With both favourites crashing out, the former Portuguese colony has been left high and dry.
PANAJI: When Zinedine Zidane a.k.a. zizou put paid to Portugal's World Cup dreams on Thursday, football fans in the former Portuguese colony were shattered. For most Goans, there was nothing left in the World Cup to look forward to.
Across the state, there has been a frenzy of football with fans keeping awake to watch the football action.
The monsoon-special power disruptions and the foibles of cable operators notwithstanding, football has really been the flavour of the season.
Former international striker Camilo Gonsalves said, "Brazil left all of us wounded but the party continued because I was hoping Portugal would create history by winning the World Cup for the first time ever. Now I'll have to wait another four years for one of my favourite teams to win."
"As far as I am concerned, Portugal was the better team and deserved to win. But luck favoured France," says Bernard Sierro, owner of Bernard's Place, a pub in Baga. He likes Portugal and has visited Portugal and Macau, a former Portuguese colony. He put his money on Portugal also because he believed the coach, Luiz Felipe Scolari, had the Midas touch.
For most Goans, dejection set in when Brazil and Portugal lost. One fan looking forward to the final is Peter Vaz, owner of Sporting Club and NFL team. "Italy was always my favourite and now I think it will definitely win the World Cup," he says.
Vaz flew to Germany for 10 days to catch the soccer action. "I watched three of Portugal's matches and I caught the Brazil Vs Australia action. What a feast because Portugal and Brazil can really play football," he exulted.
Among those disappointed with Portugal's exit is Francis D'Souza, former international player and currently a Sports Authority of India coach. "Goans root for Portugal because like Brazil they can perform magic with their feet unlike other teams which just kick the ball around. Their hopes are shattered."
But unlike Joao de Sousa of Vasco who stopped watching the World Cup after Brazil's exit, Francis says, "I am a footballer with a passion for the game and its intricacies. I will watch the rest of the matches to observe and learn."
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}