Great Commentary is another reason you should follow world cup football.

Find myself in Amritsar airport, four days and I am finally not left clueless when I hear ‘Sat Sri Akal’. Everybody says it, everywhere. Pretty modern young woman at the hotel desk, the cabbie, the waiter…everyone. Switched on to watch the replay of Poland versus Colombia – already knowing the score. It was an act of steeling myself to what was to come. Senegal facing off against Colombia – would they have a chance? And Poland…did they have it in them to nick a point off Japan…even upset them…?

Poland, unfortunately, are already out of it. However, watching the game had me thinking that maybe, just maybe, each of the three runners had a chance. Columbia had always been a favourite (it felt like a small North India). Japan never (rich country hang-up). Senegal I am hoping and betting will go further…much further. Obviously, this is not a football expert speaking. This is not even an enthusiastic follower who may earn in the fantasy and betting markets. It is just a middle-aged guy sitting in Amritsar airport, with money on the African teams doing well at the World Cup. Of course, it is June 25^th (2018) morning in Amritsar airport.

This city and this hotel is teeming with families on vacation and couples on vacations. A good number of them on their honeymoon, it appears. Some of these youngsters may have already wised up to the game. A new bride clicking pictures of her mother-in-law, or may be an aunt-in-law. There is an aunt or mom in-law taking pictures of the young man reclined on the sides of a swimming pool. The guy plays it cool, and the bride ambles over to his side. Many pictures would simply never be looked at – that appears to just be the way it is. Back to the football.

Well, I am watching the game wondering how Senegal is going to be up against it when they play Colombia. That is when the telecast simply takes it to the level where one gets hooked to watching sports on television.

Lewandowski smashes a left-footed shot from the top of the box right at the goalie.

Ospina pushes it over rather acrobatically.

The camera pans to a little girl who jumps and cheers enthusiastically.

“The little girl appreciates good goalkeeping when she sees it” says the commentator. The line makes me smile.

3-0 is a little unfair to Poland maybe. The game was closer than that. But this is football not the human rights commission – and even there, fairness is in short supply anyway.

The camera pans the crowd to show Rene Higuita and Carlos Valderrama enjoying the game from the stands. It brings tears to my eyes. Higuita’s devil-may-dare goalkeeping, Valderrama the midfield maestro. It takes me back more than quarter of a century. That’s one more exhibit for my “Shit, I am old!” museum. The commentator lets the television visuals do the talking. Maybe there are younger football fans who wondered why the cameras training on these middle-aged guys with crazy hairdos. 

Two reasons. First, so that you appreciate all the good looking young Colombian women in the stands. Second, they are rare relics of the idea that football is a game and you played it. Not the current chutzpah – that it was your profession and that there is great money invested in being good at your work.

As I scratch my head trying to recall their names, the cameras come back to them…after Colombia have scored a goal. They celebrate and hug, Higuita and Valderrama – and there is still joy they emanate anywhere close to or on a football field. This time the commentator says their names, almost as if he unilaterally called the tease to a close.

The only way both Senegal and Colombia make their way into this second round is if Poland turn the tables on Japan, and if Senegal and Colombia play out a draw…and if the goals difference/ goals scored works out in their favour. Senegalese drums, the prettiest fans in the world from Colombia and even the ‘Nippon…Nippon’ chants – it makes watching football on television amazing. The commentator personalizes it in unexpected and memorable ways. So bring it on! Good commentary on television - what more can anyone ask for!