FIFA U-17 World Cup: Ever-popular Brazil set to woo another set of fanatical fans

After Rondos came the situation practice, where one group of players with a numerical advantage over others (5 versus 4) tried to keep possession of the ball and build attacks, while the other group with fewer players tried to win the ball back. Coach Carlos Amadeu was hands-on.

Several times he stopped the moves, passed on instructions to the attackers and defenders and once took a centre-half aside for a talking-to. The session culminated in penalties — it’s Brazil versus Germany in the U-17 World Cup quarterfinals here on Sunday and the match could go down to the wire, notwithstanding the fact that Brazil have won the tournament thrice and Germany are yet to break the duck.

A turnout of over 60,000 is expected and Brazil would be playing a ‘home’ game. Through their three World Cup wins between 1958 and 1970, Brazil became synonymous with beautiful football and the City of Joy embraced their football philosophy.

Then, Pele came in 1977 to play for New York Cosmos against Mohun Bagan and fanaticism rose. Old-timers still recount how they cursed Italy after Paolo Rossi’s hat-trick gave ‘the long kiss goodnight’ to Zico and company at the 1982 World Cup. Kolkata was one-dimensional in its support for Brazil till Diego Maradona arrived and took the 1986 World Cup by storm. Since then it has been Brazil versus Argentina, support-wise, in this city during the quadrennial showpiece.

This is a World Cup for the colts but this is for the first time a Brazil national team is playing at one of the biggest football-mad cities of India. Canary yellow would be overriding colour in the stands.

Brazil goalkeeper Gabriel Brazao, who has so far conceded just one goal in four matches, still asked for local support. “Kochi felt like home. We are really grateful to the fans in Kochi and Goa. We are expecting a big crowd in Kolkata and we hope they support us. I ask for local support,” he said. Brazao started as a forward but became a goalkeeper when he was eight years old.

Playing for Brazil is always a huge ask at senior level. You have to entertain and you must win. So will the Young Selecao be under pressure to win against Germany? “We focus on winning, but we need to make sure we enjoy on the pitch. We take every opponent with respect. But without happiness, it’s nothing for us,” Brazao said.

Three years ago at Belo Horizonte, Brazil suffered one of their worst-ever defeats – 7-1 – in a World Cup semifinal against Germany. The 2016 Olympic football final victory somewhat avenged it. But as Brazao mentioned, that’s history now. The youngsters from both sides will start with a clean slate on Sunday.

And rest assured, Brazil will try to take the game from the opposition right from the outset. “Our defensive system starts with our forwards. They are helping us a lot; running and marking. That’s why teams are not shooting in my goal that much. But when it comes for me I’m prepared and I’m working really hard for this competition,” Brazao pointed out. As the young stopper signed off, a few hacks requested him for selfies. Brazao obliged. It felt like Brazil’s arrival here have prompted even the neutrals to choose a side.

Message from seniors
The U-17 World Cup is being closely followed by the senior Brazil team players and some have even sent encouragements to the colts. “Many of them have sent some videos, supporting us for this competition. Gabriel Jesus, George, Anderson; they were playing a match at the South American (2018 World Cup qualifiers). So they sent us videos and we know that they are supporting us.”