FIFA World Cup 2054
Today is 12th July, 2054. Everybody was waiting for today’s day. India has finally made it to football World cup’s finals & will be playing Brazil, the hosts. For the first time in history, Indians needed not to adopt any other team as they had their own to root for.
Football world cup has returned to Brazil after a span of 40 years. Last time it held here in 2014. I look back & see how much has changed in these 40 years — I was 35 then & today woo-oh I’m a 75 years oldie…how time flies. I never thought I’ll be alive to see India playing in Football world cup & that too in the finals. In those years India was lowly 154 in FIFA ranking & couldn’t even qualify for Asia Cup. But then…things changed gradually. Introduction of Indian Super League was probably the cornerstone in India’s Football History. Before that, people used to be enamored by cricket & that stupid IPL but betting scandals, too much glamour, cheating and not so universal appeal of cricket forced people to embrace an alternate sport. Today, ISL is one of the most respected leagues in the world. It’s ‘Thoka Thaki’ kind of football is still an enigma for Europeans & Latin Americans. Its Mumbai team had won the Champions trophy in 2052…& what a day that was…but today is multiple times bigger.
I am a bit annoyed that the match will be played at 1.30 am. It doesn’t suit in this age to be awake at those ungodly hours. But the match has to be seen…I’ll miss my Yoga & will have to live with that stupid headache which approaches me whenever I stay late…anyways. My grandson is coming to see this match on my new SUPER ULTRA SMART STUB (SUSU) system. Well these SUSUs are replacement of those giant TVs. It’s a card like device which is controlled by a phone app. These stubs expand & become screens on a touch of a button — you can choose the size from 5 inch to 120 inches as per your choice/location/mood. Today-I’ll use it to its maximum of 120 inches. My 13th Generation 100 Tbps internet connection will handle the live 7D streaming on SUSU. Flipkart delivered the stub in only 30 minutes through one of their rapid drones. I make a note in my mind to write a positive review. I thought even Flipkart should be thankful to me for being a loyal customer for now 40+ years. Customers like me have made them a $500 Bn company after-all.
Grandson & daughter have arrived; her hubby couldn’t come as he’s overseas. I caught my daughter reprimanding my grandson for getting low grades in his exams. She was all of 3 years old & today she’s scolding her own young son. I am feeling so nostalgic today.
“Grandpa, Will you have a Beer??”, my grandson’s whispered a question stalling my chain of thoughts.
“You got my one”? I asked him back recovering.
“Yeah, I got Beera for you. You like that…right”, He replied.
“Good — You are the man”, I winked happily.
“You drink in limit otherwise it will raise your blood sugar and BP”, my wife shouted from the bedroom reminding me of my sugar & BP problems, gifts that come with old age. I wondered how she could hear our conversation. But then wives can. I remained mum as my daughter & wife, who have zero interest in football will soon fast asleep & I can have my heart’s way.
Soon it was 1 am. My wife and my daughter were snoring. My grandson laid out two beer mugs, a plate of Masala Nuts, some Namkeen & we were ready for the night of our life.
Commentators were discussing team line-ups.
1) Indian captain Ram Lakhan’s handsome face filled the whole screen. Known as ‘ram’ for ramming the opposition, he plays for Mumbai team. Nobody ever thought a simple, poor guy from a distant village of Haryana will be one of the highest paid sportsmen in the globe.
2) Next is Suresh Ratnakar Lele, this Ratnagiri born is better known as ‘Lele’ after his surname. He is considered as Indian equivalent of Pele & is one of the contenders for Golden Boot in this world cup.
3) Futbal Singh — 6'4" sardar from Bhatinda. His parents wanted him to be a football player & nothing else hence the name. Famous for his header goals, opposition shadows him especially when corner is given in his team’s favor.
4) Sischung Bhutia — One of the greatest midfielder. Football runs in his blood as his grandfather was also a well-known Indian footballer of his time.
5) Koshy ‘Kala’ Thomas — He represents Kerala Blasters in ISL. ‘Sachin Tendulkar’ of Indian Football, this 37 year old wants to retire with world cup in his hand. He is called ‘Kala’ given his complexion.
6) Babbaruddin Owaisi — ‘Babar’ is one of the fastest sprinters. Known for his inherited aggression off & on the field, this Hyderabadi plays for Real Madrid in La liga.
7) C.R. Annaswamy — ‘Anna’ is known for deceiving the opponent through his dribble. People say if yesteryear’s superstar Rajinkant would have played — he would have played like ‘Anna’.
8) Shailendra Bose — ‘Boss’ is shrewd defender. He’s is considered aloof and arrogant hence named ‘Boss’. Brazil’s Ronaldo once said ‘Boss’ has saved more goals than India has ever done. Bose plays for Manchester United.
9) Dhirendra Yadav — ‘Yadav’ is another promising young defender. He used to milk buffaloes in Lalu Yadav’s farmhouse. Once a buffalo was reluctant in giving milk, way then 8 year old ‘Yadav’ handled the ‘balls’ impressed 100 yr old Lalu & rest as they say is history.
10) Dil Bahdur — ‘Bahadur’ is probably one of the most ‘normal’ players of this team. Ever smiling, this ‘Uttra-khandi’ has a reputation of having least yellow cards as a defender. He never got a red card in his life.
11) Arjun Gandhi — 34 year old Indian goalkeeper is son of Rahul Gandhi. With Italian, Indian & Columbian blood in him, he is considered as world’s safest goalkeeper. He gets in loads what his father couldn’t get — Vote of love of Indian Public.
Indian Coach — Lionel Messi — 67 year old Argentine is one of the most famous strikers of all time. He is coaching Indian team for last 5 years & widely credited for India’s astonishing success. He introduced Indian team to ‘Tiki Taka’ which Indians later turned into their own famous style of ‘Thoka Thaki’.He will probably be awarded Bharat Ratna if India wins this world cup.
Commentators keep on discussing the other team members, though this team is famous for not relying on substitutes. Brazil’s team had Neymar Junior II (son of former star), Ronaldo (again son of former star), Lucas, Gabriel, Matheus, Leonardo (Goal keeper), Bruno, Pedro, Caio, Romero & Nunez.
Teams opted for customary photo shoots. Indians in their tri-colored jerseys with saffron & green dominating. Brazil in their sunshine yellows & greens.
Both teams assembled for their National Anthems. ‘Jan Gan Man’ started playing & I started standing up, my rickety knees crackled thanks to the knee replacement surgery I’d undergone 2 years ago…I took support of my chair & stood up. For next 50 odd seconds it was a feeling of proud, excitement, anticipation & a bit of fear. I went to pee thereafter, it took me some while & I cursed my prostrate for that. Old age gives you so many troubles…but I still thanked God to be alive…majority of people from my generation have gone to heaven (though most of them deserved hell I guess…I smile wickedly on this thought)
Play has already started when I came back. My grandson was all excitement…not able to sit on his chair but looking at the screen standing. I looked at the screen. Lele was rallying the ball. A lot of Indian supporters could be seen chanting, “Lele, Lele, Brazil ki tu aaj lele”. It has sort of become an anthem for Indian supporters. Country’s name changed from Spain to Italy to Argentina etc…Today’s its Brazil.
A lot of celebrities were also making their presence felt — Meherban Khan (Son of Salman Khan), Satbir Kapoor (son of Ranbir & Katrina Kapoor), Saifeena Khan (daughter of Saif & Kareena), Sumer Singh (son of Ranveer Singh & Deepika Padukone) & a lot more.
I sipped my beer & put a nut in my mouth. It’s been 4 minutes since match started.
Babar delivered a dangerous shot. Lele took the pass on his right footed & sprinted towards the goal. He shot it from the flank. Leonardo did an ultimate save from close range. Leonardo kicked the ball into mid stadium. Neymar headed the ball & passed it to Ronaldo. Ronaldo started dribbling it & passed it further to Lucas. India’s Bahadur cut the pass in between & kicked it for long pass to Ram. Ram further passed it to Lele who was nearer to the goal. Lele took a stance, made a position & dispatched the ball towards Leonardo. Leonardo was expecting it on his right but Lele’s shot went to the left & deep inside the goal.
It’s a goal….OH MY GOD…it’s a goal for India in 8th minute of the match. Can you believe it? Can you believe it??? Lele did his celebration dance & everybody went over him. A hush has fallen on the ground…host team supporters were definitely not expecting this. My grandson shouted & gave me a big High Five.
Meherban Khan took his shirt off, showed off his body & danced in jubilation. Old inherited habits die hard.
India -1, Brazil -0.
Brazil team became aggressive after the drubbing. Their attacks increased, star strikers Neymar & Ronaldo kept on attacking Indian goal post but Bahadur, Yadav & Boss tackled them well. There were only 2 direct attempts at goal which Gandhi took care of perfectly.
Match entered into its 35th minute when Matheus passed the ball to Neymar who was just standing outside the goal area. Neymar positioned himself & with a lightning strike ball was seen going towards goal. Gandhi jumped to his right and his left arm hit the ball. Ball was deflected to a corner. Corner kick was handled by Gabriel & deftly tackled by Anna. Anna passed it to Kala, Kala to Bhutia, Bhutia to Babar…and Babar ran like a horse keeping ball with himself…it looked like he’s not running…he’s flying…he positioned himself & sent a swinging kick towards Brazilian Goal post…ball journeyed its parabolic orbit & Leonardo got beaten again by the speed and the flight.
It was a goal!!!! One of the most amazing…a goal from nearly 60 m…one of the longest goal probably in soccer’s history. My housing society erupted, I could hear them cheering.
India-2, Brazil -0.
Soon the first half was over. Brazilian coach looked furious & was seen lambasting his team. Huddled team looked shocked & surprised. Indian coach Messi, still handsome at 67 years was smiling his beatific smile. Indians looked happy, relaxed but still pumped up. Their task was not finished after all. Advertisements were shown in this while. I remembered ‘Sanam Pandey’ (daughter of Poonam Pandey) has declared earlier that she will strip if Indian team wins FIFA world cup. I chuckled to myself thinking that. Like mother like daughter.
Second half started soon.
Brazilians aggression increased further. Most of the possession was held by Brazilians. Almost whole Indian team is now defending these two goals. Yadav, Bahadur & Kala has their task cut out. Here & there happened for next 10 minutes or so. My beer mug got empty & I asked my grandson to further fill it. He did it happily. I took another cold sip & another nut I cracked from my artificial tooth.
Match entered into its 60th minute. Indians got bored by too much defending & changed their stance. Suddenly they attacked fiercely on Brazil’s goal. Even Brazilians were not expecting this…a well-defined kick from Ram was saved by Leonardo but went outside. India was awarded its first corner. Bhutia took the corner. He kicked; ball went flying in front of Indians strikers & Brazilian defenders who were shadowing them. Suddenly Futbal Singh ran & his towering 6'4" + pagdi took the ball on his head. His pagdi deflected & ball went straight into the goal. Leonardo couldn’t understand as what happened. Indians celebrated like wild beasts. Teammates took Futbal singh on their shoulders.
India-3, Brazil -0.
Fans of Brazil were leaving the stadium. Indian fans were celebrating. It was all surreal. Brazilians were stirred & shaken. They started playing rowdy. A lot of Indian players were kicked & abused at. Their attack got fiercer. Gandhi was kept on his toes & did a lot of saving. At-least 3 sure shot goals were saved by Gandhi alone. He was acting as a wall which Brazilians just couldn’t pierce through.
After 75 minutes, Brazilians started playing like a lost team. It’s not easy to recover from 3–0. Indians were also interested in defending these 3 goals. Soon 90 minutes were over & game moved into extra 4 mins of play.
Soon those 4 mins also passed.
It has happened. It has happened in my lifetime. India has won its first FIFA world cup defeating Brazil 3–0. Indian team mates were crying with joy. Meherban Khan, Satbir Kapoor & other celebrities were crying shamelessly. Tear of Joy were filling every Indian’s eyes. Tri color was fluttering high & proud.
We knew this has happened. I could see fireworks have started. Not to miss this historic moment, my ‘zero interest’ daughter & wife were also sitting beside me now. This was the kind of feeling which definitely can’t be explained but felt. You did not gain anything personally but the feeling that ‘my country’, ’my India’ has won…tremendous…overwhelming…fantastic.
I went to bed with a lump in my throat & satisfaction in my heart.
I felt no headache or hangover in the morning.
