By Jugjet Singhjugjet@nst.com.my
COMMENT
FOR the majority of Malaysians, the World Cup was officially over after their favourite teams crashed out, and it was back to work, as tedious as it might sound, after almost a month of dreaming.
I have always failed to understand why most of my journalist friends support England, but respect their decision nevertheless, as many Malaysians also support Brazil, Ar gentina, France and Italy -- all because Malaysian soccer is still stuck in kindergarten league.
I didn’t need to go out for opinions as fellow journalist Arnaz M. Khairul said the Malaysian men can’t even qualify for the women’s World Cup, while soccer writer Ajitpal Singh said we can’t even beat the Japanese Under-18 team.
There is so much of passion among soccer supporters in the country, but none is projected towards their own team for obvious reasons.
At the watering holes, including teh-tarik joints, fans poured out their emotions when England was brushed aside by Germany, then Brazil was shown the exit by Netherlands and Argentina made to look like novices by Germany.
Many could still not come to terms that Italy and France were not among the semi-finalists.
I didn’t see anybody decking up with Uruguay attire, and even though they are in the last four, they will not find many supporters here when they square off against Netherlands on Wednesday.
Germany, who finished third at home in 2006, and are the best prepared team so far, do not seem to ignite passion among soccer lovers here.
They are seen as emotionless, and even though we love their car, but hate their tendency to work like their well- known car engine.
When Argentina played Germany, I was lucky to share a table at the mamak stall with a group of teenagers as I arrived minutes before kick-off and all the good spots were already taken.
All of them cheered for Argentina, and became angrier and angrier as Germany kept on scoring.
And at half-time, a girl in the group was heard lamenting: “I am going to keep on supporting Argentina no matter what happens because they have such a sweet blue jersey. I hate the Germans, they have such a sinister black jersey!
The remark would have been hilarious if not for the fact that she would have been supporting the golden-yellow jersey of the Malaysian team, and not some foreign country, had they been good enough to qualify.
I was very angry when Arnaz and Ajitpal made the remarks, but they were only speaking the truth. So, lets look forward to Rio de Janeiro 2014, where I will wear the German jersey, for I am now their true believer.
