Bolivian street children get special World Cup ticket

LA PAZ, Bolivia, June 9: Bolivian street children got the best World Cup ticket in town today, invited by soccer-crazy President Evo Morales to watch the opening match on television at the presidential palace.

Morales, who regularly entertains supporters with impromptu kickabouts, asked dozens of shoe-shine boys, newspaper vendors and car-washers to come to watch Germany beat Costa Rica 4-2 on a giant television screen.

Guests were served fizzy drinks and sandwiches at halftime.

Bolivia, South America's poorest country, last qualified for the World Cup in 1994.