World Cup opener stokes passions of Aussie football fans

Australian football fans from Brazil and Croatia went wild during the broadcast of a tense World Cup opening match that saw Brazil beat Croatia 3-1.

 

It was Croatia that scored the first goal of the match, with Marcelo setting it up in the 11th minute.

Members of the Croatian community in Australia turned over the furniture in their excitement and the roar of the cheers were deafening.

But Brazil did not stay stunned for long.

Neymar equalised and then put the Brazilians ahead, after a controversial penalty in the second half when Fred fell in the area.

The decision angered Croatians, with coach Niko Kovac calling the decision shameful.
Oscar then rounded off the scoring in injury time with a brilliant solo goal.

For Brazilian football fans in Australia, watching the game was a rollercoaster ride of emotions.

"Everytime there is goal we're going to be hitting the drums," one fan told SBS ahead of the match.

"But if Croatia hits the goal we're going to be standing like this," he said standing with his arms crossed in stoic silence.
Dead silence did descend over the Brazilian fans watching the game after Croatia scored its first and only goal.

But all was forgiven after the Brazilian team went on to achieve a 3-1 victory.

"I'm happy, Brazil is going to win the Cup you know," another fan told SBS, while dancing a jig.

 


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2 min read

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By SBS World News

Source: SBS


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