Nicaragua opens virtual stadium for World Cup fans

Source:Xinhua Published: 2014-7-8 9:34:22

Some 30,000 Nicaraguan football fans will be able to follow the 2014 Brazil World Cup at a virtual stadium set up by the government, a source said Monday.

Milton Ruiz, the coordinator of Nicaragua's Alexis Arguello Sports Movement, said the facility in the south of the capital Managua is ready to feature the Brazil vs. Germany semifinal match Tuesday.

The bleachers, giant screen and broadcasting gear were installed for the semifinals and finals, confirmed Ruiz at a press conference.

Nicaraguan football fans are expecting to see Brazil defeat Germany, even with star footballer Neymar out of the competition due to a back injury sustained in Brazil's match against Colombia.

Nicaragua's Virtual Stadium has been erected at the Plaza de las Victorias in Managua's Zona Rosa district, an area usually reserved for political rallies by the ruling Sandinista National Liberation Front (FSLN).

The site will bring the World Cup to the fans, just as the Fan Fests organized in Brazil by world football governing body FIFA allow people with no tickets to the games in the 12 host cities to gather and watch the matches on giant screens.

Nicaragua's Fan Fest "will be totally free for the entire Nicaraguan family," so those who want can watch "the live transmission of the semifinal and final games," said Ruiz.

On Wednesday, Argentina will face the Netherlands in the second semifinal match, followed by the third-place match on Saturday and the final championship match on Sunday, July 13.

"I'm going with Brazil even though Neymar isn't playing due to injury," football fan Sury Sanchez told Xinhua.

Already sporting the yellow and green jersey of her favorite team, Sanchez added, "they're going to win."

Yaser Lopez told Xinhua Brazil will defeat the Germans because it has a more innovative team.

Brazil "will then defeat whoever wins the game between Argentina and the Netherlands," said Lopez.

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