It is already ten years since Exeter went Brazil, crazy how time flies!
While the 2014 World Cup played out in Brazil – awarded to mark the centenary of Brazil’s first ever match versus Exeter City – the Northcott Theatre was hosting ‘The Day We Played Brazil’, a community musical of ‘love and hope’. Meanwhile an excited group of players, officials and supporters were making the 5,600 mile journey to Rio de Janeiro to celebrate the landmark 1914 game.
Everything came together on Sunday 20 July when the Grecians had been invited back to play a Centenary Game in the Laranjeiras Stadium – the very site of the Brazil game a hundred years before (bar a day!). The iconic art deco ground belongs to Fluminense Football Club and they fielded an under 23 team to contest the ‘Friendly International’.
Getting on for 200 City fans made the mammoth trip and excitedly queued up with their glossy match tickets for the early 10.30am kick off after an even earlier visit to the Maracana, which had hosted the World Cup Final just days before. With numbers limited because of the age of the stadium – Exeter were provided with an ‘away;’ terrace opposite the main stand. The beautifully restored Governor’s Palace, captured in so many of the 1914 match photos, was just behind them. The Christ the Redeemer Statue loomed large high up beyond the ground.
The City players came over to have photos taken with the fans before speeches and national anthems took place. A ceremonial kick off was undertaken by Martin McGahey, whose great Grandfather was Chairman of Exeter City and accompanied the 1914 tour. He delivered a ball from the original Brazil match – usually on display in the Fluminense Museum.
The match was a keenly contested affair with the Brazilian youngsters quick and good at keeping the ball skilfully while City countered well when they had the chance. Exeter were twice denied goals by the offside flag. To balance this Fluminense hit the post and David Wheeler headed off the line.
As the game headed towards the end Manager Paul Tisdale came on for a cameo role and helped secure a 0-0 draw. By prior agreement, the away team would win the trophy in the event of a draw. And so City were able to celebrate with their fans. Among the young players enjoying being photographed with the cup were Matt Grimes and Ollie Watkins – both future million pound plus transferees.
The game was included in a whole page Rio newspaper round up the following day reinforcing yet again the important part Exeter City played in the development of football in Brazil.
After a sumptuous lunch and tour of the Fluminense Museum (where there is a room dedicated to Brazil v Exeter City) the tour party and supporters were bussed two and a half hours to Volta Redonda to watch Fluminense play a Brazil top division match against Santos, winning 1-0. Flu normally play at the Maracana but this was still under post World Cup quarantine.
The Club’s report on the centenary game can be seen by clicking here.
The Centenary Match trophy and other memorabilia related to our links with Brazil are currently on a special display in the Exeter City Football Club Museum.