Shillong: Football fans across Meghalaya are burning the midnight oil to catch the FIFA World Cup. Time zones across North America mean matches kick off late at night. Most fans are happy to swap sleep for the pitch. Streets in Shillong are filled with jerseys and flags.
Larsing M. Sawyan, owner of Shillong Lajong Football Club, sees the fatigue as a minor trade-off. "The World Cup comes only once every four years. Missing a little sleep is a small price to pay," he said. He now tracks Argentina, Spain, and France, noting that the tournament generates unmatched local excitement.
MFA president Hamletson Dohling says the event has upended daily routines. Many fans now nap during the day to survive the long nights. Work schedules and study habits have shifted to accommodate the games. Fans gather at home or the state-sponsored Football Fan Park in Polo to watch the action.
Underdog nations are the surprise of the tournament. Many viewers point to the performance of Cabo Verde as a high point of the competition. Students and workers alike are balancing their duties with the tournament calendar. Despite the exhaustion, local supporters argue that the thrill of the games justifies every sleepless hour.
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