Where can you see the World Cup in Ahmedabad?

Ahmedabad: Though there is a lot of Cricket following in the city there are still a handful of soccer fans scattered all over Ahmedabad who would love to gather up and watch the world’s biggest sporting event. Here, I have made a list of the best places in Ahmedabad where you can watch the beautiful game.

The Veni Vichi Restaurant (Sardar Patel Ring Road)

Out of the city, open air, garden restaurant and a special arrangement for the FIFA World Cup: what else does an ‘Amdavadi’ soccer fan need more than that? With a standard multi-cuisine menu and pleasant atmosphere, driving out of the city is an ideal way for you to enjoy the event. Special arrangements for the World Cup include a large screen and fascinating mocktails. Make sure you book your garden table well-in-advance to enjoy the world’s biggest sporting event in Ahmedabad.

The Ozone Hookah Lounge (S.G. Highway)

Word around is that they serve the best Hookah in Ahmedabad with all genres of music being played regularly including hip-hop, trance, techno and more. A famous theme-based hang out for youngsters which brings out a moderate bill for more than its worth of fun, this is the place you want to be at if you love your music as much as watching Rooney bang one in.

Tc’s Lounge (Ellis Bridge)

Popular with college students and young executives because of its moderate pricing, TC’s is an ideal place to gather up and watch the world cup on a large screen TV as you sip your milkshake or enjoy your Sheesha with some of your friends. A large variety of eatables ranging from Indian to Mexican (China and Italy come in between) makes it a perfectly hippy place to hang out at.

Detour Café (Vastrapur)

One of the newest café’s in Ahmedabad, Detour is a good place to catch up with friends and the creative art interiors can really amaze you. With large LCD’s for viewing the matches, Detour also provides its customers with a Wi-Fi service. A small cover-charge is to be paid to enter the café which can be reimbursed to buy food or goodies inside. Be it the world cup or just some good old internet surfing, Detour is one of the best places in Ahmedabad for you to unwind and relax.

Detour Cafe (ahmedabad burrp com)

The Chocolate Room (Navrangpura)

Go here with your family or go here with your friends. The Chocolate Room has come out with a unique chocolate-theme-based culture in Ahmedabad. One of the very few places in Ahmedabad to serve alcohol, The Chocolate Room is a certain hit from those coming from outside the state. One can play scrabble or Chess while having their milk-flavored Chocolate Melting pot or can even lie down on the couch while watching Messi put one through past Cesar. In all, The Chocolate Room is an ideal place where you can sit for hours and hours and enjoy your game.

-Pranav Mukul

Also Published HERE

WHO WILL REPLACE THE SCOT?

Sir Alex Ferguson; not just a name but an era for Manchester United. An era which defined the club's success more than anything in its history. There were ups and downs in this era but fans and critics could only remember the good times of this era.

He came from Aberdeen to make a mark. Had he not won the F.A. Cup in 1990 against Crystal Palace, the world would have not been acquainted to the mighty Scot. Then started the war for the best football club in the world with Sir Alex leading the Red Army. Promoting more players from the youth rather than spending money only helped him stabilize the club both on and off the pitch. David Beckham, Paul Scholes, Gary Neville and others started off with a might. In 1993, the club won its 1st double winning both The Premier league and the F.A. Cup. and then the double in 1996. After that came the historic treble in 1999 where United won The Premier League, The F.A. Cup and The Champions League(for the 1st time under Ferguson). With 24 years of astonishing service to the club, now the Scot considers retiring owing to his age. Will the most adaptable club in the world be able to adapt a new manager and still continue with their mighty run? Who are the best candidates for filling in the Scot's shoes? Will they be able to keep up with Sir Alex's credibility?

5. Martin O'Neill (Aston Villa)

A healthy and well speculated replacement for the Scot, Martin O'Neill has had a powerful spell at Aston Villa. He has even beaten United in a few games over the past couple of seasons. A master tactician, he has led Villa to The English League cup final too. He has won the Premier League ‘Manager Of The Month’ award four times since he joined Aston Villa in 2006. He narrowly missed out on a Champions League spot this year and if he stays on at the club, European football may not be too far away.

4. David Moyes (Everton)

Another manager speculated to take over Manchester United after Sir Alex Fergusonhangs his boots. He has taken Everton to great heights since his appointment. He has managed to qualify for the Europa league and even qualified for the Champions League back in 2005. His squad beat Manchester United in the F.A. Cup to reach the finals against Chelsea two years ago. He has an impressive 42.41% win rate at Everton with his current crop of players and a stronger and better Manchester United squad will no doubt guarantee him a better record. He was even tipped by Sir Alex himself as his successor at United back in April this year. His wish is to manage Celtic where he played once, but the United call may be too hard to resist!

3. Carlos Queiroz (Portugal)

Currently the Portugal National coach, he assisted Sir Alex Ferguson in two separate stints at Manchester United during his career. He was, in 2005, declared as the most likely successor to Sir Alex by the gaffer himself. He certainly knows the tactics and strategies of Manchester United and is a familiar face at the club which can help the players adapt faster. His short spell at Real Madrid was mately successful as he managed to win 35 out of 59 games while at the helm. Can he be the next Portuguese import to hit Old Trafford?

2. Josep Guardiola (Barcelona)

Currently managing the best team in the world, Barcelona, Guardiola is a well deserved candidate to step into Sir Alex's shoes. He won the treble with Barcelona in his first season as manager. His side defeated Sir Alex's in the Champions League last year to complete their historic treble. Another double this year has only strengthened his credentials. Well, Pep at Old Trafford anyone?

1. José Mourinho (Internazionale)

The most speculated replacement for Sir Alex Ferguson, "The Special One". He has ledInter to consecutive domestic league titles and has won the Champions League with two different clubs. His world-class tactics and strategies have made him the best manager in the world. He's done it with Chelsea, he's done it with Porto and he’s done it with Inter. He came, he saw, he conquered. He's Jose Mourinho.

So, are these candidates deserving of replacing Sir Alex who has won 11 domestic titles, 5 domestic cups, 4 league cups, 8 charity shields, 2 champions league cups, 1 UEFA cup winners' cup, 1 UEFA super cup, 1 Intercontinental cup and 1 FIFA Club world cup which tallies to a total of 34 trophies which makes him the most successful manager at United in terms of trophies? Time will only tell.

-PRANAV MUKUL

Also Published HERE

Champions League Preview: Chelsea VS Internazionale

Kick-Off: Sunday, March 16th, 19:45 GMT.

Stamford Bridge, West London.

Chelsea and Inter lock horns as they meet up in the second leg of the UEFA Champions League.

Inter leading from the first leg by two goals to one will be watching to thump Chelsea out and progressing to the quarter finals. The English side who showed a weak performance in the first leg and also got their shot-stopper Petr Cech injured have a Herculean task to perform on their home ground.

TEAM NEWS:

CHELSEA:

The only thing that Chelsea would be worried about will be their faltered defence since the injury of Petr Cech and he being replaced by Ross Turnbull. As compared to their English counterparts in the Champions League Manchester United and Arsenal, Chelsea have the weakest second-choice goal-keepers but the Italian boss still trusts the former Boro 'keeper. Chelsea's dependance on Petr Cech in important fixtures clearly showed when The Blues lost to Manchester City by 4-2

in a Premier League fixture.

In other news, Chelsea still have a derby fixture against West-Ham United which may bring out, god forbid, further fatigue and injuries if any. Notable players include Didier Drogba, Frank Lampard, Michael Ballack and all the other veterans who add the Champions League experience to the English Side.

INTERNAZIONALE:

It's Jose Mourinho once again who'll be coming back to the Stamford Bridge and he's the one (see Special One) worth watching there. Will he? Won't he? These questions must be right now oscillating in Roman Abramovich's head. Inter have an advantage of the first leg and with the astonishing Samuel Eto'o being still doubtful and Christian Chivu having a long term absence, Inter have to think about something. Mario Balotelli had reported a knee injury which calls him off the game as well.

The in-form Diego Milito would be the player worth a watch from the Italian side.

FORM GUIDE:

CHELSEA:

Chelsea:

March 7 v Stoke City (H) - WON 2-0 (FA Cup)

Feb 27 v Manchester City (A) - LOST 2-4 (Premier League)

Feb 24 v Inter (A) LOST 2-1

(Champions League)

Feb 20 v Wolves (A) WON 0-2 (Premier League)

Feb 13 v Cardiff City (H) WON 4-1 (FA Cup)

INTERNAZIONALE:

March 7 v Catania (A) - LOST 3-1 (Seria A)

March 7 v Genoa (H) - DREW 0-0 (Serie A)

Feb 28 v Udinese (A) - WON 3-2 (Serie A)

Feb 24 v Chelsea (H) - WON 2-1 (Champions League)

Feb 20 v Sampdoria (H) - DREW 0-0 (Serie A)

PREDICTION:

If you take a closer look; It's Carlo Ancelotti VS Jose Mourinho once again after Ancelotti left AC Milan for Chelsea last summer. Every detail except the Champions League experience goes towards Inter. Chelsea have been great performers in the Champions League but if we look at Ancelotti; if he wasn't able to beat Mourinho's side with Kaka, Pato, Beckham, Ronaldinho, Nesta, Pirlo and other such greats, he wouldn't be able to make it with the aging Lampard, Drogba, Ballack, etc. Plus he has only less to offer inside the 16 yard box. But these are the players who have reached the Champions League final and semi final for two consecutive years. Further, this year champions league has only surprises to offer. Liverpool's exit, Fiorentina's exit due to refereeing errors, Real Madrid thumped by Olympique Lyon and Arsene Wenger hoping to see off Chelsea or Manchester United in further K.O. stages(pun intended), we can't predict anything in a pragmatic way. The match stays all in a balance.

MY PREDICTION: CHELSEA 0-2 INTERNAZIONALE

(Inter proceed to Quarter-Finals on an aggregate of 4-1)

-PRANAV MUKUL