Split loyalties for Indian football fans at Brazil friendly

Indian football fans face divided loyalties ahead of historic friendly match against Brazil in Kolkata. The eagerly anticipated game, set to take place on Saturday at Salt Lake Stadium, has excited fans who admit to a split in allegiance. Brazil, a football powerhouse with five World Cup titles, has a significant fanbase in Kolkata, with many donning their signature yellow jerseys as the match approaches.

India, currently ranked 138th globally, are heavy underdogs in the encounter, scheduled to kick off at 7:30 pm (1400 GMT).

Excitement abounds as fans prepare to either attend the match in person or watch it on television. Joydeep Pal, a 30-year-old member of a Brazil fan club, expressed his enthusiasm, stating that the sight of Brazilian stars like Vini Junior, Danilo Santos, and Endrick would be a thrilling experience. However, Pal confessed that his loyalty is split between supporting Brazil and his own country. He prayed for India's victory in the match.

India's underdog status is further emphasized by the fact that they have never qualified for a World Cup and that football remains a secondary sport in a cricket-dominated nation. Despite this, fans have traveled from across the country to witness their favorite Brazilian players in action. Mimin, a 31-year-old engineer from Manipur, shared his passion for football, citing his childhood fascination with Brazil's 2002 World Cup win. He remains neutral during the game, enjoying the spectacle rather than taking sides.

Organizers have implemented stringent security measures to ensure the match proceeds smoothly, following the chaos witnessed during a previous visit by Lionel Messi in December. The stadium will undergo three levels of security checks, and fans are prohibited from bringing in banners, hoardings, posters, umbrellas, and water bottles. Despite these precautions, the atmosphere remains electric as fans await the historic clash between India and Brazil.