Soccer: India go mad for Cup

Cricket-crazy India has gone soccer mad with the World Cup grabbing almost as much attention as the country's military standoff with Pakistan that has stoked fears of war.

Young fans, normally glued to the performances of their national cricketers, are cheering for their favourite players in Japan and South Korea.

Almost all Indian newspapers last week splashed front-page pictures of England captain David Beckham celebrating his winning goal against Argentina.

Some of the images were larger than those of a senior US diplomat visiting New Delhi to defuse the border tension.

Television ratings for the tournament have been high - alongside a spurt in the sales of colour-TV sets.

nzherald.co.nz/fifaworldcup

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