The Adventure of Ruan: Local football

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Local football

There were a couple of complementary tickets supplied by the ICRJ (Iate Club do Rio de Janeiro – Yacht Club of Rio de Janeiro), which included a football match being played by the local club, Botafogo (where ICRJ is situated).
I mentioned this match to Adriana at supper and she was super excited to join as her team (Fluminese) was to play against Botafogo. So I wangled an extra ticket for her. Not knowing much about the local football, and partly because of Adriana’s insistence, we supported Fluminese.

We were concerned that we would be a bit late, so we took a taxi. This guy was great. He had a mini TV in the cab so we, and he, could watch the other game (Flamenco) and he ran some red lights (that were obviously safe to cross) to get us there on time. I’m glad to report that his efforts were not in vain, as we made it just on time….and in one piece :)

Due to fans becoming quite violent, the spectators are separated. For some unknown reason we got seated with the Fluminese fans, which didn’t bother us too much :)

The stadium was only partly full, probably about 40-50%. The atmosphere was awesome though. And here I noticed why the spectators get separated…people from Latin decent are quite fiery :)

At home you always notice how the refs try to keep their cool, remain professional and try not to get involved (most of the time). But this ref was like a primadonna! He was almost more emotional than the players. You know how football players always crowd the ref when a card is about to be given…well this ref lost it. He looked like a child throwing a fit. By the end of the game I thing he had given 10 cards…with 3 of them within 60sec of the initial infringement. It looked like a poker game in a casino :) I’m not sure if this is because of the ref or the fans, but at every interval there are guards that come to protect the ref & linesmen.

The game did not have the outcome we were hoping for as Fluminese lost 2-3. Most of the locals were so upset with the ref’s performance that some were waiving money or wallets and some were throwing cans at the ref. Quite a sight, but I can’t blame the supporters. The ref was shocking!

As I had never taken public transport in Rio before, I suggested we use it. It was already quite late, but this did not deter us. One train and a Metro (subway) later, we were in Botafogo. Adriana had to go home as she was working the next day, but we were hungry. After consulting some high-tech watches, we strolled down an unassuming road. There we found an awesome local pizza place…and cheap (close to the corner of Rue Sao Clemente and the beach rd). We fed 6 of us with 2 Caparinha’s (a local drink) for R$30 each! Bargain :) Take in to account we only sat down at 1am! and the place was buzzing.

This was a great night! and I got to do two of the things I was looking forward to.