to buy a new colour TV in honour of the World Cup.

And so I met the Brazilian team in all its blue and gold glory on the EC TV screen, playing the French Les Blues, who had the curly-haired Platinni. But it was the Brazilians who mesmerized my young teenage mind. With their sinuous moves and fluent passing and masterful dribbling Brazil easily scored a goal in my heart. I had never seen this kind of scintillating football before, so full of motion and flow and art and grace and joy. Pele was a hoary name in black-and-white record books whose wizardry I saw and learnt of later. The 1986 Brazil boys made me fall in love with their brand of football flair and made me a convert forever!

Never mind the fact that their defence and goalkeeping was so atrocious as to be non-existent. Never mind the sad, sad fact that the dashing Zico and the sagacious Socrates both missed penalties. Never mind the fact that Brazil lost, again in the quarterfinals. Never mind the fact that 1986 was the year of Maradona, his magic, miracles and mischievous Hand of God.

For me, my heart began to beat and will always beat for Brazil.

8 comments:

Swaram said...

I ws supporting Germany this time, though my heart ws beating for Messi and only Messi ;)
The final did nt seem like one this time around :( :(

Lazyani said...

Yes, Brazil remains an all time favourite.

I remember 1986 for Maradona, but Brazil meant football --always. Almost like WI in cricket!

This year the world cup was like Biryani without salt-- salt being the x-factor which creates folklore each year.

NR said...

Whichever team i supported that sadly lost....sigh!!

seana graham said...

Well, I'm not much of a soccer fan, but it's good to see a new post from you.

Nona said...

:) Hope they rebound in another 4 years!

Roshnai Chaudhuri said...

Like most Bengalis, my World Cup this year ended with the exodus of Brazil and Argentina. The usual East Bengal - Mohun Bagan fracas changes colour at the Soccer World Cup. It was sad to see the 'para' flags of the favoured South American nations going down.

Rajesh said...

For me it is Argentine. When I first started following the game Maradona was the start attraction. Since then it has been Argentine all the way.

Anonymous said...

I do not have interest for football but If I am correct I love Brazil team maybe because Pelé - The legend is from Brazil And nobody is yet as good as him maybe.