03 September,2011 09:24 AM IST | | Ashwin Ferro
Former India rugby ace and Bollywood actor Rahul Bose is well travelled. So, when he says that yesterday's Argentina vs Venezuela friendly football game at the Salt Lake Stadium matches up to some of the world's best sporting events, it must definitely have been so!
Rahul Bose
"The crowd was about 85,000 which may be a tad less than what the Salt Lake Stadium can hold, but going by the sheer atmosphere here yesterday, this game matched up to some of the world's best sporting events," Bose told MiD DAY over the phone from Kolkata after witnessing Argentina beat Venezuela 1-0 in yesterday's international friendly.
"I've watched World Cup cricket matches at Lord's in England as well as in different cities in India. I've sat courtside and watched the Phoenix Suns played some amazing basketball in the NBA and this football match is right up there," added Bose.
Argentina's Nicolas Otamendi got his head at the end of a Messi cross to score what turned out to be the match-winner in the 67th minute and sent the crowd into a frenzy. "The noise after the goal was understandable, but the crowd went berserk every time Messi touched the ball, and that was amazing.
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u00a0This was an extremely intelligent crowd that loves and understands its football. That's why after half-time, as the players' intensity reduced, the crowd too realised that it's only a friendly after all, and cooled down," added Bose, who had none other than former India football captain Baichung Bhutia for company throughout the match.
"Baichung kept saying 'watch out for a Venezuela counter' and right enough Argentina were caught napping when the Venezuelans came up with some quick counter-attacks." Besides the love for Messi, there was another reason that drew Bose to the game. "The last time when I had an auction for my charity, Diego Forlan autographed some balls for me, I'm hoping Messi does the same," said Bose.
u00a0
Speaking on the disappointment of Messi not scoring a goal, Bose, gave a glimpse of his football knowledge, when he shot back: "I never quite expected it. He hasn't scored too many goals for Argentina anyway. But simply watching him play was amazing. It's the kind of tale you'd tell your grandchildren."
