Soccer: Loud corner of foreign field

A house in the quiet Auckland suburb of Botany Downs is crammed with 16 agitated and vocal Portuguese fans.

The cries of despair as the hotly favoured Portuguese team concede goal after goal to the United States will probably wake not only the near neighbours, but the entire neighbourhood.

Between shouts of joy, rage and occasional outbursts in Portuguese, the seven families present explain, somewhat unnecessarily, that they are passionate about soccer.

Last year's Census shows that 138 New Zealand residents were born in Portugal - a small community, but obviously not a quiet one.

Maria Dos Santos, who arrived in New Zealand with her husband and sons eight years ago, says the expatriates gather at Christmas, New Year and other big occasions, such as this one.

Most of the families present met in Auckland by chance - for example, by overhearing someone speaking Portuguese at the supermarket.

As the game continues, the group explain that they like to get together to speak Portuguese, but hasten to add that they also enjoy the company.

Victor Domingues is appalled by the game. He explains that it is like the All Blacks losing to Chile.

"It's terrible, terrible, I feel sick," says Maria Dos Santos.

Some of the children in the group begin to lose interest as Portugal's efforts fail. But one young boy's eyes never leave the screen. Maria Dos Santos explains that her son Andre dreams of playing professional soccer in England one day.

Tonight he is content to watch his heroes - even if they lose.

Many of the group have come from South Africa, where there is a large expatriate community. Jose Dos Santos says he came to New Zealand two years ago with his family because crime in South Africa was so high.

As the game progresses there is no hiding the group's dismay. "We'll be the laughing stock of the World Cup," someone cries.

However, they take the result - 3-2 to the US - remarkably well. They are sure their team will still make the final.

nzherald.co.nz/fifaworldcup

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