In Zimbabwe, they call filling up the stands ‘rent a crowd’. Boisterous school students give the proceedings, Tests or otherwise, a festive look. They cheer for every boundary and it does not matter if Zimbabwe happens to be at the receiving end. A day at cricket is a day of celebration.
The trend is quite different, and disturbing, at most Tests the world over, unless, of course, it is the Ashes. Traditionally, the Ashes have managed to retain the sheen of Test cricket and credit also to the players engaged who strive to set new benchmarks. The lack of spectator support for Test in most venues in India must cause concern to the administrators.
Tendulkar had suggested that throwing open the gates to students could be a good start. It is yet to be implemented, though. In Bengaluru, the Anil Kumble-led administration would invite cricket fans to come and enjoy the cricket, give them decent facilities, and even food and drinks; they were quick to understand the need to lure the cricket fan to watch a Test.
Deterrent
Enough efforts have not been made in India to attract fans to Test venues. Overwhelming security measures are a big deterrent, even though it must be said that the Punjab police have been refreshingly polite to the paying public. The same cannot be said at venues like Delhi and Kanpur; where cricket-watching can be a nightmare.
Sadly, the administrators in India have hardly taken steps to care for spectator comfort. Once inside the stadium, basic amenities like drinking water and eatables come at an exorbitant cost.
Also, the poor facilities ensure that there are no repeat customers. At many venues, there is neither a roof on the head nor clean washrooms. There is literally nothing that can wean you back to watch the next day’s play.
It is time the administrators woke up to the disturbing trend of empty galleries at Tests. It is another matter that some staging associations prefer poor turnout. It makes their work less cumbersome. In any case, the administrators do not depend on gate money for revenue. It comes from the broadcasting rights.
The day is not far when Test cricket, despite the innovations of day-night stuff and pink ball, would be reduced to a television sport. Even there, the cameraman would be challenged to avoid panning the camera on empty galleries. Can’t mask that, can you?!
With the victory, Goa rose to top of the table with 14 points from eight matches while Chennaiyin remains on 10 from the same number of matches.
With captain Lucio in the centre flanked by Gregory Arnolin and Luciano Sobroso, the defence played an exceptional role in controlling a marauding Mendoza and a skilful Elano.
The duo did all it could, especially in a listless first session, which was dominated by Chennaiyin FC and not to mention Narayan Das and Raju Gaikwad who played a huge role on the flanks.
FC Goa scored through the Brazilians, Leonardo Moura and Jonatan Lucca, with both goals coming in the second half.
The visitor went ahead in the 64th minute. In a blistering counter-attack, Rafael Coelho was brought down by Bernard Mendy, and the referee rightly showed the spot apart from flashing the yellow card on the Frenchman.
Moura took the penalty, wrong-footing the goalkeeper Karanjit Singh by kicking to the ’keeper’s left.
As it happens in such cases, the momentum changed completely soon after.
FC Goa attacked with vigour through the right with Das and on the left with Gaikwad.
On the defensive, Chennaiyin FC panicked and conceded another penalty.
This time the culprit was defender Wadoo, who in trying to block Rafael’s shot, saw the ball touch his hands.
This time Lucca scored as Karanjit once again moved the wrong way.
The host failed to take the few chances that came its way in the first half. Fikru couldn’t do much as a striker.
Expectedly, all eyes were on Mendoza and Elano. Mendoza’s effort off a corner by Elano that kissed the side bar was the closest that Chennaiyin FC came.
Playing his first match after his suspension was reduced to two matches from four, Harmanjot Khabra was shown the red card when he brought down Moura towards the end of the second half. The match was practically over for the host by then.
Playing in a 5-3-2 formation, FC Goa was pathetic upfront for most of the first session.
There was little its strikers did in the first half. The lone decent strike emerged from Das whose left-foot attempt from close range went over the post.
It is a cause for concern that the host has conceded seven penalties in total.
Though chief coach Marco Materazzi said the other day that of them only two counted, he, for sure, would agree that the two today were fair and square.
