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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
Sport
Joey Lynch in Townsville

Vinícius Júnior et al land in unlikely outpost of Townsville as Brazil reboot begins

Vinícius Junior of Brazil trains ahead of Friday’s friendly against Australia in Townsville.
Vinícius Junior of Brazil trains ahead of Friday’s friendly against Australia in Townsville. Photograph: Ricardo Nogueira/Sports Press Photo/Shutterstock

It’s a safe bet that Vinícius Júnior, who plays week in and week out for Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabéu, doesn’t know about North Queensland Fury. Why would he? Indeed, it is likely that none of the Brazil side that landed in Townsville on Thursday are aware of Australian football’s history in the region. Nor, perhaps, the city itself, until recently.

Maybe in the spirit of cultural exchange, then, Raphinha will be posting #BringBackTheFury on his Instagram page by the time the Seleção depart the Sunshine State next week. Such a post would only feel slightly more surreal than the Barcelona attacker rubbing shoulders at Townsville airport with almost 80 junior rugby league sides from around Queensland, jetting in for the Gordon Tallis Cup.

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