Veteran Bangladeshi actor Abul Hayat is hoping for a convincing Brazil victory as the South American giants prepare to take on Haiti in an early morning FIFA World Cup fixture on Bangladesh time Saturday, 6:30 am.
A long-time admirer of the five-time world champions, the celebrated actor said he has remained loyal to Brazil through both triumphs and setbacks. While he acknowledged concerns over the absence of star forward Neymar due to illness, he remains optimistic about the team’s chances and expects Brazil to secure a 2-0 victory.
“I like to introduce myself as a devoted Brazil supporter. I am essentially a fan of the brand itself,” Abul Hayat said. “I grew up reading about Pele’s achievements in books. My lasting affection for Brazil probably began during the 1986 World Cup. Even during difficult periods, I never withdraw my support.”
Despite his confidence, the veteran actor admitted that Neymar’s absence has raised questions about how the team will cope on the field. Following Brazil’s draw in their previous match, many supporters were left disappointed. However, Hayat believes the team is capable of delivering a stronger performance against Haiti.
Expressing his hopes for the match, he predicted a 2-0 scoreline in Brazil’s favour.
Asked why he chose that particular result, he replied with a laugh: “There is no deep thought behind it. It just came to my mind. Brazil should not be conceding any goals.”
Like many Brazilian supporters, Hayat still carries the painful memory of the team’s historic 7-1 defeat to Germany in the 2014 World Cup semi-final. He recalled that the loss left him deeply saddened and affected his mood for days.
“I was in tremendous depression that day,” he said, reflecting on one of the darkest moments in Brazil’s football history.
Football rivalries are also present within his own family. While Hayat remains firmly committed to Brazil, his wife is an ardent supporter of Argentina and particularly enjoys watching Lionel Messi. Interestingly, the actor himself is also a fan of Messi’s footballing brilliance despite supporting Argentina’s biggest rivals.
As a result, he often finds himself on the receiving end of playful banter from Argentina supporters, something he says he accepts with a smile.
Beyond Brazil, Hayat closely follows several emerging football nations. He expressed admiration for the progress made by countries such as Japan and South Korea, while also enjoying England’s style of play.
At the same time, he questioned why Bangladesh continues to lag behind in football despite having a population of around 170 million people. He pointed to the rapid development of smaller nations, including Cape Verde, as examples of what can be achieved with proper planning and investment.
According to him, Bangladesh can also make significant progress in football if the sport receives effective administrative support and talented players are identified and nurtured from the grassroots level.
For now, however, his focus remains on Brazil’s upcoming challenge and he will be hoping his beloved Selecao can deliver the 2-0 victory he has confidently predicted.
