Rinku Singhexperienced his first live football match at Old Trafford, where he watched the Manchester derby between Manchester United and Manchester City in the Premier League. The occasion marked a turning point for the cricketer, who had previously followed football only through television broadcasts. Singh found the atmosphere and energy inside the iconic stadium to be profoundly different from watching on screen.
The experience gave Singh a deeper understanding of the sport and the passion that
supporters bring to a live match. He observed how the crowd's reaction to goals and special moments created an energy that could only be felt when present at the venue. Singh spoke about his experience and how it shaped his growing interest in football.
"I consider myself lucky because I got to watch a match between City and United. I was very lucky to be there and watch the match at such a time. It was the first live football match of my life, and it was a completely different feeling altogether. I realised what it feels like to watch a football match live in a stadium." Singh said on JioStar.
"I had only watched matches on TV before, so it felt really good to be there. I loved the vibe. The way the entire crowd supports the team when a goal is scored, or a player does something special, the crowd screams out. That is something you really feel and experience when you are there at the stadium," he added.
How Nitish Rana introduced Rinku Singh to football
During the match, Singh found himself drawn towards Manchester City as the game progressed. He observed that Manchester United were not performing at their best during the encounter, while City appeared to be the stronger side at that point. This observation highlighted how watching football live can shift a viewer's perspective compared to following the sport from home.
"Yes, I found myself supporting City a little bit as the match went on. United weren’t playing that well, while City were looking better at the time," Singh said.
Nitish Rana played a crucial role in introducing Singh to football and helping him understand how to follow the game properly. Singh credited Rana for his initial interest in becoming a Manchester United supporter. The connection between the two cricketers extended beyond the cricket field, with Rana sharing his passion for football with Singh and guiding him through the sport's nuances.
"I wanted to know a little bit about football. The entire world watches football, so I wanted to understand the game a bit. Earlier, I was a United fan, and I still am to some extent, because of Nitish Rana bhai," Singh said.
"He introduced me to football and showed me how to watch the game. From there, my interest in football grew a bit. And Rana bhai is a United fan, so I used to spend time with him, and watching him, I became a fan of United," he added.
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Singh identified specific Manchester United players who have captured his attention and admiration. He expressed his appreciation for their qualities and the way they perform on the pitch. His growing knowledge of the game has allowed him to appreciate different aspects of player performance and their contributions to the team.
"I really like Marcus Rashford. I’ve followed him a lot, so he's my favourite. And when it comes to composure, I think Bruno Fernandes. He stays very calm, plays very calmly, keeps strolling on the pitch, and when the ball arrives, he instantly scores a goal or does whatever is needed on the pitch," Singh said.
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