World Cup runneth over for Lyari’s Argentina fans

KARACHI: As Brazilian coach Dunga resigned from his job after a disappointing quarterfinal match against Netherlands, many Brazilian fans in Lyari lost their money, sleep and appetite. Argentinean supporters, however, rallied in the streets and celebrated the football hegemons’ lose with dhol and ariel firing.

“The World Cup is over, now I just want Argentina to lose as well,” said Mohammad, a die-hard Brazilian fan. “I couldn’t eat or sleep after the match. I don’t know how I am going to go out on the street. I had my hopes on Brazil, but now I can see the Argentinean supporters celebrating our defeat. It’s heart-breaking.”

More than 500 football spectators sat in the Lal Buksh football club in Baghdadi, Lyari where a 40x30 screen was set up so these enthusiasts could watch the Brazilian team play.

While Mohammad lost sleep, Bashir, a 50-year-old shopkeeper, lost 50,000 rupees for betting on the Brazillian side. “I had a bet with my friend,” said Bashir. “The rates for betting on Brazil went up after the first goal in 10 minutes, and I raised the amount from Rs7,000 to Rs50,000. I am sad about losing my money, but it’s more embarrassing to go out and face the friends who are supporting Argentina.”

In Lyari, the ratio of betting on the Brazilian side was 7:1. This meant that someone betting on Brazil would risk Rs7,000 while the person betting on the weaker team would risk Rs1,000, according to Dawood Mandro, a football fanatic.

“The tables were turned when the referee had handed out a red card to the Brazilian player in the second half,” said Dawood. “It was at this moment when the Argentinean fans started the celebrations and swept out in a rally.”

In Lyari, the tension between Brazilian fans and Argentinean fans usually gets the better of everyone. Most residents support Brazil but the remaining fans are Argentinean supporters, which makes Argentina the second most favourite side in the World Cup.

“I am so happy that the Brazilians lost,” said Tanveer. “I have been eating more than I usually do. It’s good because now Argentina’s chances of winning the World Cup have increased.”

Published in The Express Tribune, July 4^th, 2010.