Barbara Avian and Nathalia Almeida outside Salt Lake stadium
Among those who managed to watch the session was Brazilian national Barbara Avian (30) who travelled to Kolkata from Rajasthan with her husband.
When I learnt that the team is coming to Kolkata to play, we booked our tickets for the match,” she said. A football enthusiast, Almeida said this was her first opportunity to see the Brazil national team in India since her marriage. I brought my friends, who too are super excited to watch Brazil practice here,” Giri said. The ground and the arrangements look amazing,” the trio said.
Kolkata: For some, Saturday’s India-Brazil clash at Salt Lake Stadium is a football match. For others, it is a chance to see their beloved Brazil in the flesh — even if it means standing outside the stadium gates or catching a fleeting glimpse of the team bus. Security restrictions kept most of them away from the stands, but that did little to dampen their excitement. Several fans also gathered outside JW Marriott, where the Brazilian team is staying. Avian, who has been living in Rajasthan for the past seven years. “I got married in India and have been living in Rajasthan for the last seven years. But I keep following my national team. But Saturday’s contest has left Avian with a dilemma. “My mind will support India but I will always be Brazilian by heart. Also at the stadium was Nathalia Almeida, wife of East Bengal midfielder Rohit Kumar . “I have been an avid football fan and since I got married, this is the first time the Brazil national team is coming here. Angelina Giri, accompanying Almeida and Avian, was at the stadium after receiving special permission as her husband is part of the Indian squad. “My friend is part of the Indian squad and so I was given special permission to visit the stadium. “We are extremely excited for the match.
With Brazil training at the Salt Lake Stadium on Friday, fans gathered around the venue hoping to get a glimpse of the star-studded squad in action. I am looking forward to a cracking match in a wonderful ambience on Saturday,” she said. However, I am in two minds about whom to support on Saturday,” Almeida said.