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Muscat: Green and yellow flags, giant armadillo mascots, and about 100 excited football fans filled the Brazilian Embassy in Muscat on Thursday night to watch the 2014 FIFA World Cup opening ceremonies and first match.
Hosted by Mitzi Gurgel Valente da Costa, Ambassador of Brazil to Oman, the party was an opportunity for members of the Brazilian community in Oman to display their national pride, and for some Omanis and other ambassadors to celebrate the world’s most popular sport.
“I think Brazil has a great chance to win because they are playing at home. They have the full support of 200 million Brazilian people behind them,” said Dr Sonia Ambrosia de Nelson, a Brazilian resident of Muscat.
De Nelson added that the outcome of the first match would reveal much about Brazil’s chances of continuing to the finals, so she was relieved when they defeated Croatia 3 to 1.
Even young Brazilians in Muscat stayed up past their bedtimes to watch the opening match.
Sandy, 11, and her sister Sara, 10, said they were very happy that their homeland was hosting the World Cup. They have final exams at school this week, but hope to find time to support Brazil. “Whenever possible, we’ll watch. We hope Brazil will win,” said Sandy.
Omani football fan Sarhan Al Sarhani was also cheering for Brazil. He said he has always supported Brazil, so he will be following the tournament closely, along with many other Omanis.
“Even without Oman in the World Cup, Omanis are very excited. Go to any coffee shop and you’ll see everyone watching the game,” Al Sarhani explained.
Tamer Elsayed, an Italian citizen of German ancestry, is lucky to have two teams to cheer for. He predicted that Germany would move ahead to the semifinals and Italy to the quarterfinals.
“Of course, I hope they meet in the finals,” he added.
Dr Envarbik Fazelianov, Ambassador of Russia to Oman, has his hopes pinned on Russia. He said it was exciting for the Russian team to be participating, since this tournament is taking place in the “motherland of football.”
“I wish our team all the best. All the Russians in Russia and abroad will be cheering for them,” he said.
Only 32 countries are participating in the World Cup, but for many people the celebration goes beyond borders, regardless of whether their home countries are involved.
Major General Chris Pepani, Ambassador of South Africa, showed continental pride by wearing an Africa United jersey to the party. Although his home team is not in the tournament this year, he had a list of countries he planned to support.
“I’m supporting all the African teams. We want one at least to get to the quarterfinals. It’s the same players who are in the European Premiere Leagues, so it’s just a matter of them getting it together for Africa,” he said.
Meanwhile, Tunisian Ambassador Tarek Ladeb said his allegiances will lie with Alergia, since they are the only team representing the Arab World and North Africa, but he wished all the teams well because of the symbolism of the event. “I encourage fair play among all the teams, because football is the one thing that brings the world together in peace and unity,” explained Ladeb, before turning his attention back to the game.
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