MARGAO: Move over Kochi. Brazil have arrived at their second home — Goa. From a bunch of supporters longing for a glimpse of the future stars at the airport, to the sale of yellow shirts near the stadium – Brazil is the dominant theme in Margao.
Goa shares a connection with Brazil that Kochi or Mumbai don't. It’s not just football, but the culture inherited from Portuguese rulers. The Brazil coach, during his last visit to Goa for the BRICS Cup, felt the connection. He decided to keep an open session on Thursday evening at the Utorda ground so that local fans could see the players train.
A local fisherman, who came early to see Brazil practice, shouted, “Paulinho, Paulinho”. The 17-year-old turned his attention from a free-kick routine, only to be scolded by his coach. But that didn’t deter the crowd, as the numbers kept growing with some wearing Brazil shirts.
Many of them didn’t know who to look for. When prompted by someone, “Watch Lincoln, he is next Neymar”, some of them immediately gazed at the Brazilian kids, searching for Lincoln. However, Vinicius Junior’s absence left a few disappointed.
“You hardly get an opportunity to watch players of such calibre. It was probably my last chance and he didn’t come,” said a disappointed 65-year-old, who calls himself a Brazil fan. “Had it been Pele or Ronaldinho, they must have come. They were real diamonds.”
Brazil coach Carlos Amadeu had by then already begun his full free-kick routines. When some of the players missed the target by a whisker, the fans let out a collective sigh of disappointment, as if it was a real match. For them, nothing is as real as watching the future Selecao play in front of them, what if it’s just a practice session.
Amadeu had already felt the warmth, the hospitality of the locals. “It’s a pleasure for us to be back here in Goa. We really felt welcome the last time we came. The weather, crowd, culture, it feels like home. Then there is Vasco da Gama and the Portuguese language which complete the connection. Also, we have positive memories of Goa, having won the BRICS Cup,” said Amadeu.
On Friday, they play Niger in an inconsequential game, having already advanced to the knockout stages. But Amadeu doesn’t want the local crowd to leave disappointed. “I know people here love Brazil. We will field the strongest team we have, irrespective of who we face in the Round of 16,” he said.