Football reigns over 'passe' cricket as World Cup kicks off

Mumbai, June 9 (UNI) In a city which treats cricket like a religion, football today seems to be the hottest sport to follow.

Even as the world cup kicks off later today with a match between hosts Germany and Costa Rica, the Mumbaikars will have their own inaugural street football match between the Dabbawallahs (tiffin carriers) and the Boys of Brazil, an amateur street football team.

The event, Defend Your Turf, has been organised to popularise street football in India.

Dabbawallahs, which symbolise Mumbai more than anyone else, have been chosen for the match by Nokia, the event sponsor.

Meanwhile, the Mumbaikars of all ages and sexes are getting ready to be armed with sick leave from offices and barrels of beer to see them through the matches which would be played late at night in India due to the time difference.

The business community in this commercial capital is seeing a big opportunity with the FIFA Wold Cup and quite a few multiplexes in the city are planning to show the matches live on their giant screens expecting a sell-out crowd.

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