SHILLONG: It is often said that football is not a matter of life and death, it is far more important than that. Whatever it is, the Beautiful Game is a passion, which explains why thousands of fans gathered at Khyndailad to watch the semifinals of the World Cup despite the 1:30am start.
A giant screen has been set up on the grounds of the old Assembly building in the centre of the city for the last-four stage, third-place playoff and the grand final.
The event has been organised at the initiative of the Sports & Youth Affairs Department
The first semifinal saw Germany trounce Brazil on what was a thoroughly wet night in Shillong, but the next day’s match between the Netherlands and Argentina was a completely different affair.
The weather was fine in the Pine City, but the action went on until dawn began to break as the Argentines only won the game on penalties, with most of the crowd sticking it out until the finish.
The World Cup Fan Fest is a popular concept the world over and it has proven a draw in Shillong, too, where thousands have gathered to celebrate the fun in good spirit. A DJ was on hand to provide music during the breaks and food stalls were set up to help keep the public well fed with barbecue chicken among other delights.
A strong police presence also kept an eye on the boisterous crowd and there were no untoward incidents reported during the event.
Spectators favouring Argentina seemed to make up the majority on the Thursday morning match and they were definitely the louder bunch.
While the game did not offer that much in the way of goals, the two penalty saves from Argentina goalkeeper Sergio Romero were wildly cheered and applauded, while the Dutch fans were rendered mute.
It was a rather anticlimactic end to what was otherwise a tense battle between the two sides, but the fans of the Albiceleste celebrated their team’s victory all the same.
One fan of the South Americans, John Hynniewta, admitted to feeling nervous as the game wore on.
“I was nervous towards 90 minutes and 120 minutes because one goal from Holland would give them victory. But Argentina defended well and Sergio Romero was our hero,” he said. “I firmly believe we can win the World Cup.”