Way to Go, SSPP FC

It seems that the soccer gods have finally smiled upon the SSPP FC players and its fans. Skeptics may have already written them off, naysayers may have already predicted their downfall and sounded their death knell even before their first match. But the tables may just have turned this time, just maybe.

It’s that time of the year again when the whole Northeast community in Delhi is gripped by the soccer fever. With the World Cup 2010 falling in the same calendar year, the 4th edition of the Northeast Tamchon Memorial Tournament, organized by the Tangkhul Naga Society, Delhi began on the 4th December, 2010. It has again generated much heat and excitement. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that football or soccer is synonymous with the Northeast people. Whenever there is a football match in the capital city, whether national or international matches, the Northeast youths thronged the matches.

Among the teams participating in the Tamchon Memorial Tournament, the team that has the largest number of fans is the Siamsinpawlpi Football Club (SSPP FC), under the Siamsinpawlpi, Joint Headquarters, Delhi. Its fans outnumbered even that of the organizers, the Wung United (Tangkhuls). They turned out in huge numbers-young and old, students and working professionals; and cheered their team. They were loud and noisy in a harmless way. Whenever SSPP FC plays the crowd is so huge that it looks like the final match of the tournament is being played.

But unfortunately, the SSPP FC which has no dearth of talent in its ranks, has never made it to the knockout stages of the tournament in its previous three editions. But that hasn’t dampened the moods of the majority of its fans. They turned out in huge numbers, as usual, on the 4th December, 2010, to watch and cheer their team in the opening match of the 4th Tamchon Memorial Tournament at Ambedkar Stadium. A little bit of fear, skepticism and apprehension were writ large on their faces but they turned out in huge numbers nonetheless. That is the beauty of being an SSPP FC fan. You cheer for your team. No matter what. You win. You lose. You are there for your team.

When the SSPP anthem was played, the crowd rose in unison and sang along. Sadly though, the song was not played in full. The opening match between the defending champions of last year’s edition, the Wung United and SSPP FC started at around 4.40 pm. As one looked around, it wasn’t hard to miss the mood of the SSPP FC fans. It was a mixture of fear, or rather apprehension, and hope. Fear that they might return home disappointed again, though the team never lack in skills, creativity and talent. Somehow, somewhere, something seemed to have gone wrong and they just couldn’t come up with a win. There was also a glimmer of hope that somehow they will find the magic formula this time. But fear and apprehension was palpable. That’s excusable when you are playing the defending champions and when lady luck seemed to have dumped you in all your previous matches.

At half-time, the scoreboard read 0-0. The match was keenly and evenly contested. The defence, which was the weakest link last year, did a very good job this time. But it seems that the midfield, considered to be the team’s strength, is in a disarray. They hardly controlled the game, and created very few chances. In the second half, more chances were created by both the sides. The game became more physical and the crowd became more noisy and loud. Night fell and the lights shone in the Ambedkar Stadium. But still there were no goals. As the referee blew the final whistle, the score line still read 0-0. All in all, the defending champions seemd to be the better team. They had more possession and created more chances. For the SSPP FC team, it was the goalkeeper and the defence that saved the day for them. The saves and timely interventions by the goalkeeper, Thuamkhanmang, was really commendable and he deserved to be declared man of the match. For the SSPP FC fans, he was their hero. The players didn’t disappoint their fans this time. They played with confidence. With Conviction. And with enthusiasm till the final whistle. That’s a delightful watch. In the past, the fans were always overconfident and the players nervous. But this time it’s the other way round. The players played confidently but it’s the fans who, in their earnestness to see their team win, were getting jittery.

Though the match was a goalless draw, for the SSPP FC fans, it’s no less than winning. They had equalized with the defending champions. That gave them hope. They went in droves to congratulate the team and the managers. And the apprehension and skepticism before and during the match were replaced by smiles and hope. They went back with satisfaction .

The next day, the 5th December, 2010 the SSPP FC fans began trickling into the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium before noon. To cheer for their team. Again. Though it was a Sunday, a day of rest and worship, the crowd was huge. Towards the start of the match. one can see many elders and families, who are conspicuous by their absence the day before. Maybe they were busy or maybe they couldn’t bear to see their team lose and didn’t come the day before. But today, they came in droves. Maybe excited by the results of the first match.

The match between SSPP FC and Sikkim FC, which was supposed to start at 2:30 pm, was delayed and started only at around 4:30 pm. It was SSPP FC who drew first blood through their captain, David Ngaihte in the third minute. Right from starting whistle, it was SSPP FC all the way. It seemed that the Sikkim players were chasing shadows. The defence was rock solid, the midfield controlled the game and possession and the strikers were fast and agile. Two more goals within a span of ten minutes and the SSPP FC players and fans knew that this was going to be their day. The crowd was roaring in delight. The drums got louder and the humming of vuvuzelas can be heard. It reminded one of the FIFA World Cup 2010 in South Africa. The score line at half time was 4-0. The SSPP FC drilled three more goals into their opponent’s net in the second half. David Ngaihte scored five goals and Pausiam Valte and Michael Chongthu scored a goal each. The man of the match was clearly David Ngaihte. The Sikkim defence didn’t know how to deal with the raging striker as he scored goal after goal. The players and fans went back happy and contented.

As the match ended the delightful fans could be seen beating the drum and singing the SSPP Anthem at the top of their voices. A group of fans were heard shouting near/to the players “Aw khatvei bek second round ah”. Will the SSPP FC players be able to fulfill the wish of their fans this time? Definitely. They could even do better, if they continue playing with the same spirit, confidence and team work. But only time will tell.

Cheers to the team, the managers and the fans.

Go, SSPP FC, Go.