Kerala Blasters' fans cheer their team on during the game against Delhi Dynamos in Kochi on Sunday. Josekutty PanackalThose who cheered for Kerala Blasters on Sunday were in a fix because while they wanted Blasters to win, they also wanted to see their favourite star and Italian football wizard, Alessandro Del Piero, produce his magic. They were apprehensive that Del Piero, for whom breaking through world-class defences is routine work, would make Kerala's defences look childishly naive.
However, the Kerala team, which focussed on this player, did not allow him much room and therefore his magic did not bloom on the field. In the 66th minute, when Del Piero was getting ready to deliver a free-kick, spectators were already swallowing hard and they expected Blasters' nets to shudder. However, when a ground shot from those legs were collected safely by David James, the gallery heaved a sigh of relief.
When Del Piero was substituted in the 70th minute, he was graciously applauded by football lovers of the land.
People from many parts of Kerala had come to watch the game and they made the event memorable with music and dance. When James gestured to the gallery to up the ante after players lined up before the match, the gallery responded with a flourish and the ensuing applause was thunderous. That was enough motivation for those who had come to enjoy the game to go full out and make it a day to remember.
Iain Hume and Stephen Pierson were most followed by the spectators with their encouragement and each movement of theirs found its echo in the galleries. Even when Blasters seemed to have pulled up a better performance, the lack of goals was the only disappointment at the end of the match.
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