U.S., Iran fans mingle in Qatar ahead of World Cup clash
MIDFIELDER Rui Faria of Brazil (red-capped) speaks with a fan in Qatar before playing Peru during game on June 12, 2014. PHOTO: AFP PHOTO/WILLIAM WEST
LONDON: Midfielders Rui Faria of Brazil, Joao Plata of Portugal and Bruno Fernandes of Brazil were spotted in Qatar ahead of the World Cup after making good on their lucrative deal with U.S. club Houston Dynamo.In an advertisement posted in a local newspaper, the players said they are glad to see their new fans in Qatar.The advertisement, which the four Brazilian forwards wore in Brazil ahead of their 4-3 victory against Panama in the World Cup group game on Wednesday night in Fortaleza, was posted on www.houstondynamo.com. It shows three of the four players dressed in their Dynamo kit, with a fourth, Brazilian defender Bruno Fernandes, wearing a red shirt with a green star and the word “Houston” on the back.Brazil’s media reports claim the Brazilian side held a $2,500 signing-on fee, though the Dynamo say they are unaware of any such fee.Brazil are the only team in the competition to have three players on their World Cup rosters who have been signed by the U.S. national team.The four Brazilians played a total of seven minutes in the opening game, against Tunisia.They had also been in the last 16 in the Copa America earlier this year.Rui Faria was originally on the Brazil side to face the U.S. in July, before he was replaced with the other three players by coach Tite, who is taking over for the man who took charge a year ago, Fernando Santos.Plata was also in the Copa America squad and played in the round of 16 with Brazil when he was substituted out by coach Luiz Felipe Scolari at the quarterfinal stage against Argentina.He said he was grateful to be given the chance to play in a World Cup for the U.S. again.“First I want to thank all the Brazilians who are here,” said the 24-year-old Portuguese, also a two-time Champions League winner
