They had already spent about $2,000 each for flights and accommodation, and were planning to try their luck with scalpers for the Champions League final tickets in Madrid.
Dinesh Kumar, a 34-year-old Liverpool fan, and his 62-year-old Tottenham-supporting father Dewadas Vellasamy, were willing to pay about $6,000 each but were quoted almost $10,000 each and decided to pass.
Yet the duo, who were part of a group of 20 Singaporeans who had made their way to the Spanish capital last week, still had the time of their lives on Saturday with the football festivities that unfolded outside the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium as Liverpool beat Tottenham 2-0 to lift their sixth European Cup.
Dinesh, who works in the oil and gas industry, told The Straits Times: "It was hot and humid and we were surprised the Liverpool fan zone at Plaza Felipe II had no live screening. We were directed to bars, but they were fully booked and the commentary was in Spanish.
"In the end, we found an Indian bistro which was willing to let us to make a booking and watch the game. Fans from Hong Kong, Australia, Egypt, Malaysia, India and England started streaming in.
"There were so many fans like us who did not have tickets, but we ended up having a crazy party.
"At the final whistle, we were in tears because some of us went to Kiev last year when Liverpool lost and this felt like consolation.
"We went to the fan zone again where people gathered and celebrated with song and dance until 6am."
Dewadas, a retiree who has supported Tottenham since 1974, added: "Naturally, we Spurs fans are quite disappointed. I feel Liverpool won by luck because of the penalty and Alisson's saves.
"But I'm also very happy to be part of history with Tottenham's first Champions League final and witness in person what fans are willing to do for the love of their clubs."
Aaron Kok, a Liverpool fan who runs The Experiences Firm that took 11 fans to Madrid, was impressed by the respect both sets of fans showed despite the intense rivalry.
The 42-year-old said: "Spurs fans deserve huge credit. Visibly fewer in numbers, they were still great sport and created insane noise and atmosphere. They were respectful with friendly banter which should be how all sports fans should behave regardless of the team we support."
He and two other Liverpool fans left their hotel at 4am yesterday to begin a 12-hour commute by plane and car to Merseyside via Rome and London for the trophy parade.
Kok said: "This trip to Liverpool is really quite illogical as there was no guarantee of victory and we could have gone to a very sad city. But life has to be lived through the heart as much as the brain."
Meanwhile, fans in Singapore had various options to follow Saturday's action, including at the Osim Sundown Marathon, where around 300 people gathered to watch the live telecast on a big screen at the runners' village.
After completing the half-marathon in a black Liverpool kit, Eddy Chua, a 22-year-old national serviceman, said: "There was a very lively atmosphere. Even though we were all tired after the run, we kept the atmosphere going.
"I was there alone, but it felt like I was there with friends as we were in it together, cheering for our team when Liverpool scored.
"I supported Liverpool only since 2006 and, from that time on, our only major trophy was the League Cup in 2012. But the Champions League win was our moment to tell the world that this is our time."
Tottenham fan Raama Subramaniyam, a 42-year-old who was also clad in his Spurs jersey, added: "I like the set-up of the live screening, it was well organised and the sound system was good. I just wish I had more friends and Spurs fans around me.
"It was quite a boring game, to be honest. The three-week break after the last Premier League game caused both teams' form to drop and they were both so cautious.
"Spurs attacked in the second half, but didn't convert (their chances), so hard luck to them and congratulations to Liverpool."
Pep Guardiola reveals what his Man City side MUST do to beat Liverpool in title race PEP GUARDIOLA told his City players to stay "calm" despite landing what looked a decisive blow in their
Pep Guardiola challenges Manchester City to beat Liverpool to
A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on February 08, 2019, with the headline 'Malcom shines in absence of other Barca stars'.
Malcom shines in absence of other Barca stars
Football: Improved Denis Suarez ready to make impact, say
Sport24.co.za | Man City still teenagers in adult world of Champions League - Guardiola • Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has again cast doubt on the Premier League champions' readiness to win the Champions League for the first time.
Football: Uefa panel to recommend Man City Champions League
FA Cup 2019: Manchester City set to face Watford in final at Wembley Stadium semifinal, Watford rallied for two goals down to beat Wolves 3-2 in extra time. After goals from Matt Doherty and
FA Cup semi final draw recap: Man City, Wolves, Brighton and
Zinedine Zidane's second spell as coach of Real Madrid got underway on Wednesday as the Frenchman took his first session at the club's training ground in Valdebebas. Zidane, who was unveiled as
Football: New coach Zinedine Zidane leads first training
sportsloveme.com/soccer/football-new-coach-zinedine-zidane-leads-first-training-session-since-return-to-real-madrid/
Football: New coach Zinedine Zidane leads first training session since return to Real Madrid 03/13/2019 Football' , La Liga , Real Madrid MADRID (AFP) - Zinedine Zidane's second spell as coach of Real Madrid got under way on Wednesday (March 13), as the Frenchman took his first session at the club's training ground in Valdebebas.
Primera División » News » Zidane leads first session since
Newcastle United beat Blackburn Rovers 4-2 after extra time while Championship side Stoke City threw away a two-goal lead as they suffered a shock 3-2 home defeat by third-tier Shrewsbury Town in FA Cup third-round replays on Tuesday.
Newcastle get extra-time win, Stoke fall to Shrews in Cup
Even if Guardiola expects more twists in the title race, City are exactly where they want to be for at least a few days - and having worked their way back from at least two worrying positions.
A lawyer for FIFA council member Mahfuza Akhter Kiron is set to file a petition in a Bangladesh court on Tuesday seeking bail for the official who has been arrested in a defamation case following
Bangladesh FIFA official arrested for 'defaming' PM Sheikh
cardiff skipper dedicates goal to sala Cardiff City captain Sol Bamba dedicated his goal and a 2-1 victory over Southampton to Emiliano Sala after an emotional match for the Welsh club. Round 38
I know Sala was watching - Bambav | FOX Sports Asia
Juventus' Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates scoring their first goal against Torino on May 3, 2019. (Reuters pic) TURIN: Cristiano Ronaldo headed a late equaliser to deny Torino their first win away
Soccer Extras: Late Ronaldo goal foils Torino - Rediff Sports
0 comments:
Post a Comment