European football witnessed one of the crazy nights ever as Liverpool scripted perhaps the greatest comeback by thrashing Barcelona 4-0 at Anfield.
The crescendo reached Ireland as well as the Liverpool fans in Dublin had an extraordinary evening, celebrating until midnight.
Irish people generally do not follow cricket.
The sports-loving fraternity mainly follows the English Premier League and there are lots of Liverpool fans in Dublin.
There was an ODI match between Bangladesh and the West Indies going on Tuesday.
While returning on a taxi to the hotel after covering the game, I had a chat with the driver.
@LFC produced one of the greatest comebacks in @ChampionsLeague history to beat @FCBarcelona 4-0 Tuesday, overturning a three-goal first-leg deficit and advancing to the final with a 4-3 aggregate victory.https://t.co/siGuiougOW#LIVERPOOL #BARCELONA #UCL #FCB #LFC #UEFA #CL
— Dhaka Tribune Sports (@Sport_DT) May 8, 2019
When he heard that we are sports journalists, the driver asked whether we will follow Tuesday’s Champions League match between the Reds and the Catalans.
He said the match would start soon.
The sun was shining bright as it was still more than an hour left to sunset.
It seemed a bit unusual to me as a Bangladeshi football follower as generally, we watch Champions League matches after midnight back home.
After returning to the hotel and dropping off my laptop, I went outside to enjoy the evening in a busy happening place, Phibsborough.
It was almost 9pm, local time.
In the recent @ICC tournaments, @BCBtigers were perhaps the most improved side, and with the natural progression, the Tigers will be hoping to get even further in the @cricketworldcup in England and Wales, scheduled to start at the end of this month.https://t.co/Hik0Cli3Bg#BCB
— Dhaka Tribune Sports (@Sport_DT) May 8, 2019
The sun was setting and it was a beautiful evening in Dublin.
While walking in front of my airbnb apartment, I noticed that people were enjoying Liverpool’s game at the Doyel’s Corner, a renowned restaurant and pub in the heart of Phibsborough.
By that time, Liverpool’s Divock Origi had already scored the opener.
The spectators were watching the game and having drinks.
They were really excited as the game was enterprising.
It was an ideal place for football fans to enjoy the game.
@BCBtigers chased down their 262-run target with ease as they won by eight wickets against @windiescricket in their first one-day International of the tri-nation ODI series at Clontarf Cricket Ground in Dublin Tuesday.https://t.co/R1r4qV3Npd#BCBTIGERS #BCB #TIGERS #BANGLADESH
— Dhaka Tribune Sports (@Sport_DT) May 8, 2019
The spectators got really pumped up as Georginio Wijnaldum scored twice after coming on as a sub, in place of Andy Robertson.
And after Origi scored the winner, it was crazy scenes out there.
After the match ended, people were left wondering as to what they just saw.
I had a long chat with a Liverpool fan, who is around 60-65 years of age, about the Kop’s performance this season.
He said this Liverpool team can do the unthinkable under manager Jurgen Klopp.
He believes if not this season, then Liverpool will certainly win the league soon, and end their long wait.
When I was returning to my guesthouse, I heard some young fans talking about Liverpool.
Even when I went to a supershop to buy some snacks, the men in the counter were discussing about Liverpool’s performance without Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino.
Covering Bangladesh’s brilliant performance as a journalist in the ODI tri-nation series against the West Indies, and enjoying Liverpool’s stunning fightback in the Champions League semi-final second leg on big screen in a renowned Irish restaurant surrounded by football followers on a cold evening, certainly, it was a good evening spent.
