This is the story of Shashi, a Hyderabad FC fan and a member of the Deccan Legion, who travelled to Goa for the ISL 2021-22 playoff final match between Hyderabad FC and Kerala Blasters FC. The thrilling finale went into the penalties, leading to HFC winning their first ever national level silverware. Here, Shashi recounts the moments of joy and festivities that he and his fellow fans experienced throughout the day at Fatorda, in what has become the most memorable day for Hyderabad FC fans till date.
I reached Goa early in the morning morning at 7:00 AM. I could see Kerala Blasters fans on streets on the way to the hotel. After a quick breakfast on the way to stadium to collect the pass at BookMyShow Counter, the buzz has already started.
Mediapersons from Kerala were taking fan interviews. A girl was praying by placing yellow flowers at stadium entry gate. It was KBFC yellow everywhere. However no one knew I was HFC fan. I was wearing White T shirt.
At the ticket collection centre there were hundreds of Kerala Blasters fans already queued up, around 9:30 AM, an hour before the counter would open. I joined the queue. There were at least 3-4 media channels doing live interview of the fans. All the KBFC fans where upbeat, chanting and cheering. It felt like I was in the centre of a storm.
A TV reporter was saying to the camera in Malayalam, “Everyone here is a KBFC fan.” (I can understand a bit of Malayalam) He was asking all the fans in the queue, “You are from Kerala right?” He was asking a few question about tickets, the match, KBFC coach and their players. He came to me and asked if I was from Kerala, I said was an HFC fan and suddenly there was silence for a moment, I felt very strange, with hundreds of Blasters fans' eyes on me. A frightening situation.
The TV guy continued to question in Malayalam, and I didn’t understand what he asked. So he switched to English.
TV reporter: Who will the final?
Me: Football will win and both team played well to be in the finals. (Afraid of backlash from KBFC Fans, I didn’t want to trigger them, they were high in spirits. Though they have been very good)
TV reporter: Your favourite player?
Me: Akash Mishra.
TV Reporter: Do you think Ogbeche will score today?
Me: Yes, Hope he scores. (Looking at people around)
TV Reporter: All the best.
Me: Thanks, wish you the same.
There were a few Kerala Blasters fans without tickets and enquiring about any tickets, A rival fan beside me said sarcastically “if you want tickets, go and ask HFC. They are providing Free passes.” I said, “Then why am I here to collect tickets from BookMyShow counter?” I hope he understood that a good number of HFC fans were here to support our team.