Back then in 1982, I never understood why I heard the 'World Cup' word everywhere I went. At school, the market, stores, posters of footballers everywhere. But that night, I was running a high fever and as I lay on the couch at home hoping to get rid of my fever (and some of Pops' friends too) who were there screaming as they watched the match on TV, I had no choice but to focus my eyes there too. Argentina vs Brazil. Maradona was given a red card. Yes, that was the game where my fascination with World Cups began.
My grandmother was sitting beside me coaxing me to swallow the panadol and told me to cheer for Brazil. "They speak Portuguese, girl" she said. So that was what I did. And I becam an avid fan of Brazil with the likes of Zico, Falcao, Eder, Oscar, Junior and a whole string of Brazillian footballers. (And in any case if you were wondering why I was a making a big deal about the panadol, it was because I had and still have a phobia of swallowing it since it always gets stuck on my tongue long after the water has gone down)
Pops produced a special World Cup issue prior to the championships and those books hit most newstands and bookstores in Malaysia. And after that (high fever) nite, that book never left my sight. It featured the top players of that time, among them that I remember were Socrates, Rummenigge, Kevin Keegan, Pat Jennings, Glen Hoddle, Jesus Zamora, Bernard Schuster, Harald Schumacher and Paolo Rossi...Mmm, Paolo Rossi. I remember that guy. He was my enemy during Espana 82, scorring the hattrick 3-1 that pushed Brazil out of the WC during the quarter finals I think. Italy later went on to win the title when the beat West Germany in the finals. Strangely, I was cheering for West Germany then, something I can't imagine myself doing today.
I think Melvin and I had the most fun during that time.We nicknamed everyone in the family with a footballer's name. It was a code-name and we could talk freely about anyone in front of them, without they knowing it.
Since it was held in Spain, all the matches were telecasted 'live' here in the middle of the night. Mummy also used to prepare delicious stuff for us to eat while watching the matches in the early hours of the morning. Meat pies, pizzas, curry puffs and even pangsusis. Hey, my grandmother used to join in the fun too. It was almost festive-like for us those days.
Then came WC 86 in Mexico and the same fun again. This time, we had Errol and Ian (2 of our cousins) who joined in the fun too. The joke of the season: I actually made novenas for Brazil to win...*laughs*..What a sucker I was then. Mel still teases me about that whenever he remembers.
There was a long break for me from World Cups after that. The 1990 WC came and went without me even knowing about it...Sunny and I were dating then....1994 WC also went unnoticed as I got married that year and therefore, busy with married life. 1998 World Cup didn't get my attention too - had my hands full raising 2 kids who were 1 year apart and the same goes for the 2002 World Cup.
Ok. WC 2006 was fun. A little. The kids were big enough to understand the significance of it and we had a great time watching the matches. Fun, yes. But nothing compared to the 1982/1986 ones.
South Africa however is bringing back the excitement I used to feel way back in 1982 and 86. My kids are definitely more interested now and they even wake up for the 2.30 matches. In fact, Mummy and Pops are organizing a World Cup Supper for Kelly, Daniel and Melvin this Saturday for the Argentina/Germany match. The 'fever' is back.
I have long stopped being a fan of Brazil. In fact, I want them out before the semis. It's Portugal now. The country of my Mom and her ancestors. The Portugal-Korea game? That was super-fantastic! We had Mel over to watch it with us, and boy did we scream!! And we jumped! Every time they scored a goal. Thank God my wooden flooring didn't let out on us. Melvin being there was an extra treat for the kids - they idolize him. Don't even ask me why...I'm clueless on that!!
So that's it. Which team is gonna have special memories of South Africa 2010 in the end? We'll just have to wait and see, innit? Cheers..:)
