Bhubaneswar: For a group of around 25 Odias from Tokyo Titans cricket club, the India-Pakistan Asian Games men’s T20 gold-medal clash was more than a cricket match — it was a shared experience for a community united by their love of the game.Many of them travelled together from Tokyo, around 400 km by road, to Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin, Japan, turning the trip into an occasion of camaraderie, excitement and, of course, plenty of cricket moments. For club members, seeing one of sport’s most anticipated encounters from the stands was an opportunity they did not want to miss.“Preparations started at least five to six months ago when we bought the tickets online, expecting India to play in the finals. Pakistan being in the finals was the cherry on the cake,” said Choudhury Santoshi Prasad Mohanty, founder and vice-president of the club. Many Odias reached Nagoya, 30 minutes away from Nisshin, the night before the match and returned the day after.Most had worn Indian jerseys and carried Tricolour, placards and even cymbals to cheer the Indian team. A few had painted their hair and cheeks with Indian colours.They, however, had to wait outside the stadium for a considerable time for the bronze medal match between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh to get over. Out of the eight stands, Indian fans occupied at least six.Living in Japan, they get to watch fewer cricket matches, and watching a match of this scale is nearly impossible. “Though my home in Cuttack is close to Barabati Stadium and I often go there to play, getting to see traditional rivals India and Pakistan was a dream come true,” said Afroz Khan, a member of the club. Most felt that they would never get to see a repeat of this match.The high-scoring match was thrilling, with each team matching the other till the last over. Every ball excited the audience. “In Japan, people are very disciplined. None would stand up in the front rows so that the back benchers get a view,” said Khan.Of all the match scenes, the most cherished moment was when the Indian flag was hoisted and the national anthem was played after India received the gold medal from International Cricket Council chairman Jay Shah on winning the final against Pakistan.