PANAJI
Maymol Rocky needs no introduction to women’s football in India. Her contribution to the country as an international and a coach since her playing days culminated has been immense. As is anyone else across the football spectrum, the India women’s team coach is eagerly looking forward to the FIFA World Cup 2018 Russia starting in the next few days.
“I am super excited for the biggest soccer party on the planet, just waiting for it to begin,” the first woman to coach the national women’s team stated. “Apart from the all-time favourites, Argentina’s Messi and Portugal’s Ronaldo, the Egyptians look tougher with Mo Salah coming strong. The Uruguayan team too is capable of stealing the show this year with Luis Suarez in their ranks,” the former India international further revealed on her impressions of the forthcoming quadrennial showpiece.
“All teams have practised hard in order to give in their best. Everyone comes with a positive attitude. In the end one team wins the title,” the 33-year-old added hinting that no team could be taken lightly.
To Maymol, nothing is more pulsating to watch than football’s biggest tournament. “The World Cup has always been my favourite tournament. My love for football started when I watched my first World Cup in 2002. We all have some great World Cup memories. Every World Cup gives me some great moments,” the A–license holder India Women’s team coach stated.
Speaking further, Maymol mentioned that every World Cup gave her some great moments to cherish. But her earliest memory came from the first World Cup she watched. “I always remember the England versus Brazil 2002 encounter. It was a great game where both teams could have won. It was one fine game with Ronaldhino goal putting that free kick into the top corner serving my earliest memory of the World Cup,” Maymol gushed.
No one can forget the 2006 World Cup match between France and Italy decided on penalties. Though she singles out the match as a World Cup favourite, she cannot forget the unsavoury incident with Zinedine Zidane (France) head-butting Marco Materazzi (Italy). “Little did we know at that time that these two players were about to be involved in one of the most controversial moments in the history of sport,” she added.
To her every match this edition promises a lot of action and cannot be favored over another to watch at the Group stages. “Every match played at the World Cup will be exciting to watch and this year it is even more convenient for us because the time is suitable and the best so I will be enjoying every action in play,” she exclaimed.
The Kerala-born former footballer has an interesting take on the footballers to look out for this edition. “The World Cup brings more joy to the game of football when you see young and new faces tackle their skills and score for the country. Like Neymar did it for Brazil and he became the most watchable player. This year we can expect the same from Thomas Muller (Germany), Harry Kane (England) and Eden Hazard (Belgium),” the seventh person to coach the India women’s team predicted.
“Russia has been given an opportunity to host the world’s greatest events like the World Cup in spite of the racism controversy. I think taking up this challenge where the game of football unites different countries to play by the true spirit of sportsmanship is note-worthy,” Maymol applauded.
“I think this World Cup will not be missed by any football lover as the timings are very much suitable especially for the Indian fans. I wish the best teams reach the finals and give us a power-packed, full on entertainment,” the endearing face of India Women’s football concluded.
