World Cup tribes: Football remains a sacred language for cautiously optimistic Brazilians

BRAZIL
World Cup titles: 5
Star players: Neymar Jr, Philippe Coutinho, Marcelo
Conversation starter: "How many was it Germany scored in Belo Horizonte? Six? Seven?"

In the half light of dawn you can see them coming from a distance dressed in the most recognisable uniform in sports – the sacred yellow of Brazil.

It is a shirt associated with joy unconfined, with optimism, with the possibility of magic from those legends that need but one name: Jairzinho, Garrincha, Socrates, Zico, Ronaldo and, if it needs saying, Pele.

Optimism has been in short supply in Brazil these days. A corruption scandal first exposed in 2014 involving state-owned oil giant Petrobras shows no sign of abating and has found its way to the top of the political chain. In that same year, the presumed antidote to the political rot, the hosting of the World Cup, turned septic as Brazil were ignominiously defeated 1-7 by Germany.

But a new generation of stars, led by the wildly popular Neymar Jr, has recaptured the imagination of the public and as a good chunk of Brazil's expat community takes the escalator up to Dr Rudi's Rooftop Brewing Co – the unofficial home of Brazil's New Zealand World Cup experience – there is an expectation this is just the beginning of the good times.

"Because of the political crisis people think we shouldn't be so focused on the football but it is part of who we are," says Bobby Brazuka, a renowned DJ who has been in New Zealand for 15 years.

As the crisis deepened and worsened, underscored by the recent imprisonment of former President Luiz Inácio da Silva (popularly known as Lulu), the country's obsession with the round ball led to unprecedented bouts of introspection.

"Especially after what happened last time," says Brazuka, referencing the loss to Germany that drew enough tears to fill the Amazon.

"I don't want to remember that," says Juliana Fontinele.

From the capital Brasilia, Fontinele, 22, came here to learn English but has fallen in love with the place. Dr Rudi's will offer her a fix of home during the World Cup and a 90-minute sense of belonging.

"We have a big community here in New Zealand and are always together to watch football."

The tension increases as Brazil searches for a winner in their World Cup opener. Photo / Greg Bowker

The Brazilian community is fast growing. Down in Queenstown, where many head for seasonal work, they joke that Portuguese is an official language.

It's a beautiful language, too, as it filters through the spacious bar that overlooks Auckland's harbour, or at least it is when Brazil takes the lead thanks to a Coutinho wonder strike and look a class above their Swiss opponents.

This is no place to be neutral.

The tone of the language changes however when Switzerland equalise and several Brazilian chances are either thwarted or wasted.

"Filha da puta," shouts someone as the ref turns down an appeal for a penalty.

Brazilian football fans at Dr Rudi's bar react as Switzerland equalise. Photo / Greg Bowker

The outrage is fleeting however. As the final whistle sounds there is no need for post mortems. For many, work beckons. They file out the door as quickly as they arrived, juiced on caffeine, still optimistic, still dressed in yellow.

And still waiting for some of the Neymar magic that never arrived.

Friday will be different, they say.