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It's Brazil vs Portugal in FIFA World Cup today and city fans are all geared up for the high-voltage match. Sportline catches up with few fans to know the buzz
On June 25, when five-times world champion Brazil and talented Portugal team take on each other, it will not only give the first and the most star-studded encounter of the FIFA World Cup but also worthy of leaving memories etched in calendars of the football fanatics as it promises to provide one of the most entertaining and logic-defying moments in recent times. "The Brazil-Portugal match is the biggest one in this World Cup. My friends and I have been eagerly waiting for the moment. Our anxiety is growing with each passing moment. The clash should be very entertaining," said Bikramjit Singh, midfielder of Chandigarh Football Academy (CFA).
However, during the match all the attention would be on Cristiano Ronaldo and Luis Fabiano, both the players with the ability to change the course of the game with their scoring abilities. "I was happy when Ronaldo scored in the last match against North Korea. That was his first goal since February 2009. Now he has broken the ice, I am sure he will score more; maybe against the might Brazillians. Moreover, I hope Portugal play against Brazil like what they did against North Korea in the last match," hoped Ankita Rapa, a huge Portugal fan.
Then there is Sumit Passi who believes Brazil can take away the game from Portugal given how Luis Fabiano fares in the high-voltage match. "If I am not mistaken, then Brazil had beaten Portugal by a huge margin in their last encounter two or three years back. And Fabiano had scored a hat-trick. He is fast, and has the ability to find the net every now and then. If he gets going, winning should not be a problem for Brazil," the midfielder with CFA, currently playing in Dr BC Roy Trophy for Under-19, said referring to the match in November 2008 when Brazil had beaten Portugal 6-2.
If Portugal hit the purple patch after netting seven goals against a hapless North Korean side, their biggest ever win in the World Cup, then Brazil are slowly getting into the groove after beating Ivory Coast 3-1 in their last encounter. "Portugal's win against North Korea in which the goals were scored by six different players ranged was simply amazing. On the other side, Brazil look a bit rusty at the moment but they played well against Ivory Coast. This is a crucial match for Portugal. So the Brazillians should expect a tough fight from Ronaldo and Company," said Gagandeep, captain of the Chandigarh team leading in Dr BC Roy Trophy in Kolkata.
The Brazil-Portugal rivalry goes a long time back when the Portugal team powered by timeless Eusebio had beaten Brazil 3-1 in their only World Cup encounter in 1966. This time, with Portugal looking to seal a place into the last 16 and Brazil looking to get into the groove before they launch their campaign for a sixth title, the rivalry is seen as electrifying by lots of fans around the city. "Portugal depend a lot on Ronaldo to make their moves while Brazillian players have the ability to lift themselves up. Kaka will be missed in the match by Brazil but they have Robinho, Dani Alves who can make a difference. We have planned to watch the match on a big screen and we are definitely going to cheer for Brazil," said an excited Ankit Rehalia.
Even the city hotels are all decked up for the big match. Atul Grover of Rock in Rio is hopeful more fans will come to see the match on Friday between these two football powerhouses. "Since it's Friday, we are hoping for more crowd. And from the beginning we have made arrangements like vuvuzela horns and caps along with banners and flags. Of course, then there is the big screen. We have tried to give it a stadium-like look," Atul said.
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