SCORES OF BARBADIANS had long faces after their favoured Brazilian football team crashed out of the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa yesterday afternoon.There was more sadness in the evening when Ghana exited the biggest international sports event.Official records will show the Netherlands defeated a stunned Brazil 2-1 in Port Elizabeth, and that Ghana squandered a golden opportunity to win in extra time with a missed penalty, with mere seconds to go against Uruguay at Soccer City, Johannesburg.Immediately after the Netherlands won, noisy debate could be heard on several streets in Bridgetown. The disappointment was etched on several Barbadian faces, many of whom were wearing green and gold Brazilian jerseys. Some hung their heads ruefully as friends taunted them. Others even attempted to hide the Brazilian colours under other T-shirts.Several people were approached by the SATURDAY SUN but most were reluctant to even give a comment on Brazil’s defeat. SaddenedHowever, popular taxi driver and devoted Brazil supporter Phillip Garner said he was genuinely hurt and saddened by Brazil’s performance. “Brazil dominated during the first half and Holland was just lucky coming on to the end. It hurt me, it really hurt me, boy.” But fellow taxi operator Andre “Ears” Layne retorted that the Brazilians deserved what they got and should have gone home “weeks ago”.“Holland also has a far better team and Brazil is overrated,” Layne said.Similar comments came from people who were not backing Brazil, but supported the likes of Germany and Argentina who meet today in another quarter-final match-up. In the midst of those who supported or were against Brazil, football fan Susan Suttle praised the quality of the match itself. She said Brazil started strongly but fell apart toward the end and deserved to lose.Keeshan Callender also shared a similar view.“Although Brazil is a good side, the Netherlands did their best and came out on top as they should have,” she said.Fans agreeThe majority of fans agreed Brazil did not play like a team that wanted to win and contributed significantly to their demise. “Brazil should have won in the first half and stop wasting time,” Steven “Benny” Hall said. “Holland deserved to win and Brazil did not play like they wanted it,” he added.Keen Brazilian fan Shane Callender stated: “They fell apart in the second half and should have attacked more throughout the match. It’s really Brazil’s fault. They did not play like they wanted to win.” Although most of the clamour revolved around Brazil, many saw Ghana as their sentimental second option. Standing in front Cave Shepherd on Broad Street, David Goddard said he could not believe that both Brazil and Ghana had lost on the same day. With a sense of occasion and more than just a bit of tongue-in-cheek, he said: “It’s a sad day, but it certainly isn’t a dark day.” (TJ)
