Year 2002. Cable TV arrived very late in my hometown Krishnankota (Thrrissur district). For eight years after 1994, when Doordarshan lost the rights to broadcast foreign matches, sports fans wandered abroad. However, when the World Cup starts in Japan and Korea in 2002, there is still concern about where to watch it. Even that is not enough and regular channels like Star and ESPN keep the ball rolling. The rights have been acquired by Ten Sports. But that channel was not wide then. The quest to watch the match conveniently led to the ancient Asan Memorial Library in nearby Annapuzha. Ten Sports is also among the monthly channels on New Television.
The history of Malayali TV viewing is interesting. At first in my country this great box was just a few houses. Starts in black and white 14 inches. And a TV that can be locked like a cupboard. After that color TV, VCP and VCR for accompaniment. NV Neighbors, Proud Owners! Like houses, cinemas have changed to theaters and stadiums. A day and night crowd of family, guests, neighbors and locals, packed to the rafters. Who cares about the homeowner’s inconvenience? People feel entitled to something.
Kerala was like this then. The cartoonist Toms raised this issue through ‘Boban and Molly’. The owner of the house asks the stranger who has come within a foot of the monitor: “Sit down?” And he: “What’s going on here?” In another scene, a man leaving the Sharjah Cup semi-final told house owner Pothan Vakiel: “Friday is between India and Pakistan”. Then the lawyer said: “If he doesn’t come here, what happened between India and Pakistan will happen here.” Many times they have tried to dismiss people by lying that the mains have been switched off and the electricity has gone. But from the point of view of visitors, films, series, commercials, sports, news, why even patriotic songs and interruptions are very entertaining. Rukavat Keliye Khed Hai.. Hey, we have no regrets. They will sit there until the incident is cleared, even if it takes an hour or two. Until then, those families are hostages. For many, TV is a gamma, a high antenna status symbol. This is the television bought once a month to climb the social ladder.
India’s matches in the 1996-97 season were watched in a house with a dish antenna which beat the TV antenna at the Poiya Company. It is a symbol of peria status. All the cricket fans from Poiya, Chenthuruthy, Panthithara and Krishnankota districts are there. Live from Sri Lanka. Sanat Jayasurya is on fire. After winning the 1996 World Cup, it was a difficult time for Lanka to lock down fields in the subcontinent. Sachin, the Indian captain, replaces Azhar. Faded batting form. There is a lack of consistency between Azhar and Jadeja. Newcomers Ganguly, Dravid and Laxman are talented but gaining experience. Kumble, Srinath and Prasad are catching up but not enough runs on the batting scorecard. After the lost run in Asia, India’s tour of South Africa. The game is at night. Crowds in that house in Poiya. The women of that house cannot go out without breaking this ocean of men. The family is respectful. The cricket-loving householder says nothing different to the audience. But everything has a limit.
The West Indies series came to India. With a time difference of ten hours, it is 7:30 PM in India when the match starts in the morning in Kingston and Bridgetown. Cricket addicts in Krishnankota must watch the test match. The house in Poiya is the shelter – ”Chetta Kali Keko?” When the players leave for lunch, the family starts dinner. It’s not a problem for our teams. At last he learned that the family had sold the house.
June 2002. As society’s economy improves, television is becoming more common and prices are falling. With that, the excitement of watching the game together ended. From the perspective of the visiting viewer, there is no thrill in just watching. The family members who have put up with the locals will be relieved. Anyway, trips to find cable TV are a throwback to the nostalgic old days. In Anappuzha library, there are not only young and old people of Krishnankot, but also local residents of Bastin Thurut, Undekadav, Kottapuram, Methala and Thiruvanchikulam. Analysis has already begun in the newspapers. There is no shortage of drama. My team is Brazil, the opponents are Argentina, England, France, Spain, Portugal and Italy. African teams to become dark horses. With the support of home country Korea and Japan.
No one sees a chance for Brazil, who have won the title four times. Four years ago, in 1998, the Yellow Army were the favorites when facing France in the final in Sandeny, Paris. The world was waiting for the crowning of the Canaries leader Ronaldo. But French midfielder Zinedine Zidane had other plans. Unable to bear the pressure, just before the game, Ronaldo, who had an epileptic seizure, was brought back from the hospital and brought to the field. What’s happening? It is still a mystery. The 21-year-old Ronaldo, nicknamed the phenomenon, was at the height of his excellence. Master of speed, ball handling, elegance of movement and field vision. But he fell at a moment when the nation and the world were watching.
It was unthinkable for coach Mario Sagalo to leave without Ronaldo. After a few moments of uncertainty, the less than perfect player was brought on. Having scored four goals in the tournament so far, he was only a shadow in the final. French playmaker Zidane brought the game to life in the first half at home in the blue sea of San Denis. In the 27th minute, Emmanuel Petty’s corner kicked into the box. Zidane’s header moved with the ball in the net, leaving the Brazilian defense led by Carlos and Cafu as spectators. Zidane was on target again just before the break. Another header that deflected the corner into the net. His two goals in the tournament are now worth their weight in gold. Brazil behind! And that too in the final where every second is going to be a furnace. But there’s still 45 minutes left. Not this, but a team with a legacy that has stood the test of time beyond this – we the fans cheer. The Canaries fought back in the second half with midfielder Rivaldo in the middle.
Meaning: Ronaldo! Where is he on the field? The only half chance they had was blocked by French goalkeeper Fabian Barthez with an acrobatic dive. With twenty minutes remaining, coach Zagalo brought on hot forward Edmundo, to no avail. Ronaldo faded, and his teammates drowned. In the last minute, we got up in agony in front of the television as the short-tailed midfielder, Emmanuel Petty, hammered the final nail in the yellow team’s box.
The people of Brazil, who are the lifeblood of football, could not bear that loss. As a national tragedy, the media created the story. Did multi-million dollar sponsor Nike get Ronaldo in trouble? Or a coup? Is the main star in the finals taken down by the opponents with slow poison? Rono’s attitude has caught fire – he doesn’t care about football and hangs out with his girlfriend, he doesn’t have the courage of the greats who have gone before! After months of debate, the government appointed a parliamentary committee to investigate the dynamics that led to the mess. The player has to go to the country’s highest representative house and give an explanation. Will this happen in another country? This is not just a game for Brazil. This is their soul. Without football, they don’t exist. Even after winning the title five times, their hunger will not be satisfied. At the end of the proceedings, an emotional Ronaldo asked: “Why didn’t we win? Because we conceded three goals. In football you win and you lose. How many times have we won? Did anyone ask why did he win? Now that we’ve lost, do we want to make some myths?”
The trial ended there. But Rono’s life was not easy. He went from Barcelona to Inter Milan and Italy’s toughest defenders were waiting for him. After suffering a serious knee injury and months of treatment and rest, he kicked again. This time, the doctor who performed the surgery ruled that he would never walk again.
Meanwhile, Brazil are running through the qualifiers for the next World Cup. Coaches came in succession, but they could not save the team. They even lost to weak Honduras in the Copa America and lost to Argentina and Bolivia in the qualifiers. They need to win the last game by three goals to secure their ticket to Japan. Football is the soul of people who are drowning in shame. The Canaries, the only team in history to play in every final round of the World Cup, looked ready to go out. Lui Philippe Scolari then took over as the new coach. In-form Rivaldo scored twice in Venezuela’s final qualifier before setting up another to send the team through.
With the help of a doctor who gave him hope, Ronaldo slowly recovered his health and began to walk. Trying to regain confidence with less dangerous races. Then strict coach Scolari took a gamble. Rono in the World Cup squad with only 70% fitness, without playing a single qualifying match. Fans are excited. But the game on the world stage is not like scoring a goal in an innocent game. Fight with the best. Is there still a spark left? Was his mind broken along with his body during the persecutions in Italy? Despite the arrival of Ronaldo, experts still see no chance for Brazil. Even if that wasn’t enough, team captain Emerson, who went to Japan, was injured during practice. Is the football god angry? But there is reason to be comforted. In 1994, Dunga replaced captain Rai, who was injured before the first game, and climbed the podium with the cup after a month. Kafu Emerson will take his place in Japan.
The fans in Krishnankota have turned away. That’s the fun, not everyone’s taste is the same. Taking sides is a charm, Congress-Communist, Mammootty-Mohanlal, Brazil-Argentina etc. Supporters and supporters cannot be separated into clear lines. It will change depending on the election, the world cup and the release season (He’s ours! You’ve changed Nick).
Meanwhile, the narrator of Higuita, NS Madhavan said: “My heart says that Argentina will win the title, my mind says that France will win.” I see no chance for Brazil. Coach Scolari made them a foul team. We Will Face It!
In Yokohama, Japan, the ball starts rolling on a grass turf that can be taken apart and placed on another ground after the game. The world is now after this wind-filled sphere. In front of the television in Anappuzha, the noise also rises in the Nadan Stadium. Beckham, Owen, Ballack, Klose, Batistuta, Crespo, Figo, Costa, Zidane, Thierry Henry, Raul, Rivaldo, Ronaldinho, Roberto Carlos. Along with Ronaldo, the crown prince is out to redeem himself. The party has begun! (Continued)
English Summary: Football load part one, FIFA world cup 2022 football
