Kolkata: It is midnight here. Those who are not interested in the World Cup, they may be in the land of sleep! Or busy with other work! The number of people who haven't caught World Cup fever may be small. And those who have fun in the World Cup? To wake up at night, a cup of tea or...! Banned in the Qatar stadium, but not in the room! England vs Wales match line-up may have got extra incentive to watch the match. Why not, there is Phil Fodden in the first eleven!
Was dropped as a substitute against Iran in the first match of the group. Foden did not get that chance in the last match against USA. England coach Gareth Southgate was heavily criticized. This time the World Cup in the middle of the season. He was consistently playing well in club football. Why is he not being given a chance! Not only that, Foden was a regular in the England team even before the World Cup. If so, why is it being put on the bench in Qatar? The press conference also had to face this question. The pressure was mounting on Southgate after the goalless draw against the USA. Southgate said before the Wales match, Foden will be played in the next matches.
Fodden started against Wales. Marcus Bashford, who was brought in as a substitute in the last two matches, was also brought in at the start. These two youngsters made a difference in the match. However, Kolkata was full of pride in the 51st minute. Phil Fodden scored. First goal on the World Cup stage. It feels a little wrong. It should be called the first goal in the World Cup for the senior team.
Just as Lionel Messi has a great relationship with Calcutta and Yuva Bharati sports, so does Fadden. Lionel Messi made his debut as the captain of Argentina at this Yuva Bharati Stadium in Kolkata. Since then, watching Messi play means that Kolkata moments flash before the eyes. Just as it is for Foden!
The year is 2017. World Cup in India. Be it under 17. Indian football fans were swept up in the tide of the World Cup. Indian football without Calcutta! England became the Under-17 World Cup champion in Yuva Bharati sports. From there the rise of Phil Fodden. At the end of the Youth World Cup final, many hands came out through the fencing of Yuva Bharati towards the field. A young footballer waiting to be touched. Foden was touched by many that day.
As a talented, up-and-coming star who had the chance to 'feel' Fadden, what is their state of mind now? What are they not thinking, this boy saw Yuva Bharati shaking from the gallery? After Fodden scored against Wales, did they think, 'Touch your hand one more time...'? Do they think, the way he won the Youth World Cup trophy in Yuva Bharati, on December 18, let Foden get a chance to lift the victory trophy once again?
That day is still far away. England has just made it to the last sixteen. In the end, whether England win the trophy or not, Calcutta is proud of Foden today.
