While a 30,000 crowd did much to warm the hearts of those hoping for a soccer revival in the country the changing behaviour of fans here in Goa is disturbing.

Eight minutes from the end of the match, linesman Krishnan Avtar was struck on the head by a missile hurled from an unruly section of the crowd. The official bravely carried on without asking for help that would have meant stoppage of play. He was subsequently taken to the hospital where he received two stitches.

The incident followed East Bengal's goal from the penalty spot after the award by referee Ravi Shankar led to unrest in the crowd, which yet again showed itself in missiles -- mainly plastic water bottles.