Saturday, 19 July 2015 for several reasons will remain Super Saturday for me, a person who has few passions- good food, most sports, two sons and now my all time dream destination MCG. It was our Eid day. The long day started for me when our younger son Avro came very early at 7 AM to drive me to Doncaster Ummah Mosque for Eid Prayer.

Like different countries of the world, Melbourne Muslims also failed to take unanimous decision for celebrating Eid on the same day. Part of the community performed on day before of Friday. It was a great feeling anyway as I had no opportunity to go to Eid prayer with Avro after 2006.
 
Rozy was also equally excited as me to have Avro spending Eid with us after several years. She for her post heart surgery rehabilitation process sleeps till midday under influence of several high dose strong antibiotics. But love of the children is so great that she kept wake entire night till early morning cooking delicious meal for us. By the time we got back we had mutton biriyani, beef curry and chicken roast.

 My friends who know me are well aware of my appetite for delicacies. For a day I thought my meal restrictions as type two diabetic patients should be kept out of the window. Consumed which usually can feed at least 6-8 persons. Had 6 pieces of half chicken roasts and about four serves of biriyani (I am sure my dearest friend Chory will love to know).

The day was very cold with temperature going down every hour. After Avro left, I wrote my regular cricket column for Banglanews 24.com “Eid Mubarak Tigers.” My heart keeps bleeding as I miss the celebrations of the recent cricket achievements of Bengal tigers.
Evening at MCG
I had to prepare myself for travelling to MCG for the massive football match between two top teams of European League – Real Madrid of Spain and AS Roma of Italy. Before league starts every year, European league giants travel to China, Japan or USA for preseason practice giving the team management an opportunity of checking their formations and team combinations. Audi Australia this time sponsored the International Champions Cup Australia at Melbourne Victoria giving Australians a rare opportunity for watching three European Soccer Giants Real Madrid, Manchester City and AS Roma.

I checked Melbourne weather forecast. It forecasted for temperature going below 0 degree with the possibility of frost and snowflakes. I was wrapped up from tip to toe, as I had to avail public transports- Bus and Train to MCG. A capacity crowd was expected.

Since 2005, I have not missed any major sporting event happening at Iconic MCG. When Audi Australia sponsored the Intercontinental Champions Cup, Australia last year involving Real Madrid, Manchester City and AS Roma had to ensure that we do not miss the golden opportunity of watching several modern day football legends in flesh at magical “G”.

Our eldest son Shahriar Shuvro an ardent admirer of La Liga, Europa, Chelsea and Barcelona immediately booked three tickets for us at vintage section of MCG at Ponsford gate entry. But Shuvro now works in Brisbane and lives there with his recently married wife. Our other son Shafayet Avro has jobs in other part of the city and he has to regularly travel between Sydney and Melbourne. He is also a globe trotter now and had already witnessed major soccer matches in Madrid, Rome and London. He could be with me but at the last moment, he had to fly to Sydney on Saturday afternoon. I shared my tickets with Sharif Russel and Tajuddin two young Bangladeshis living in Melbourne who are also great sports fans.
 


I am not Real Madrid follower. In soccer, my team is Brazil, Mohamedan Sporting and Manchester United. Unfortunately all seem to be shadow of their past now. But presence of Cristiano Ronaldo (a darling of Red Devils once) made me cheer for Real.  The very strong Italian Community in Melbourne was Roma followers and they came with drums, musical instruments and made the pre match build up very entertaining. They were all around us.

The Magic of “The G”
“The G” has hosted 107 cricket tests, two ICC World Cup Finals, 110VFL/AFL grand finals, State of Origin rugby league, Bledisloe Cup rugby union, 1956 Olympic Games and 2006 Commonwealth Games. In a city where sports are a religion, The MCG is its cathedral. It has been since 1853.

We were lucky to have our seats under cover in the chilly evening at vintage spot right behind the goal post. We could have closer looks at players getting into the ground for warming up and the start and finish of the match.

Just to give the readers a feeling of what kind of contest was in store please have a look at the squad

AS ROMA:
FRANCISCO  TOTTI, DANIELLE DE ROSSI , MIRALEM PJANIC, ALDEM LJAIC, MORGAN DE SANCTIS, ALLESANDRO FLORENZI, MAPOU YANGA-MBIWA, JUAN ITURBE, MAICON , JOSE CHOLEVAS, SYDOU KEITA, RADJA NAINGGOLAN,KEVIN STROOTMAN, ASHLEY COLE , LEONARD CASTAIN , VASILEIOS TOROSIDIS, KONSTANTINOS MANOLAS, LEADRO PAREDES,SALIH UCAN, DANIELE VERDE, I. BOGDAN LOBONT, VICTOR IBARBO, ANTONO SANABRIA

MANAGER: RUDI GARCIA

REAL MADRID:
I INKER CASILLIAS, SERGIO RAMOS, CHRISTIANO RONALDO, KARIM BENZAMA, JAMES RODRIGUEZ, GARTEH BALE, TONI KROSS, LUCA MORDIC, PEPE, RAPHAEL VERNE, MARCELLO, ISCO, DANI CARVAJAL, ALVARO ARBELDA, ASIER ILLARRAMENDI, JESE, FABIO COENTRAO, NACHO, LUCAS SILVA, FERNANDO PACHECO, KEYLOR NAVAS , MARTIN ODEGAARD

MANAGER: RAFAEL BENITEZ

It was galaxy football superstars and few all time legends. Most of the interest was focused on two players – the man from another planet the Portuguese legend Cristaino Ronaldo and Italian superstar II Redi of Roma or The King of Rome Francisco Totti.

Don Bradman, Shane Warne, Dennis Lillee, Sachin Tendulkar, Brain Lara, IVA Richards. Garfield Sobers, Imran Khan, Ron Baressi, Wayne Carey, Leigh Matthews, Betty Cathbert, Andrew Johns, Jon Eales, Michael Jackson, Paul McCartney, Queen Elizabeth II and Pope John Paul II graced MCG. When CR 7 Cristiano Ronaldo and Francisco Totti entered the coliseum their names were added to elite group of mega stars.

The Match:
The match being of preseason warm up natured practice match did not reach the level of competitive flavor .But the class, quality and professionalism were plenty in display. There were some magical moments from CR7 moving freely like a buzzing bird, relaxing mostly. But as soon as the ball reached his feet his galloping run down the flank or cutting the strong Roma defence with vintage crosses, chips and through balls for his mates were superb. His solo dash and some dummies underlined his brilliance. He was taken off after a while and another superstar Gareth Bale was seen displaying his brand of magic. Roma defence marshaled by Micon and Asley Cole appeared better organized. Francisco Totti had some magical touches .But 38 years old veteran was taken off after a while. Maicon was definitely the player of the match.
 
The accurate passing, ball control, attacks and counter attacks of both teams entertained the near capacity crowd on the chilly evening. There were all elements in the game but not the all-important goals and perhaps the players were also not very keen for it given the friendly nature of the encounter. No professional can risk the possibility of over stressing and getting injured.

The 90 minutes scheduled time ended 0-0. Then per rules of the championship the match went straight to penalty shoot outs. Where the first pairs of five strikes each still kept it 5 -5. Both teams scored from 6th strikes also. All the goals were pieces of beauty. Real Missed the seventh but Roma scored. Roma won 7-6 on penalty shootout. Perhaps, justice done as Roma had some edge over the proceeding and got more clear opportunities.

Magical MCG is such a well-designed sporting venue can 86,500 fans could get out and disperse safely without any chaos in less than half an hour. Many other venues could witness chaos, stampede and what not.  Tram, trains, buses kept the people going to all parts of the city immediately. It was about 09: 30 PM when match was over. We waited in the queue for buying some souvenirs. Then walked to Flinder Streets Railway station. Could feel the chill as temperature was dropping down sharply. Luckily I was well wrapped up. Added the jacket of Real Madrid on top.

In the train met a young Spanish couple visiting Melbourne for the first time. They travelled all the way from Madrid for the match and were staying at a backpacker motor in Mitcham. They speak good English. I had to tell them where they should go during their weeklong stay in Melbourne. I suggested them to visit Philip Island for Penguin Parade and Great Ocean Drive for 12 apostles. They were also interested for a ride on Puffing Billy.

I reached Ringwood station at around 11: 45 PM. The last train reaching the old station. From the next day till the renovated station is ready no train will move to and fro from my neighborhood station. Had to wait for bus for a while .When reached home the Super Saturday already went into history living behind some legacies.

The next match between Roma and Manchester United is on Tuesday the 20 July. Hopefully will be free in going there as well.  But would have loved my friends Chory, Khalid and Yazdani along with me at MCG. Gone were those days in 1970s watching Dhaka Football league matches every afternoon.

BDST: 1141 HRS, JULY 19, 2015
RS