<p>However, thunderous and tumultuous roars boomed and echoed in the neighbourhoods of Bangalore’s backyards, signalling the beginning of a ball.<br /><br />As if mimicking and mirroring the festive mood of the Protean nation, Bangalore’s thousands of football fans roused in celebration given the frenzied following the sport has in India’s Silicon City. As the vuvuzelas (plastic trumpets) – being described as South Africa’s ‘12th man’ – resounded the jam-packed stadium at Johannesburg, slogans, hoots and whistles resonated and reverberated different parts of the City here.<br /><br />Shrill pitched shouts of Bafana Bafana (the South African team) rent the air with the soccer mania at its zenith touching every facet of life in the sport loving City. From GenX to old guards, to connoisseurs of the game, corporates, business class, women and children, there was no let to their enthusiasm as the match picked its feverish pitch. <br /><br />With virtually the entire City glued to TV screens, fists pumped in the air, slogans outscreaming the acoustics as the first whistle went of – Mexico got off in the traditional fashion. While entrepreneurs like Biju and his brother from Indiranagar had friends over on their terrace, Goutham preferred a pub with a big screen. <br /><br />While pubs and bars saw their counters teeming with sport lovers, one highlight in the City was a mega screen near Murphy Town market, drawing crowds from all corners of the locality. If a unique chance to host the World Cup drew millions together in the South Africa, such dreams still being latent, love for the sport ruled the roost in Murphy Town. <br />With their dearie team Brazil scheduled to play only on June 15, heatbeats followed the drums, cheering everytime the hosts got possession of the ball. The 37th minute attempt for goal by Mexico will tell the tale: the disappointing ‘oh’ that echoed even from thin air, when Mexico’s Carlos Vela got one behind the net quickly turned into a roar when the assistant referee pulled out the off-side flag.<br /><br />India, may not be in the fray, South Africa, now placed at 90 in world rankings and managing just a draw in the opening game, may not be among the favourites. But regardless of who lifts the Cup, both South Africa and Bangalore will emerge winners.<br /></p>
<p>However, thunderous and tumultuous roars boomed and echoed in the neighbourhoods of Bangalore’s backyards, signalling the beginning of a ball.<br /><br />As if mimicking and mirroring the festive mood of the Protean nation, Bangalore’s thousands of football fans roused in celebration given the frenzied following the sport has in India’s Silicon City. As the vuvuzelas (plastic trumpets) – being described as South Africa’s ‘12th man’ – resounded the jam-packed stadium at Johannesburg, slogans, hoots and whistles resonated and reverberated different parts of the City here.<br /><br />Shrill pitched shouts of Bafana Bafana (the South African team) rent the air with the soccer mania at its zenith touching every facet of life in the sport loving City. From GenX to old guards, to connoisseurs of the game, corporates, business class, women and children, there was no let to their enthusiasm as the match picked its feverish pitch. <br /><br />With virtually the entire City glued to TV screens, fists pumped in the air, slogans outscreaming the acoustics as the first whistle went of – Mexico got off in the traditional fashion. While entrepreneurs like Biju and his brother from Indiranagar had friends over on their terrace, Goutham preferred a pub with a big screen. <br /><br />While pubs and bars saw their counters teeming with sport lovers, one highlight in the City was a mega screen near Murphy Town market, drawing crowds from all corners of the locality. If a unique chance to host the World Cup drew millions together in the South Africa, such dreams still being latent, love for the sport ruled the roost in Murphy Town. <br />With their dearie team Brazil scheduled to play only on June 15, heatbeats followed the drums, cheering everytime the hosts got possession of the ball. The 37th minute attempt for goal by Mexico will tell the tale: the disappointing ‘oh’ that echoed even from thin air, when Mexico’s Carlos Vela got one behind the net quickly turned into a roar when the assistant referee pulled out the off-side flag.<br /><br />India, may not be in the fray, South Africa, now placed at 90 in world rankings and managing just a draw in the opening game, may not be among the favourites. But regardless of who lifts the Cup, both South Africa and Bangalore will emerge winners.<br /></p>
