Salt Lake awash with maroon and green

Okerie’s goal from the spot was a pent-up release for the spectators, who knew that Bagan had to win today’s match over Mahindras to emerge top of the heapin the National Football League (NFL).

Goal number two and three from the Nigerian, believed to the highest money-raking pro in Indian football, was the icing in the Bagan celebratory cake. It was one of the greatest moments in the hoary history of the oldest football club in India. And as the leg-weary Bagan heroes trooped into the tunnel with chants of "Chima, Chima" ringing around the ground, one witnessed unbelievable scenes of hero worship. Fans fell at the feet of Mohun Bagan president Tutu Bose, his sweat-soaked shirt highlighting the contours of his enormous girth, after pacing up and down the synthetic athletic track around the ground like an expectant father. Seconds later, trooped in the hero himself, as some of his fans went into unrestrained ecstasy while others stuck all over his ebony-hued body.

The champagne bottles were kept in readiness form them in the Bagan dressing room. But both Okerie and Bose looked relieved than excited. They knew that a loss could have easily meant violentcondemnation, given the volatile passion for the game here. A reason which keeps the women of Bengal, who are as football crazy as the men, to stay away from the stadium.

Joe Perkins, a Australian who is in India as part of his study for a book on Test cricket, was bowled by what he saw in the stadium. "I have seen football in Brazil and other parts of South America and I can tell you that the fans here are very intense and raucous," he said, sporting green colours all over his youthful visage while soaking in the atmosphere.

All eyes were on Bagan. And nothing was more telling than the fact that just one of the battery of photographers at the ground was behind the Mahindra goal! India’s Test series win over Australia was history. On the streets, bylanes, restaurants, club and marketplace the talk was if Bagan would beat Mahindras to emerge supreme.

Bagan had the high-decibel level spectator support. Even as one meandered into the Salt Lake, one could see truck loads of Bagan spectators. Green andmaroon colours painted on their faces, wrapped around their bodies and adorning their boats — the symbol of the 108-year-old club.

As for Bagan coach Thumbarratthi Chathunni, it was another feather in his rising stature as a strategist. And he was not going to be modest about it: "I knew we could do it. Look at my track record as a coach and you will know why," said the coach in his distinct Malayalam accent.

Chathunni had a thousands of assistant coaches in the stands. Almost everyone in the crowd had his own piece of advice to give him when a Bagan move did not yield the necessary results. The vicarious feeling of achievement among the Bagan supporters was unmistakable. Crazy boys of the game!