Football is the most popular game in the world. It is so widespread because of its simple rules, compared to some other sports, because of less infrastructure and equipment needed, you only need a ball and will to play in streets. For those who know the game it is a feast to eyes. The dribbling, passing, heading, sliding tackles everything has beauty in it. But most of all, football is popular because of the joy and happiness that can bring to players and spectators.
The rapid growth of football has turned the game into a business, it is getting less and less about emotions and love and more and more about money.
This is a story about clash between modern and traditional football.
Year is 2002. World Cup in South Korea and Japan is in progress. A Dutch fan, Mathijs de Jongh, disappointed with the failure of Dutch national team, decides to organize a match between two lowest ranked national teams, on the same day when 2002 World Cup final was held. A match between Montserrat and Bhutan.
Montserrat, peaceful Caribbean island, with 5000 inhabitants, had only two victories at that time, in their history. Montserrat had also suffered other misfortunes, when the Soufriere Hills erupted, in 1997, causing 2/3 of population to permanently leave the island. In the following years Montserrat was struggling to recover after that catastrophe.
Bhutan, small Himalayan country, had no victories in their football history, at that time.
The match was not as easily arranged as might initially be thought, because this match was being arranged by private individuals rather than by the relevant football federations. Both sides thought that the idea was unrealistic in the beginning and had little knowledge of each other's countries.
Bhutan was selected to host the match, which was logical choice, because only football stadium in Montserrat was destroyed in volcano eruption.
Montserrat's trip to Bhutan was really interesting, they had to travel by boat to Antigua, then by plane to Curacao, then to Amsterdam, Bangkok, Kolkata and finally Thimphu, Bhutan's capital.
Upon their arrival, the atmosphere in Bhutan was euphoric, everyone was talking about the football.
Not everything went well for this event, Montserrat's coach resigned just before the travel, so they came to Bhutan without a coach, and Bhutan's coach suddenly passed away just days before the match.
Also, the match was FIFA-recognized so it had to be officiated by FIFA referees. Of course, at that time there was no FIFA referees in Bhutan, so international referees had to be provided.
In order to overcome these difficulties, organizers contacted Adidas and Nike, the biggest manufacturers of sports equipment, but they completely ignored their call, and took no part in sponsoring this historical event.
Also, some of the worldwide newspapers wrote about this match with underestimation, and labeled the match 'the worst match ever', obviously not understanding the point of sports and football.
Despite all problems, organizers managed to provide funds necessary for match to be held. Match was officiated by Englishman Steve Bennett.
Changlimithang stadium in Thimphu, 15 000 spectators.
The result was not important, but Bhutan dominated the match and won 4-0, mostly because of high altitude at which the match was played, and Montserratians were not used to those weather conditions.
It was first ever win for Bhutan, and first time in history they managed to keep clean sheet.
Of course, there was one winner at the end of the match, but there were two winners in terms of developing football and keeping the real spirit of the game.
Documentary movie, called 'The other final' followed the story from the beginning to the end, and both teams in their match preparation, and is available on Youtube.com.
