A gloomy day where you just want to stay in your bed and not do anything throughout, where there is no hurry to get out. A typical description of a usual Sunday morning, but this one was different. It was a one where you just want to get out of bed and conquer the world! It was a "Super Sunday"!!
This "Super Sunday" as it is well know in the Premier League, had four of the biggest clubs in England playing against each other. It was the much awaited clash between Liverpool and Manchester United, followed by Arsenal playing against the rich Manchester City. It was a Sunday where a country which is united by one religion, played a country which brought it to them; the T20 world cup match between India and England! Being a 'sporty' Sunday, unlike the other lazy ones, the boys decided to go to a club to watch the games.
Impatiently, the boys waited for the projector to start and the channel to be arranged. United had already kicked off the match 2 minutes earlier, and the controversial handshake between Evra and Suarez was missed! Thankfully in an advanced world of smart phones, they knew nothing much had happened in those 2 minutes; but still they kept waiting for the match to come on the 160cm screen. The commentary was heard followed by a small applause, a sudden silence and all eyes towards the screen. 'The Red Devils', in their white away kits, were being dominated by 'the reds' at Ainfield. 12 minutes into the game and Liverpool are in United's half, closing in towards the goal. Gerrard is awaiting a pass and just when he turns with the ball at his feet, a sudden shout of disappointment echos. All the heads are turned towards the management, the screen has gone off! A look of panic on the faces of each and everyone present there, but the channel has still not started! He gets up running towards the manager, aggressively asking him to do something! Some tension is sensed between the two and he is forced to go and talk to a senior lady in the lobby. On one side the match, which has still stayed 0-0, is going on and the other he has to get the alcohol and food serving started! Already the 35th minute and a Liverpool player is being sent off! The match being more important he decides to accept defeat against the management and runs to the bar. Liverpool down to 10, but still for the major part of the 45 minutes, they were keeping the United's defense on its toes! The first half was over, beer and starters had just been ordered and the temperature in the bar had cooled down. The infamous hair-dryer treatment of the United manager was being mocked along with some match analysis.
The referee blew his whistle for Liverpool to begin the second half. It started as the first half ended with Liverpool closing in towards the United goal, 51 seconds had passed and that same shout of disappointment was heard. This time it wasn't the projector, it was Stevie G who had put the ball past Lindegaard and ran towards the crowd to celebrate his goal which came from a half volley. Everyone went back to their drink and waited for the game to commence again. Nani has been replaced by the evergreen Paul Scholes who is known for changing the game and controlling the mid-field. United need a goal, and they need it fast if they want to be in the game which, for the major part has been controlled by their bitter rivals. The attack has started and only Ferdinand and Evans are seen behind the half line. Kagawa has passed the ball to United's right back Rafael who plays it down to Valencia and runs into the box. The ball has been crossed to Kagawa and he heads it back to Rafael. Onto his left foot, from a very tight angle a shot is taken, everyone is up from their seats and a huge cheer is accompanied with an applause and a unanimous, "come on!!!". Rafael, proud, is showing off his batch to the fans who, if not as much, had at least a similar amount of adrenaline rush flowing through them! 1-1 the score line and a smile and a sigh of relief on their faces. A not very tight or heated game as the others we have seen in the past, but still being watched with the same amount of eagerness. Both team trying to break the dead-lock and vying for those 3 points they will get for winning the game. The importance of the 3 points, known to none better than two of the most successful clubs in England. Entering the last 10 minutes of the game, United have started another attack, Valencia sprinting with the ball at his feet. A few old uncles, a family of four and some other couples have entered the bar, which was much dominated by the boys, is now being threatened by a crowd who have come to watch their God play against England. An argument to change the channel is going on at a corner while Valencia has taken the ball near Liverpool's d-line and three United players are moving into the 6 yard box. The uncles who are refusing to budge and go to another room to watch the cricket match are forcing the waiter to switch the sport. More than half his attention is in the game but he has to fight if he wants it to go on. "Yes! Yes yes yes!" is being heard in the background and the argument has been stopped. He walks towards the screen to see Valencia has been nudged off by Glen Johnson and the referee has pointed to the spot. Liverpool players have surrounded him arguing he has made a wrong decision and in a similar situation, the boys have surrounded the uncle and the waiters pleading for the game to go on. The boys have moved towards the screen, every one on the edge of their seats, the argument is won, but the Liverpool players' pleas have gone in vain. Robin Van Persie has moved up to take the kick. 4th consecutive penalty which United have won, but three have already been missed in the respective matches. The drinks have been put down on the table, a sudden silence in a bar which hasn't been quiet at all evening. RVP running towards the ball, Reina has dived the right way, the power is too much for him and another cheer has brought the bar back to life! It seemed as though time had stopped for those two minutes and suddenly everything was resumed with celebration! The atmosphere completely changing with United leading 2-1 at Anfield! The rush was felt once again, and the uncles who just witnessed this also retired to their seats, knowing they were fighting for a lost cause! A nervy 90 minutes are just coming to an end and the board indicating an extra time of 5 minutes is shown. Liverpool who haven't given up are trying to get at least a one point by scoring an equalizer. The game's gone into the 96th minute, and everyone is screaming, "come one, blow the whistel!! Clear it clear it!" or could there be time for one last attack? But the referee has checked his watch, blown his whistle and ended the game! A 2-1 victory for United and 3 points, nothing more that they could ask for! Disagreeing with the result and calling it an unfair one, Liverpool fans and players alike, walked away with an expression which could be easily confused with a one someone would have had after being robbed or cheated.
The game was over and the uncles raised their voice again, asking the waiters to change the channel to cricket. They had 30 minutes before Manchester City v/s Arsenal began on Star Sports. Eight overs had been bowled by England who had won the toss. Not paying much attention to the cricket game, the boys were arguing about the result, about which channel will be on on the projector and about what starter to order next! Being the majority, football had an upper hand, but the uncles arguing saying we are Indian and we should watch cricket instead of supporting England and their sport of football! Well but its the love for the beautiful game which overpowered the argument of being in Indian. The uncles having a look, similar to the one on the faces of the Liverpool players and fans, had walked away from the bar to allow the boys to carry on with their agenda! The love for one sport had taken over the love for a religion followed by, I must add, 'almost'..everyone! It was like the moment when RVP scored that spot kick earning United their three points, there were cheers and a sigh of relief by the boys!
Manchester City v/s Arsenal a much more exciting game than the previous one or the cricket one going on in the adjacent room ended in a 1-1 draw but didn't miss the cheers, shouting and excitement of the boys! The other families, cursing but enjoying their country winning against a less favored England side. A Sunday, which otherwise would have been boring, accompanied with a a movie or a dinner, had transformed in to an (as expected) exciting Sunday, with two victories, one over Liverpool, and in a similar fashion, over the uncles! Both matches ended at almost the same time, with the uncles failing to understand how a 1-1- draw was an exciting game, deserving a telecast on the projector, over India's victory over England at the group stage of the T20 world cup.
Well all's well that end's well..the uncles, the boys and the staff all had one hell of a Sunday evening..a complete Super Sunday!
This "Super Sunday" as it is well know in the Premier League, had four of the biggest clubs in England playing against each other. It was the much awaited clash between Liverpool and Manchester United, followed by Arsenal playing against the rich Manchester City. It was a Sunday where a country which is united by one religion, played a country which brought it to them; the T20 world cup match between India and England! Being a 'sporty' Sunday, unlike the other lazy ones, the boys decided to go to a club to watch the games.
Impatiently, the boys waited for the projector to start and the channel to be arranged. United had already kicked off the match 2 minutes earlier, and the controversial handshake between Evra and Suarez was missed! Thankfully in an advanced world of smart phones, they knew nothing much had happened in those 2 minutes; but still they kept waiting for the match to come on the 160cm screen. The commentary was heard followed by a small applause, a sudden silence and all eyes towards the screen. 'The Red Devils', in their white away kits, were being dominated by 'the reds' at Ainfield. 12 minutes into the game and Liverpool are in United's half, closing in towards the goal. Gerrard is awaiting a pass and just when he turns with the ball at his feet, a sudden shout of disappointment echos. All the heads are turned towards the management, the screen has gone off! A look of panic on the faces of each and everyone present there, but the channel has still not started! He gets up running towards the manager, aggressively asking him to do something! Some tension is sensed between the two and he is forced to go and talk to a senior lady in the lobby. On one side the match, which has still stayed 0-0, is going on and the other he has to get the alcohol and food serving started! Already the 35th minute and a Liverpool player is being sent off! The match being more important he decides to accept defeat against the management and runs to the bar. Liverpool down to 10, but still for the major part of the 45 minutes, they were keeping the United's defense on its toes! The first half was over, beer and starters had just been ordered and the temperature in the bar had cooled down. The infamous hair-dryer treatment of the United manager was being mocked along with some match analysis.
The referee blew his whistle for Liverpool to begin the second half. It started as the first half ended with Liverpool closing in towards the United goal, 51 seconds had passed and that same shout of disappointment was heard. This time it wasn't the projector, it was Stevie G who had put the ball past Lindegaard and ran towards the crowd to celebrate his goal which came from a half volley. Everyone went back to their drink and waited for the game to commence again. Nani has been replaced by the evergreen Paul Scholes who is known for changing the game and controlling the mid-field. United need a goal, and they need it fast if they want to be in the game which, for the major part has been controlled by their bitter rivals. The attack has started and only Ferdinand and Evans are seen behind the half line. Kagawa has passed the ball to United's right back Rafael who plays it down to Valencia and runs into the box. The ball has been crossed to Kagawa and he heads it back to Rafael. Onto his left foot, from a very tight angle a shot is taken, everyone is up from their seats and a huge cheer is accompanied with an applause and a unanimous, "come on!!!". Rafael, proud, is showing off his batch to the fans who, if not as much, had at least a similar amount of adrenaline rush flowing through them! 1-1 the score line and a smile and a sigh of relief on their faces. A not very tight or heated game as the others we have seen in the past, but still being watched with the same amount of eagerness. Both team trying to break the dead-lock and vying for those 3 points they will get for winning the game. The importance of the 3 points, known to none better than two of the most successful clubs in England. Entering the last 10 minutes of the game, United have started another attack, Valencia sprinting with the ball at his feet. A few old uncles, a family of four and some other couples have entered the bar, which was much dominated by the boys, is now being threatened by a crowd who have come to watch their God play against England. An argument to change the channel is going on at a corner while Valencia has taken the ball near Liverpool's d-line and three United players are moving into the 6 yard box. The uncles who are refusing to budge and go to another room to watch the cricket match are forcing the waiter to switch the sport. More than half his attention is in the game but he has to fight if he wants it to go on. "Yes! Yes yes yes!" is being heard in the background and the argument has been stopped. He walks towards the screen to see Valencia has been nudged off by Glen Johnson and the referee has pointed to the spot. Liverpool players have surrounded him arguing he has made a wrong decision and in a similar situation, the boys have surrounded the uncle and the waiters pleading for the game to go on. The boys have moved towards the screen, every one on the edge of their seats, the argument is won, but the Liverpool players' pleas have gone in vain. Robin Van Persie has moved up to take the kick. 4th consecutive penalty which United have won, but three have already been missed in the respective matches. The drinks have been put down on the table, a sudden silence in a bar which hasn't been quiet at all evening. RVP running towards the ball, Reina has dived the right way, the power is too much for him and another cheer has brought the bar back to life! It seemed as though time had stopped for those two minutes and suddenly everything was resumed with celebration! The atmosphere completely changing with United leading 2-1 at Anfield! The rush was felt once again, and the uncles who just witnessed this also retired to their seats, knowing they were fighting for a lost cause! A nervy 90 minutes are just coming to an end and the board indicating an extra time of 5 minutes is shown. Liverpool who haven't given up are trying to get at least a one point by scoring an equalizer. The game's gone into the 96th minute, and everyone is screaming, "come one, blow the whistel!! Clear it clear it!" or could there be time for one last attack? But the referee has checked his watch, blown his whistle and ended the game! A 2-1 victory for United and 3 points, nothing more that they could ask for! Disagreeing with the result and calling it an unfair one, Liverpool fans and players alike, walked away with an expression which could be easily confused with a one someone would have had after being robbed or cheated.
The game was over and the uncles raised their voice again, asking the waiters to change the channel to cricket. They had 30 minutes before Manchester City v/s Arsenal began on Star Sports. Eight overs had been bowled by England who had won the toss. Not paying much attention to the cricket game, the boys were arguing about the result, about which channel will be on on the projector and about what starter to order next! Being the majority, football had an upper hand, but the uncles arguing saying we are Indian and we should watch cricket instead of supporting England and their sport of football! Well but its the love for the beautiful game which overpowered the argument of being in Indian. The uncles having a look, similar to the one on the faces of the Liverpool players and fans, had walked away from the bar to allow the boys to carry on with their agenda! The love for one sport had taken over the love for a religion followed by, I must add, 'almost'..everyone! It was like the moment when RVP scored that spot kick earning United their three points, there were cheers and a sigh of relief by the boys!
Manchester City v/s Arsenal a much more exciting game than the previous one or the cricket one going on in the adjacent room ended in a 1-1 draw but didn't miss the cheers, shouting and excitement of the boys! The other families, cursing but enjoying their country winning against a less favored England side. A Sunday, which otherwise would have been boring, accompanied with a a movie or a dinner, had transformed in to an (as expected) exciting Sunday, with two victories, one over Liverpool, and in a similar fashion, over the uncles! Both matches ended at almost the same time, with the uncles failing to understand how a 1-1- draw was an exciting game, deserving a telecast on the projector, over India's victory over England at the group stage of the T20 world cup.
Well all's well that end's well..the uncles, the boys and the staff all had one hell of a Sunday evening..a complete Super Sunday!
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