Allston-Brighton TAB, MA
June 30 2006
Brazil fever grips Allston-Brighton
By Meghann Ackerman/ Staff Writer
Friday, June 30, 2006 – Updated: 02:02 PM EST
Although America was knocked out of World Cup play, plenty of fans
are still packing bars and restaurants to catch broadcasts of the
games. In Allston, home to a large population of Brazilians, yellow
and green jerseys and flags have been decorating the street and
businesses since the tournament began on June 9.
The sentiment among fans, Brazilian or not, is that watching the
soccer matches has brought people together and provided a link for
recent immigrants to each other and established citizens.
By 11 a.m. on Tuesday, June 23, fans had already headed to Café
Brazil and Café Belo, two of Allston’s Brazilian restaurants and bars
that have been showing World Cup games. The mood was celebratory as
Brazil trounced Ghana, 3-0.
"I didn’t think people would come this morning," said Otavio
Canargo, the manager of Café Belo. By game time, the restaurant was
packed.
"We’re so confident they’ll win we skipped work on Tuesday
morning," said Pedro Dosreis, a rabid Brazil fan.
Rachel Franca came to Boston from Brazil about a month ago to
study at Boston University. Although she admitted that she doesn’t
follow soccer as much as she used to, she said coming to the games
makes her less homesick.
"This is where I come home to," she said. "I come and get to be
here with all the Brazilians and hear people speaking Portuguese."
Canargo, said that he’s noticed Brazilians and Americans coming
together while enjoying a drink or some food and watching the game.
"I’m here to support Brazil all the way," said Harout Semerdjian,
an Armenian by way of Los Angeles who has many Brazilian friends.
Support of Brazil has stayed strong, despite some obstacles.
Several people, who requested not to be named, watching the game on
Tuesday said that at some games officials came in to check
identification. The fear, they said, was that the officials were from
immigration and looking to deport people here illegally.
Dosreis, however, said even immigration checks won’t deter
Brazil’s fans.
"They’re still going to party, even if immigration comes," he
said.
Because Boston sports fans are notorious for destructive behavior
after big wins, District 14 Police Captain William Evans said he’s
had officers checking on crowds at the World Cup games.
"It seems like we haven’t been getting the crowds," he said.
"We’re going to put extra people out to monitor Saturday’s game.
Misbehavior won’t be tolerated."
Canargo said he has not had any problems with security at Café
Belo.
"People are pretty calm. They get excited about the game, but
they don’t cause any trouble," he said.
Brazil will be playing their next game tomorrow, July 1, against
France. The game begins at 3 p.m., and the tournament is at the
single-elimination point, meaning the loser of this game will not
continue.