KARACHI: Brazilian flags flutter from homes across one battle-scarred Pakistani suburb, as gang warfare is set aside for the World Cup and fans, painted in the Brazil colours, vow allegiance to the South Americans.

The Karachi suburb of Lyari is known for two things: unremitting gang violence and for producing Pakistan’s best football players.

Pakistan may not be playing in the Cup, but hundreds of fans stayed up late to watch Brazil outgun Ivory Coast 3-1 on Sunday as an unusual lull came to Lyari, the most populous and oldest part of the country’s biggest city.

“Lyari is Brazil’s den and people seek happiness in football, especially Brazil, because they love this team and its players,” said local resident and former footballer Aurengzeb Shahmir.

He is among hundreds of locals who love Brazil and paint their faces in the colours of a team known for regular displays of World Cup magic.

Hours before kick-off, they throng a stadium where giant screens have been erected to watch the tournament and share dinner with fellow fans.

“Watching football is our only enjoyment. We forget all the pain and suffering in the 90-minute action and everyone wants Brazil to win the sixth title on July 11,” said Shahmir of the five-time champions.

The neighbourhood has a strong footballing tradition having produced some of the country’s top players, despite chronic law and order problems, rampant unemployment and miserable facilities.

It has however become a no-go area. Hundreds of people have died over the last decade as a result of bloody clashes between rival criminal groups; fighting broke out between police and gangs earlier this month.

The majority of the population come from Balochistan, an oil and gas-rich southwestern province.

They live in small houses on narrow streets, providing easy escape routes for
criminals.

Noted local journalist Nadir Shah Adil said the neighbourhood saw the Brazilians as spiritual cousins.

“The people of this area see racial similarities with Brazil, like if they are black and have curly hair they feel they are like South Americans and they play with the same style,” said Adil.

“They keep their love of Brazil for four years and every time the World Cup comes round they open their hearts for their beloved team.

“They own Brazil and they own Pele as someone from the streets of Lyari,”said Adil of the Brazilian super-star.

Little wonder then that Javed Carlos, a local Pakistani footballer who plays for Karachi Port Trust, wears a Brazilian shirt these days.

“We live for Brazil, eat for Brazil and breathe for Brazil,” said Javed.

“We wish them the best of luck in this World Cup and hope they bring joys for Lyari by winning the World Cup.

“It’s our lifetime dream that one day the Brazil team will visit Pakistan.We live for that day.”— AFP