- Title: SOUTH AFRICA: FOOTBALL/SOCCER:Thousands watch Brazil squad training in Soweto
- Date: 4th June 2010
- Summary: JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA (JUNE 3, 2010) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF PEOPLE ENTERING STADIUM BRAZILIAN PLAYERS ENTERING PITCH BRAZIL FULLBACK MAICON AND STRIKER GRAFITE APPLAUDING FANS MORE OF BRAZIL PLAYERS ON PITCH LOCAL FANS WAVING BRAZIL FLAGS FANS DANCING IN STANDS / FANS BLOWING VUVUZELAS BRAZIL PLAYERS IN TRAINING MORE OF FANS DANCING STRIKER ROBINHO PERFORMING BALL TRICK MIDFIELDER KAKA DURING TRAINING MORE OF TRAINING FANS MAICON AND MIDFIELDER JOSUE PASSING BALL FANS IN STADIUM VARIOUS OF FANS BEATING DRUMS AND JUMPING GOALKEEPER HEURELHO GOMES SAVING SHOTS VARIOUS OF AGILITY EXERCISE PLAYERS JOGGING AROUND PITCH TO LOUD CHEERS FROM CROWD (FROM LEFT TO RIGHT) MICHEL BASTOS, ELANO, GILBERTO SILVA AND ROBINHO JOGGING / MICHEL BASTOS AND ELANO GREETING SOUTH AFRICAN BOY MORE OF FANS MORE OF TRAINING FANS SITTING IN STADIUM WITH BANNER READING "WHERE IS RONALDINHO?" FULLBACK DANI ALVES CHASING AFTER BALL FANS WAVING BRAZILIAN FLAGS KAKA DURING TRAINING
- Embargoed: 19th June 2010 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: South Africa
- Country: South Africa
- Topics: Sports
- Reuters ID: LVAEAONVWM9NQ0IQ19LJ0LU0CKN9
- Story Text: World Cup fever was high in Johannesburg's impoverished Soweto township on Thursday (June 3) as thousands of fans gathered to watch Brazil train in public for the first time since their arrival in South Africa.
At least 5,000 locals went to the area's Dobsonville Stadium with many waving Brazil flags and others blowing on their Vuvuzelas to create a party atmosphere.
Brazil are fresh from a 3-0 pre-World Cup victory away to Zimbabwe on Wednesday (June 2) and much of the session involved a light training routine.
One notable absentee from training was first-choice goalkeeper Julio Cesar, who was substituted off with a back injury in Wednesday's match.
Brazil coach Dunga had told journalists at a news conference earlier that he was not worried over the Inter Milan player's fitness.
However, Cesar's absence did little to ruin the party at the stadium.
Fans cheered at the players as they jogged around the pitch.
Many fans were overjoyed by the sight of Brazil's world class squad.
"I'm really really excited, seeing the likes of Kaka, Maicon, those are very great players. Actually I was here for Kaka, he's a very good guy, I like him so much, and the fever it is here, we're feeling it," said local fan Shimane.
"This is the best thing that ever happened to Dobsonville, we are very excited," said Jivoyi.
Another fan, Luyanda, said it was a dream come true for the residents of Soweto.
"Just to be here to watch Brazil training, it was a brilliant moment. I got to watch everything, it was nice to be here."
Brazil can expect fervent support during the World Cup as they take on North Korea, Ivory Coast and Portugal in Group G. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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