In the grand final of the Fifa World Cup Brazil 2014, Germany wins with a Mario Goetze goal in extra-time, after playing out a 0-0 draw with Argentina at the end of 90 minutes. Check out the fan reactions at the Singapore Sports Hub here.
It was 3am this morning and a cool breeze was blowing gently through the early morning air. It was definitely perfect weather to spend tucked up in bed.
But sleep was definitely the last thing on the minds of those gathered at the Singapore Sports Hub early this morning.
Germany triumph on Brazilian soil. (Image: reuters.co.uk)
Sports Hub hit by Fifa World Cup Final fever
Football fans at the Singapore Sports Hub.
That’s because Fifa World Cup fever had hit the new Singapore Sports Hub. It was screening the 2014 World Cup Final that we had been waiting for. The mean German machine was up against mighty Argentina and this had promised to be a mouth-watering clash for football supporters and neutrals alike.
42-year-old Namdev Singh had been one of those who had made his way down to the Sports Hub – for the atmosphere.
Said the airport documents officer who supports Argentina, “I have heard that the Sports Hub is amazing, with wonderful people, crowds and a huge screen. So I decided to check it out – and it was really an amazing atmosphere.”
And Germany supporter and civil servant Kelvin Wu, 26, agreed, “I came to the Sports Hub this morning, because I enjoy being with a crowd. The atmosphere here is fantastic, compared to other locations such as the Community Centres. You can really hear the crowd roar.”
Mario Goetze, Germany’s latest hero. (Image: straits times.com)
The crowd is similar to that in Germany
For German-born Wilhelm Ching, who is witnessing his first World Cup tournament in Singapore, the atmosphere at the Singapore Sports Hub more than met his expectations.
The 31-year-old scientist, who has lived in Singapore for the past one-and-a-half years, said, “This definitely comes close to what we have in Germany, where we can have up to 100,000 people watching football together at the same spot.
“I have been to Clarke Quay to catch games already. But even though there are more Germans at the bars there, they are too crowded. So I came here.
“It’s a very different feeling at today’s Sports Hub screening, with fans from so many countries united in their passion for football. But I think it is really exciting.”
Don’t cry for me, Argentina.
120 Minutes of Laboured Football
But despite the sheer excitement and fervour of the fans, it took almost 120 minutes of laboured football for the ball to finally hit the back of the net. As there were no goals during the 90 minutes of regulation time, an additional half an hour was added – so that a winner could be crowned.
Quite a few chances were missed – and the ball just did not want to go into the net.
Said 29-year-old executive and Germany fan Kim Chua on the score-line, “At the beginning, Germany didn’t really perform well and they missed a lot of chances. I felt that Argentina was attacking more, but they could not take their chances, either.”
Added Singh, “I think that Argentina was trying to frustrate the German machine during the game – by being compact in defence and in dragging the match into extra time. Their aim had been to break the German confidence.”
At least there’s a consolation prize for Messi – the Golden Ball award. (Image: straitstimes.com)
Wonder goal by Mario Goetze sealed the extra-time win for the Germans
We didn’t have to endure the lottery of penalties this time round though, unlike what La Albiceleste had put us all through during their semi-final game with the Dutch. A wonder-goal by substitute Mario Goetze this morning, sealed the win for Die Mannschaft in the dying seconds of extra time. After 120 minutes of football, the game finished 1-0, to the Germans.
And one of the gleeful Germans was 29-year-old Maik Goetze, who ironically shares his surname with his nation’s latest hero. Quipped Goetze, who works in sales ,“Yes, that’s really my name!”
This German fan is not related to the goal-scorer, though!
Goetze, who has lived in Singapore since 2011, was completely over the moon about his country’s Fifa World Cup win.
And unable to contain his joy, he shouted gleefully, “It was an awesome game – but very tense and technical, though. Argentina was good in defending, but our passing was good and we had opportunities – and now we have finally made the breakthrough and did it! We have waited 24 years for this moment, and now it is here!”
Fans of La Albiceleste accepted the defeat gracefully
Fans of La Albiceleste though, were understandably disappointed – but many accepted their defeat gracefully.
Said 28-year-old sales promoter Alan Yeo, “I’m a die-hard Argentina fan so I think Argentina should have won! But I admit that Germany performed very well today. Argentina tried their best, but it was just not their day.”
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