Soccermania grips US expats

Dubai: Although it is not a very popular sport back home for them, Americans in Dubai still came out to support their 'soccer' team against the Czech Republic on Tuesday as football mania raged on across the city.

And while the American supporters were not very large in number, they more than made up for it with their enthusiasm and passion for the sport. Even after half-time with the Czech Republic already having scored two goals, the Americans still retained hope of winning the match.

"We could still win. I really hope we do. I think we have it in us to make it to the top sixteen at least," said Ashley Anderson, an American commodities trader who cheered on her team at the Hard Rock Café.

According to Anderson, the American team would only face problems if they came second in the group matches. "Then we'd have to play Brazil and we have no chance of winning against them," she said.

When asked if Americans back home would be watching the World Cup, Anderson admitted: "They probably have no idea what's going on.

"In America, soccer is not a big thing. I have been playing the game since I was five years old but I had no idea there was a World Cup until America actually hosted it."

For soccer fan Eric Heitzmann, his team's hopes lay high for the future.

"Although it is not a popular sport in America right now, it is gaining popularity. And as they say, a journey of thousand miles starts with a few steps," said Heitzmann, expressing his confidence at America becoming a team to watch out for in the football arena within the next few years.

Heitzmann was present at the Red Lion Pub along with his English wife Carmel to support America. "I am supporting America at the moment but if it's England against America, then of course I will be supporting England," said Carmel, a devoted football fan.

Meanwhile, with soccer being their national sport, Czech fans in Dubai were no less fervent in their support for the Czech team.

"We are ranked number two in the world and we are playing really well. We will definitely win this match," said Jana Kopecka, a Czech fan.

Disappointed by Milan Baros's absence, Vojta B, another avid Czech Republic fan, showed some worry but also expressed confidence in the team.

"We are playing really well but there are many physical problems with the players and so we need some luck and some good tactics. But yes, we have a good chance of doing well this world cup," he said.