Some will say a World Cup isn’t fully experienced unless you cross paths with Brazil at some point. Brazil played Ivory Coast in front of 85,000 fans at Soccer City in Johannesburg Sunday. The Brazilian chants of, “penta campeao, penta campeao,” could be heard behind the now familiar never-ending monodrone of thousands of vuvuzelas. One of the Columbian radio journalists, I had made my way to and from the stadium with, felt inclined to continue the chant all the way back to the house we’re sharing.
My ears still ring with,”penta campeao,” which basically means “five time champions.”
Of course the Brazilians went home the happier of the two sides, running out 3-1 victors.
Despite the seemingly onesided flow to the game – Brazil lead 3-0 until very late – there was plenty of emotion on show. Sitting on the pitch, you’re almost part of it. Maybe that’s an idealist’s point of view or perhaps just the outlook of a drooling footy fan who still can’t quite believe he’s fooled FIFA into giving him an accreditation.
But sitting 20 feet from Didier Drogba as he tries to get the crowd going, being able to see goaltender Julio Cesar and defender Lucio celebrate a goal as if they had scored it themselves, watching Kaka take on opposing defenses and catching Luis Fabiano’s opening goal all have the ability to turn up the hair on the back of the neck.