At the (ever more) busy Hamad International Airport, the Welsh mingled with the Iranians, rivals on the field this Monday (21), in the World Cup. Indian Ramesh Das, 27, was taking a photo with former England defender Martin Keown when his friend came running to warn him.
“They’re here! They’re here! Let’s go.”
Ramesh dashed into a street near the hotel. The “arrived” went to the Brazilian team. The bus carrying the delegation landed at 11:01 pm local time (5:01 pm Brasilia time). The expectation was that he would arrive later, which confused part of the fans who planned to receive them at the airport.
“I support Brazil too much. I really like Messi and Cristiano [Ronaldo]but Neymar is the best player in the world,” said Ramesh, before hearing the announcement that the team was already in Qatar.
The lobby gathered dozens of people in green and yellow shirts. All hoping to see the athletes or Tite at least for a few seconds. Did not happen. Players and commission got on the bus still on the track and went to the Westin Doha Hotel.
Hundreds of team fans, Brazilian or not, concentrated on the streets where the vehicle would pass on the way to the hotel. They couldn’t see anyone, but at least they had a chance to wave.
The 26 squad were traveling from Turin, Italy, where the preparation phase for their debut in the World Cup, scheduled for next Thursday (24th), against Serbia, began.
“Now are the parts of the game, team definition, strategy, dead ball. The team will be decided here”, said Tite, on the airport runway, for TV Globo.
The first practice will take place at 4:30 am this Sunday (Brasília time) at the Grand Hamad Stadium.
The team arrived at the Westin Doha Hotel escorted while a crowd of Brazilian fans and other nationalities surrounded the place.
The group waited for hours for the players to arrive to ensure proximity, but a human cordon of police did not allow them to approach.
Flags, cheers from fans and drums set the tone of the World Cup to the venue. Supporters and fans even climbed walls near the site to see better.
The Indian Suhail KC, 31, arrived at the hotel where the selection is about three hours before to see the players up close. He has lived in Doha for six years and is a fan of Roberto Carlos, Ronaldo, Kaká and Neymar. That’s why Brazil is his favorite team in the Cup.
“I like football, I like Brazilian players,” he said.
In the group stage, Brazil will also face Switzerland, on the 28th, and Cameroon, on December 2nd.
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