The D.Y. Patil stadium in Navi Mumbai is abuzz. The cops have outnumbered the spectators but that will change once the countdown to today's first match begins.
It's a working day at the D.Y. Patil academy - where boisterous college students - unmoved by the proceedings around them, at least superficially, are going about their daily chores. Wonder if an India ODI or an IPL match would've generated such a cold response.
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Meanwhile, inside the press box, there are conversations going on about the feasibility of wireless internet connection over LAN cables - all workstations are installed with plush seats, tables, LAN cables and charging adapters - cables come out on top since they don't necessitate a login password, thus saving time.
In times of 4G and wireless internet, a cable may sound archaic but so long as it serves the purpose, it may continue to find a benefactor here.
At ground zero, cameras stand in readiness while the curators are getting a feel of the pitch - the weather, for now, is bright and sunny - one would hope it continues to stay that way for both games although that's highly unlikely given the rain pattern since the last few days.
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Volunteers dressed in yellow and orange jackets are thronging the stands, ensuring the stadium is spick-and-span before the start of the doubleheader; Swachha Bharat campaign is thriving here in Sector 5, Nerul.
As for the crowd, expect them to come out in huge numbers as the stadium ramps up to what promises to be a humid but electric day four at the FIFA Under-17 World Cup.
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