SHILLONG: All set to capture the attention of billions of fans over the course of the month-long tournament, the 2014 FIFA World Cup will begin in Sao Paulo, Brazil, between the hosts and Croatia in a Group A match at 1:30am India time on Friday morning.
The opening ceremony will begin at 11:45pm India time and is expected to last around half an hour.
The hosts are the one of the strong favourites to lift the cup and expectations from the estimated 60,000-plus fans at the Arena Corinthians will give added impetus and pressure to the Selecao, who have won their opening game at the last eight World Cups.
Neymar, Fred, Jo and Hulk will be counted on for goals, but the defence looks shaky even though Brazil can boast of David Luiz.
Croatia, meanwhile, have lost their last four World Cup matches; they did not qualify for 2010. The Balkan nation stunned all in 1998 where they finished third, but haven’t been able to replicate that same level of sucess.
This year they will have Luka Modric, Nikica Jelavic and Mario Mandzjukic to bank on.
Shillong is fully in tune with World Cup fever with fans giving their suggestions, predictions and support for their favourite teams on social networking websites as well as at home, school and the workplace and Meghalaya is sure to be glued to the action half a world away.

TONIGHT’S MATCH

Group A – Brazil vs Croatia (1:30am IST)