Always Retain Rationality: A Lesson Re-learnt

by 

SKT Nasar ‘Babul’

My rationality wobbled; then it crumbled. I was sad. Yes, very sad, indeed! It took four hours of dreamful sleep to regain myself. But, I re-learnt a lesson, thanks to FIFA 2014.

  

I watched FIFA-World Cup 2014 final match, Germany versus Argentina. The ceremony had begun at 1210 (Indian Standard Time). I turned off the television at 338 am. This span of time had first excited and then depressed me. My hope and prediction were blasted. Mario Goetze, jersey number 19 and a last minute substitute, rocketed the Brazuka ball with a flashy hit past goalie Sergio Romero into the Argentina goal. The net shook violently at the strike of 113 minutes into the regulation match time. I was devastated.

My personal experience with the game of football spans four generations. My granduncle, the Great Samad aka Football Wizard played for India in international circuits. He mentored my father, the eldest Nasar who played for the state of Bihar. My father, in turn, coached me, a lethargic fatty that I was. I took to refereeing quickly after having played for two universities. I soon shifted to watching the game on field. It has been long now that I began watching football lying on bed since the day my father bought the family’s first television set. Our love for football has now entered the fourth generation. My grandson, Farzaan plays soccer at school in Nashville. My daughter’s six-year son, Aryan, has begun to watch TV football beginning FIFA 2014 season, his couch being my plump body. My past and present encounters with the game either on grassy field or in a cosy bed made me love football. But this morning I was in love with Argentina. I abandoned my first love, football and fell infatuated with another love, the Argentina football team. I wonder if it is infidelity!

I also wonder why billions around the world are supporters of non-European and non-North American teams rather than being lovers exclusively of football-the-game. Many among us have double loyalty, with game and also the preferred team.

My love narrowed down for Brazil and Argentina once the teams of our own subcontinent were purged out of WC 2014, one by one. And, when Brazil was defeated 1-7 by Germany, my faithfulness focused on Argentina. Such attitude is likely to be because we detest the supposed torture perpetrated for over two centuries on most of the world by white sahibs. Our resentment finds expression through the game of football. But, the Brazuka, the official match ball of FIFA 2014 games, is innocent, after all. The poor ball is there only to be kicked left foot and right foot through the tournament. The Brazuka ball deserves sympathy, not antagonism! 

My and Aryan’s preferred team, Argentina, had begun the match in style and harmony. It belied two hypotheses, that Argentinean defence was weak, and that Latin American football was lesser in substance than European football. The ‘goal’ by Gonzalo Higuain was brilliant but for the off side. The team appeared tired, especially during the extra time. The much awaited magic by Lionel Messi was waning as the goalless match progressed into extra time.

My grandson Farzaan’s favourites, Germany, played its own game of enviable teamwork. It maintained extraordinary pace between the first and the last whistles. Miroslav Klose was close to nothing remarkable. The Germans failed to penetrate Argentinean defence. Germany cashed on just one laxity by the tired Argentina. And, goal! It was brilliant football.

The match was a treat to watch. Both teams deserve congratulations. On the whole Argentina played a notch better but failed to maintain its sting till the end. Germans displayed exemplary fitness. They maintained their prowess, and deservedly won! The game of football triumphed.

The lesson I re-learnt is that one should love the game even while being in love with playing teams. And, one must always hold on to rationality, be it the game of football or be it the game of life!

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