Chelsea win over Palmeiras was 'best moment in our life' for Dubai-based Keralite fans

Given all the wild fluctuations of an epic Club World Cup final on Saturday night, it was no surprise supporters of both the champions and the vanquished were emotionally spent by the end.

Then consider the case of Jamir Valiyamannil, a 31-year-old accountant originally from Kerala and now living Dubai who, despite being a diehard supporter for years, was taking in just his second Chelsea game in the flesh.

The first had been three days earlier, when the European champions had sealed their place in the final with a 1-0 win over Saudi side Al Hilal.

He took up a seat in the same place, in Block N1 of the Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium, in the lower tier approximately adjacent to the six-yard line at the northern end of the ground.

Which was, by chance, the exact spot Kai Havertz peeled away to celebrate the winning goal, two hours after kick off - and the best part of six since Valiyamannil had arrived at the ground.

“It was the best moment in our life,” Valiyamannil said. When you consider the details, it is easy to see why.

His beloved club champions of Europe, and now champions of the world.

The quirks of fate which had seen Japan cede hosting rights of the tournament because of the pandemic, then Qatar pass it over, too, because they had the Arab Cup on instead. All of which meant the matches were taking place an hour or so down the E11 from Valiyamannil’s home, so attending was finally a viable option.

A monumental match, in which he and his fellow Blues fans screamed themselves hoarse as they battled – vainly – to hear themselves over the din of the extraordinary Palmeiras support.

After the seminal moment Havertz opted to bypass the travelling London crew of Chelsea supporters and start a frenzied pile-on in front of