How the love affair started

Here's the first of our Blogs.

Akshay starts here. Prathamesh will soon Follow.

The first one is dedicated to how it all started for the beautiful game.

World Cup 94. I was 7. Was first introduced to the game. Its too hard to remember what match it was. But was a late nighter and yes, the men in yellow were playing. As a kid i learnt, Brazil are how define world football.

There's a loss of memory but yes, i did follow the world cup 98 'cause i distinctly remember France lifting the Golden Cup. And being very very impressed by certain new comers 'Croatia' and Davor Suker causing a wave in world football. Again i lose track. Then world cup 2002. A Cafu led Brazil doing what was expected of them. Rivaldo and Luis Ronaldo going into the finals v/s an impressive Oliver Kahn led Germany into the finals fighting for the golden Boot. Rolando scored two. One of a rebound from a Rivaldo stinger.

Then began the real love. For club football.2003 champions league semi finals. Juventus v/s Real Madrid. A certain Pavel Nedved single handedly thrashed Madrid out. What did catch my breathe were the tears in the eyes of the man for being yellow carded, hence missing the semis. Needless to say, Juventus lost the finals.

And then came the mother of all finals. Istanbul 2005. A match that called me. A match that held me. A match that made me realise where i belonged. To say the truth, i did not watch the match. I was in Europe, travelling as history unfolded. Then in England i remember watchin Liverpool fans protesting. Well the club called me. I was a Red then. I learnt what loving a club is. I learnt what a human demi God is. I learnt what a Manager is. I learnt being a Red.

I started football being a Raul fan. But soon i was praying a man called Steven Gerrard.

That was it. That year made me realise where i belonged. I did not chose my club. My club chose me. Liverpool called me. Liverpool made me a Red. Since then i made a lifetime commitment. A commitment to be a lifelong Red. To stand by my club through thick and thin. To smile and cry for a game of football.

Thats when i learnt how to go devote yourself to A 6INCH RADIUS AND 11 OTHERS.