Socceroos v Brazil LIVE updates: Brazil’s behaviour sparks debate back home; Tony Popovic’s side make first appearance since World Cup

G’day from glorious, sunny, humid Townsville, where it is surely impossible to not know what’s going down tonight at Queensland Country Bank Stadium, aka The House that JT Built. It’s officially a sell-out! This might be rugby league territory, but tonight, millions of eyes will be on this place. Most of them from South America. There are signs everywhere promoting this game, and barely a vacant hotel anywhere. In my short time here, I’ve spotted many visiting Brazilians, who’ve apparently come from all parts of Australia (and beyond) to see their beloved national team.

Tonight, they are also the designated home team. There was also Brazilian-themed street party on what I understand is this city’s main drag earlier this afternoon. It would have been great to spend a few hours there – this is, after all, perfect drinking weather – but alas, like the Socceroos, I’ve got a job to do tonight. There are about 30 accredited media representatives here from Brazil, by the way, and I can only hope they will display the same levels of professionalism.

The team news is in – but some of it, we already knew. That’s because yesterday, the great Carlo Ancelotti took the unusual step of announcing Brazil’s starting XI, warning reporters not to get used to it. It is precisely as he forecast: Hugo Souza, Matheuzinho, Marquinhos, Vitor Reis, Douglas Santos, Danilo, Bruno Guimarães, Estêvão, Raphinha, Endrick and Vinícius jnr. Gulp. And here’s the Socceroos starting XI, which is close to full strength, aside from the injury-enforced absences of Jordy Bos and Mohamed Toure, and perhaps conservative management of Aiden O’Neill and Riley McGree, who have only recently returned from injuries.

Tete Yengi has been named for just his second international start, which means Nestory Irankunda will play out wide. In the words of a famous North Queenslander: let there be a thousand blossoms bloom.