Another thing that Lewis the Lion was excited to experience on his trip to Brazil was the opportunity to go to a real Brazilian football match. After all, the Brazilians had a worldwide reputation for their footballing brilliance. So, Lewis the Lion was lucky enough to attend a local Rio de Janeiro football game. This was a semi-final cup game towards the National Footballing Cup.
The two competing sides were Vasco da Gama and Boa Vista and the match was held at the Engenhao Stadium.
Lewis had hoped that the match might have been held at the Maracaná Stadium, the largest football stadium in the world which can hold a capacity of 110,000 people! Click here to find out more information about this historic stadium. However, currently the Maracaná Stadium is under renovation as Brazil prepares to host the Football World Cup in 2014.
Lewis waited outside the stadium and noticed enthusiastic children copying their footballing heroes as they had a knock-around with a football. It added to Lewis’s excitement and anticipation for the real game about to take place.
He even met another travelling companion outside the stadium…a travelling duck!
As dusk set in, kick off started in earnest at 7pm between the two sides. Lewis the Lion was sat with the Vasco fans so made sure that he roared for the right team! What surprised Lewis was that they were in an enormous stadium, with a strong police presence and yet there was hardly any fans there (only 3,005). The guide then told Lewis that there weren’t many fans there because the game was taking place during carnival time and most Cariocas would be enjoying themselves at various block parties across the City instead.
Nonetheless, it didn’t dampen the atmosphere inside the stadium as a samba percussion beat played throughout the whole match and people sang and shouted support at the top of their voices, as well as waving huge flags. Click here to see some of the match.
Lewis was again surprised that during each half there was time for a quick team talk – ‘tempo tecnico’ as he had never seen this in a European football game?
The first half was goalless but in the second half, the tempo and the noise of the crowd was increased which spurred Vasco on to score a spectacular goal! The Brazilians are renowned for their quick and slick dribbling and footwork and this goal was no exception as the striker wove his way through the defence to finish off with a precise kick of the ball into the back of the net. The crowd knew it was a goal before he’d even struck the ball as they were up on their feet in excitement at the knowledge of the first goal of the match. What a party there was as people shouted and danced around with joy! Unfortunately, it was the only goal of the match as the final score was 1:0 to Vasco da Gama. However, Lewis the Lion thoroughly enjoyed himself and even had a few photos taken with some of the Vasco supporters at the match.
He imagined what it would be like if the stadium had been full, if he’d enjoyed himself so much already?
Lewis thought that it would be great if he could come back to Brazil for the World Cup in 2014 but he might have to save up a bit of money before then!
What world sporting event would you most like to attend if you had the chance? Why? What are your favourite sports?
