Monday 28th June 2010

    

Today was a day to sleep in a bit later than usual. The hotel reception area was full of English supporters preparing to leave after their team’s defeat at the hands of the Germans. They were rather vocal about the decision of the referee to disallow the goal that was shown to have crossed the goal mouth line. One could not feel anything but sympathy for these fans. I say that even Stevie Wonder would have seen that a goal was indeed scored. Nevertheless, we in South Africa bid a sad farewell to the English supporters. Their fans have distinguished themselves for their loyal support of their team and their exemplary behaviour out of the stadiums. In fact, the English supporters have set a new standard for the support that they have rendered to their team. I can still recollect how they took over Cape Town in their group stage match against Algeria. They had annexed almost every available space at the Waterfront with their flags of all sizes.

Today it is just Brazil that is uppermost in everyone’s minds. The match is scheduled for tonight at the Ellis Park stadium. Brazil plays Chile in this round of 16 matches. Once again, I wish to avoid the way I travelled to the stadium previously. I had used the park and ride from Westgate transport hub. I had intended using the Metrobus arranged by the Johannesburg city from Sandton. The bus never arrived and I had to use a taxi service called Gautransie that had cost me far more than I had budgeted for. None of this for tonight’s game.

I travelled by car intending to use the train from Park Station to the stadium. We however got onto the stadium off rank rather easily and decided to use the park and walk facility arranged for Ellis Park. Everything proceeded to plan except when we got the local high school that had arranged to let cars park on their field. It was filled to capacity.

There was however no reason for panic at that stage. An enterprising home owner was on the lookout for spill over from the parking grounds and offered parking for our car for R50. We accepted gratefully.  The house had one entrance. We were the second car group that had taken up her offer. It became apparent that we would be at the mercy of the last car parked in the lady’s driveway after the match was completed as far as leaving the vicinity was concerned. Needless to say that this was exactly what had happened. The owner of the last of the eight cars parked in this yard chose to savour his experience at bit longer at the stadium after the completion of the match. As we stood outside awaiting his return, we became the focus of some merriment as fans walked past the house in Second Street on their way back to the official parking lot at the high school.

The enterprising lady arranged for us to be driven to the stadium in her car. This averted a twenty five minute walk to the stadium. We were however charged for the service, but were only complimentary as we were dropped off right outside the stadium. This part or side of the Ellis Park stadium was far more pleasing than the other side that I had used on my trip here earlier in the tournament. The organisation tonight was far slicker than on the previous visit for the Brazil North Korea match. The facilities at the stadium were also in a better condition.

As for the game, what can I say? Brazil enjoys far more support from neutral fans around the world. The atmosphere at the stadium was throbbing and increased as the goals were scored. The Mexican wave had resumed its regular rounds amongst the fans after being usurped by the novelty of the vuvuzela in the earlier matches. Games involving Brazil are usually distinguished by the incessant sound of drums beating in the stadiums. There were the usual drummers. Pity about the drummer sitting behind me though as he had no inkling of even playing the most basic of rhythms.

Yet another memorable experience of this World Cup is now logged in the memory banks forever. In the earlier game today, the Netherlands beat Slovakia 2-1. Brazil demolished the Chileans 3 nil in the game that I attended. Tomorrow, the thought of travelling to Pretoria Tshwane for the Japan Paraguay game beckons.