English World

Expats eagerly await kick-off

football

KUALA LUMPUR: EXPATRIATE football fans in Malaysia are all set to follow the the month-long World Cup here.

Brazilian embassy Minister-Counselor Jose Soares said the much-awaited quadrennial games would be watched with the same level of excitement and intensity in Malaysia as in his home country, this year’s host of the World Cup.

He said the Latin American community in Malaysia had always embraced their roots and their undying love for football, regardless of the geographic distance.

“We have more than 2,000 Latin Americans residing in Malaysia and our community had always come together for festivals and events.

“As for the World Cup this year, we have planned and arranged many activities for the community throughout the month, such as private parties at bars and restaurants and going house-to-house to watch the games,” he told the New Straits Times yesterday.

Although, Soares missed the energy and spirit of football in Brazil, he was sure Malaysians would show the same enthusiasm.

Soares’ countryman, Cristiano Genuino Da Silva, 39, said the World Cup atmosphere was different in Malaysia.

“My friends would go to different people’s houses each day, hours before the game started, just to get into the mood.

“We would be served a variety of food and drink everywhere we go.”

Unlike in Brazil, watching football in Malaysia was different in many aspects, especially in terms of the spirit, he said.

The Camara’Malaysia capoeira instructor said his capoeira team had been fully booked the entire month to perform at private parties, bars and events throughout the country for football fans.

England-born Geoff Siddle is determined to go full throttle in embracing World Cup fever with a mix of English and Malaysian styles.

The 46-year-old who operates the “Sid’s Pub” chain of neighbourhood pubs around Kuala Lumpur, said his outlets would be open until 6am throughout the month.

“We will be offering discounts of up to 50 per cent all day long on selected beverages and also be serving local and western dishes for customers until the wee hours of the morning.”

Siddle, who came to Malaysia 17 years ago, said he had arranged for a gathering with other British expatriates to watch the England-Italy match on Sunday morning.

“I have prepared an Englishmen’s get-to-together to cheer and support our countrymen in winning the World Cup this year,” he said, adding that the spirit and enthusiasm would be larger than life despite watching it with a small group of people.

-NST

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