FORGET the Copa America - one group of Preston lads tasted football Brazilian style on the town's very own Waverley Park.

But despite becoming involved in an intense game of soccer, the local team have no idea who their South American opposition are, where they come from or what they are doing in Preston!

In a dramatic, impromptu game of footy held on a rainy Waverley Park - not quite the sun-drenched beaches the would-be Rovaldos normally play on - the Preston team, who all work for Toys R Us, lost 10-9.

Now they want to take their foreign friends on again - if they can track them down!

But, as none of the visitors spoke English and no-one knows where they are staying, the chances of a re-match are looking slim.

Team captain Terry Day said: "We were training for an inter-store tournament on the park one Sunday when the lads jumped out of a minibus.

"They spoke almost no English and only told us where they were from and asked if we wanted a game.

"We said yes and came close to winning.

"We think they mentioned something about a re-match on Sunday but we haven't seen or heard from them since."

Now the lads plan to wait at the pitch on Sunday evening in the hope the boys from Brazil return.

The whole episode has left the amateur footballers stumped.

Terry added: "They just got back on their mini-bus and drove off. We haven't got a clue where they came from. But they were really good footballers."

Despite contacting all the local colleges and scores of football clubs, the Citizen has been unable to track down the mystery foreign players - although rumour has it the team has also driven to Moor Park to see if any local players want a game.

Do you know who the team are? If so, call the Citizen on (01772) 255531.

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