PETALING JAYA: Each time the Portuguese national football team gears up for international tournaments, the Portuguese Settlement in Melaka becomes more than just a village.
The open-air stage here transforms into a mass viewing party with a big screen, projector, loudspeakers and rows of chairs set up for the Portuguese-Eurasian community to catch Portugal in action.
And it’s not just the residents who will be cheering them on in the FIFA World Cup 2026 – members of the community working as far as Singapore will also be returning to watch the games.
Among them is Virgel Augustine Sta Maria, who made it a point to travel back and watch Portugal’s opening game against the Democratic Republic of Congo.
“I have been supporting them since my childhood, and the thing we love most about being of Portuguese heritage is our descent.
“There is just an air of excitement whenever everyone in the community comes together for these games,” said the 35-year-old master of ceremonies based in the Klang Valley.
He will also be travelling back for the community’s San Pedro Festival next week. It also coincides with another Portugal game.
Singapore-based Shane Emmanuel Lazaroo, 32, is also looking forward to catching Portugal’s game next week, when he returns for the festival.
“This year marks the first time I have been unable to catch Portugal’s opening game.
“Mass viewing parties for the Portugal games are a tradition, and we’ve done this since our youth, and we want to keep it going,” said Lazaroo.
Lydia Murty, 37, said the excitement of the entire community coming together is unmatched.
“Whenever there’s a live screening, I make it a point to be there,” said Murty, who has been doing this for 15 years together with family members and close friends from the community.
“People of all ages, from children to adults, gather to watch the match, dressed in Portugal jerseys with flags flying everywhere.
“There’s a strong sense of pride, unity and celebration that makes the experience truly special,” said the creative entrepreneur who is based in the settlement.
Kampung Portugis Village Development and Security Committees (JPKK) secretary Joanne Sequerah said there are currently two games lined up for screening.
The first was Portugal’s opening game against Congo and the second game against Uzbekistan on Wednesday.
The JPKK are co-organising the watch parties together with the Kota Melaka parliamentary service centre and the Bandar Hilir Constituency Development and Coordination Committee.
On top of the viewing parties, residents have also been allowed to open stalls to sell refreshments during the events, said Sequerah.
“We’ve also had instances of people bringing mats over to sit and join the matches as everyone wants to feel at home.
“There are also plans to organise lucky draws and giveaways for the later games,” she said.
