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report THE NEW INDIAN EXPRESS, CHENNAI
FRIDAY, APRIL 18, 2008
clothes and accessories, so getting her
the official club jersey, or a scarf is a
good way to spark an interest.
■ Gossip. Well, we do gossip as much as
women (though we would never admit
it) so why not use it to our advantage?
football
Share the latest football gossip with
She loves her, stories about the players, their
girlfriends and personal lives. This one
alone is enough to get her to follow the
me, she game for months. For instance Ashley
Cole’s infidelity and subsequent reac-
hates tions by wife Cheryl Cole had done the
rounds in the tabloids for close to two
months.
Finally, just when she begins to take
interest, don’t scare her off with impor-
tant matches and intense concentra-
tion requirements. Get her to enjoy the
season by involving her in a light game
or two, or perhaps even pick up a bright-
ly coloured football as a memento.
season special
E can spend hours over a game of football —
playing, watching, reading and discussing it.
On the other hand, for most women, having to
watch grown men chase a ball for hours is,
well… simply not fun. Guys, I sympathise, as
I believe that football is one of the simpler
sports to follow and the general impression is
that getting a woman’s interest in the game is
next to impossible. But as every problem has
a solution, I give you mine.
■ Getting your girl to like an activity is a lot Finding a parallel
easier than you can imagine. You don’t have
to insist on her watching matches at Nehru ■ Like dancing, football also involves deft move-
Stadium or staying awake all night to catch ments, while staying in sync with your partner
Champions League Football action. Instead, (the other players). No wonder Latin American
take her for a romantic drive to the ECR and players are so good.
start with a friendly game, one on one. Slowly ■ European footballers are meticulous planners.
work your way up and teach her the basic To them, the game is as good as any European
rules. But remember, always let her win. masterpiece, with work going into different
Women love winning! parts of the ‘canvas’.
■ Discuss hairstyles. Yes, I know you don’t ■ Like a two-course meal, the game’s also split
care two hoots about which player’s wife does and consists of some quick bites in each half. This
what to her face, but it could be a great conver- symbolises the strategy of the diligent Asian and
sation starter. If that sounds effeminate, try Australian teams.
getting her into the spirit of the game by shar- ■ Good performances are rewarded and fouls
ing little anecdotes about its tradition, songs are penalised. African players can be quick yet
and success stories. Also, women love rough at times.
Game on: along East Coast Road
Amateur matches DESPITE being known as the ‘city of crick-
et’ time and again, Chennai, surprisingly,
and games are a has a growing football community.
regular sight along the Amateur matches and games are a regular
sight along the East Coast Road and there
East Coast Road. are organised club matches that take place
often. However, most of these clubs oper-
Check out the Sunday ate as a tight clique and getting into one is
matches on Bessie not all that easy. Our advice: check out the
Sunday matches on the Bessie Beach
Beach or drive to the (Elliots Beach to the uninitiated), usually
played between 5 and 7 pm, join a team and
Kovalam Beach for a take your journey into beach football from
there. Don’t forget to pack a sturdy pair of
quick game sneakers, because these games do get
rough.
■ Kovalam Beach: Yes, it is a tad far off, but
then it’s worth the drive. Saturday
evenings and early Sunday mornings find
at least two-three teams practicing their
SAVE THIS
Madras Motor Sports
moves on the sand. Also popular in this ball fan. Large open grounds, a good view Club is at 123/1, T T K Road,
area — ‘beach football’, a game that com- of the sea and the water just a stone’s throw Alwarpet; contact 2499 0998
bines the rules of volleyball and football. make this very tempting indeed.
■ Private beaches: ‘‘We usually just park
our car and find one of those vacant plots — Vinay Dora
for a short game,’’ says Rajiv S, a big foot- indulge@epmltd.com
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