It was a walk down memory lane for spectators at the D Y Patil stadium in Navi Mumbai today with five FIFA legends showing their class and skills, with Spaniard Fernando Morientes netting four goals, as the legends team trounced an Indian outfit 5-4 in an exhibition match.
The 20-minute-match, in which the five legends - Morientes, Colombian great Carlos Valderrama, French World Cup winner Marcel Desailly, Mexican Jorge Campos and Nigerian Emmanuel Amuneke, took part, was hosted this afternoon to begin the 30-day countdown of the FIFA U-17 World Cup, which is being hosted by India from October 6.
The Indian mixed gender team comprised Steven Dias, Arjuna awardee Oinam Bembem Devi, Indian women's national team skipper Ngangom Bala Devi, two boys from Mission XI Million, Union minister Babul Supriyo and Bollywood filmmaker Shoojit Sircar, with Henry Menezes manning the goal.
But clearly Morientes, who played for top Spanish club Real Madrid in his impressive career, was the cynosure of all eyes as he troubled the opposition even at his age to score four splendid goals.
He opened the account by slotting home after receiving a pass from Valderrama and did not look back.
His pairing with Colombian great Valderrama also stood out during the first and the second half.
Mexican Campos, the custodian for the visitors, also donned the role of striker in the later half of the match.
Bala Devi's brace helped the Indian team to reduce the margin of defeat and her second goal shot from outside the box was cheered by the over 5,000-strong crowd. She also assisted in one of the four goals scored by the home team.
During the break, the official song for the U17 World Cup was played.
Maharashtra Sports Minister Vinod Tawde, AIFF General Secretary Kushal Das and Yuva Sena chief Aaditya Thackeray were among those present to witness the contest.
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