Brazilian community in Townsville prepares for Socceroos v Brazil

As some of the world's most famous football players arrive in a city known for its love of another football code, soccer fans hope the hype might change people's minds.

The Brazilian soccer team landed in Townsville yesterday ahead of their friendly clash with the Socceroos tonight at North Queensland Stadium.

Legendary coach Carlo Ancelotti brought a squad of big names, including Vinicius Junior and captain Marquinhos.

For the city's small and vibrant Brazilian community, their arrival has been a cause for celebration.

Enthusiastic fans wore jerseys and held signs, screaming out to the star-studded team, after they touched down in Townsville.

"We love to party, we love dancing, and we like to cheer for our soccer team," Tatiane Pinheiro said.

"Very loud, very excited, everyone is going to be so excited to watch the game."

The friendly match is one of two games in the series, with the other scheduled for Brisbane on September 29.

It will be the 12th time the Socceroos and Brazil have met since their first match-up in 1988.

Australia has beaten the five-time World Cup champions just once, in 2001.

But a lopsided head-to-head has not tainted the excitement in Townsville, which has been decked out in green and gold in anticipation of the international game.

Brazilian community fires up

Ms Pinheiro, a Townsville resident and Brazilian national, said she was excited to welcome crowds of Brazilians from around the country to her city.

"Everyone that we know from other cities is coming to watch the big game," she said.

Organisers said more than half of the sell-out crowd of 25,000 were visitors from outside of Townsville.

Louise Monteiro and her family recently moved to Townsville, and she is originally from Brazil.

She said it was difficult for her to decide which team to support.

"I think I'll always support Brazil first," she said.

"If Socceroos play against another team, I'll be supporting Socceroos."

Townsville Brazilian community leader Ronie Reed said the occasion trumped every event she'd ever seen in Townsville.

She said the hype among her community had been building since the announcement, including gathering for pre-game events.

"The supporter part of Brazilian football is such a big thing," she said.

"All the Brazilians are so excited to go and support the team and just to be there."

Ms Reed has lived in Townsville for 14 years and organises many local events for the South American community, which is often made up of the many backpackers who visit North Queensland.

"We want to show our presence; we want to show the impact that we have," she said.

"We want everyone to know how good it is to have this community here."

A street party and festival in the city starts at 3pm, before entertainers and musicians lead the crowd to the stadium.

A different type of football

North Queensland Stadium is home to the NRL's North Queensland Cowboys, but soccer fan and local player Mark Gadzikwa hopes Brazil's appearance and performance at the stadium could help curb a "lack of interest" in the round-ball game.

"Brazil has always meant football; there's no better team to do it," he said.

Anotida Sandengu has watched soccer since he was five, but this will be his first time watching a team as skilful as Brazil.

Mr Sandengu said he was surprised Townsville was chosen for the international match, which was announced after the World Cup in June.

"I wouldn't have called it; I remember I heard the news around the World Cup when everyone was watching soccer," he said.

"It was just really exciting. This is a once-in-a-lifetime event; it probably won't ever happen again."

Brazil is the most successful team at the FIFA World Cup, having won five times.

The Socceroos last met Brazil for a friendly game in Melbourne in 2017, where they lost 4-0.

Kick-off in Townsville is 8pm.

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