Sao Paulo: Brazil were booed by their own fans after stumbling to a 2-2 draw with Chile in their first friendly at a 2014 World Cup Stadium yesterday.
The match at the newly refurbished Mineirao in Belo Horizonte was coach Luiz Felipe Scolari’s last test before naming his squad on May 14 for the Confederations Cup to be held at six venues in Brazil in June.
The friendly, in which Chile were attempting to win in Brazil for the first time in 26 appearances, was also a chance for the local World Cup organising committee to test the venue, the second to be ready for the June 15-30 tournament.
Despite a good turnout with a crowd of over 53,000 and a pre-match party, the demanding home fans booed their team and shouted ‘Ole’ when the Chileans exchanged a string of passes.
“One day you’re booed, the next you’re praised, football’s like that,” said striker Neymar, who put Brazil 2-1 up in the 54th minute from a pass by substitute striker Alexandre Pato.
REUTERS
