Sao Paulo: The low response to the World Cup in Sao Paulo has caught the visiting neutrals by surprise. The odd groups of Croatian and Mexican fans spotted here do not seem too frustated by the absence of passion. They are just happy being here.
They would have liked some good-natured ribbing by the locals, but there is little or none coming. Ambling about on hip Paulista Avenue or posing on the fringe of the Corinthians Itaquera Arena, they drum up the token noise but soon return to being inconspicuous in the office-going crowd.
Reports emerging from Rio de Janeiro say the city has pulled out all the stops in welcoming the World Cup to Brazil.
A look at the schedule shows that Brazil is not slated to play in Rio till the final, in the event that they get there. Also, considering that all goes according to plan, Brazil will play only one game in Sao Paulo and be done with it.
In the hugely unlikely event of them finishing second in Group A, and progressing from there on, they could end up playing again in Sao Paulo if they make the semifinals. But coming second in a group that comprises Croatia, Mexico and Cameroon would mean they run into either title defenders Spain or the Netherlands in the knockout round.
The Selecao will travel the length and breadth of the country, with even the possibility of stopping twice in Fortaleza, but the two main football centres — Sao Paulo and Rio — are being kept out of the Selecao’s programme sheet.
Local experts said, “The plan is simple and effective. Keep the Selecao out of these two major centres. The pressure is just too much. In Rio, they demand beautiful football from the Selecao and in Sao Paulo the need is for more goals. It is impossible to keep both cities happy for Felipao (Scolari) and his team.”
Bureau Report
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