India inspired and Brazil bring joga bonito against hosts
The Oslo 2025 Homeless World Cup got underway with a bang with two fantastic opening matches involving the host nation Norway.
In front of capacity crowds at the iconic Rådhusplassen in Norway’s capital, India’s women recorded the first victory of the tournament with a 7-1 win over Norway. India opened the scoring with a right-foot shot finding the net from a chance off an interception in the middle of the park, before Norway equalised with a fizzing shot from distance. Two buried chances saw India go in 3-1 at half time, before four further fantastic goals followed in the second half, with India having their goalkeeper to thank for nullifying Norway’s attempts to try and get back into the game.
India’s women's coach Pankaj Prakash Mahajan said:
“It’s a good start for us and we hope to continue this good start. The players didn’t feel that the crowd was only supporting Norway. We also felt the same support very much.”
Lavanya Maddinala, author of the first goal for India and the first goal of the Oslo 2025 Homeless World Cup, added:
“It was a great satisfaction for me to score the first goal. Everybody played well on my team.”
It was then the turn of the Norwegian men to take to the home turf, facing up against Brazil, Homeless World Cup winners last time in Oslo. Fans were treated to a frenetic encounter which saw the South American nation run out 7-2 winners. Brazil took the lead with a quick counter-attack before a second score saw them go 2-1 up. Norway clawed one back before more chances taken saw Brazil lead 3-2 at half-time.
The second half saw Brazil turn on their joga bonito, with quick breakaways and excellent finishing seeing them score four more goals without Norway being able to add to their two first-half goals.
Brazil coach Pupo Fernandes said:
“I hope this is the start of a great tournament for us and that the players continue to play like they did in the first match. They played with a lot of pride.”
Brazil player Guilherme Silva, whose stellar performance helped his team secure the win, added:
“The football style is a lot different from the football which I am used to playing. It was a great feeling to win our first match. We are very happy.”
Words by Craig Williams | Photos by Anita Milas