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This article was first published 9 years ago

PHOTOS: Fans flying Indian flag at FIFA World Cup

June 16, 2014 07:44 IST

Image: Indian football fans
Photographs: PTI Photos

As football frenzy grips Brazil, Indian fans are making their presence felt albeit in small numbers in the ongoing soccer World Cup, wishing if only they could also witness such a sporting spectacle in their home country.

-Football World Cup

Taking a break, some of the fans from India are making their dreams of watching Brazil play at home in a World Cup come true and soaking up the experience of a lifetime.

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PHOTOS: Fans flying Indian flag at FIFA World Cup

Image: Indian soccer fans pose after getting fancy hairdos
Photographs: Rupak De Chowdhuri/Reuters

For Subrata Das, a 42-year-old businessman from Kolkata, who never misses even a local football game in his home city, watching the opening match between host Brazil and Croatia was a dream come true.

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PHOTOS: Fans flying Indian flag at FIFA World Cup

Image: A woman pose for a picture under street decorations on the public square where the fan zone for soccer matches
Photographs: Marcos Brindicci/Reuters

Naman Agarwal, a Mumbai-based businessman, who came with a group of friends, was also equally excited to have lived his dream and would stay to watch all the matches of the host country.

Yet, the 36-year-old sounded discontent when he was asked about India. "Wish we also had some kind of football in our country. It is so much fun," he said.

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PHOTOS: Fans flying Indian flag at FIFA World Cup

Image: A man takes a selfie with a child, in front of pictures of Brazilian soccer players
Photographs: Rupak De Chowdhuri/Reuters

Parekh, however, has no regrets to be in Brazil and watched the opening match.

"The atmosphere inside the stadium was electrifying, never witnessed such passion," he said.

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PHOTOS: Fans flying Indian flag at FIFA World Cup

Image: Brazilian soccer fans react while watching the opening match between Brazil and Croatia in a fan zone
Photographs: Yves Herman/Reuters

Delhi-based Ajitesh Kumar, who started making arrangements to witness the World Cup two years back, said, "We saw some protesters while going to the stadium. If you are in the city it doesn't feel like such big event is taking place but all said and done, won't forget this experience."