#Spurning World Cup favorites, Bangladeshi duo hoists South Korean colors

BANCHARAMPUR, Bangladesh (AFP) -- Bangladeshi chemist Abu Kowsir says South Korea gave his family prosperity -- so the least he can do is cheer on his benefactors when they begin their World Cup campaign this week.

He and his wife Sabina have amused and confused neighbors by stitching together South Korean flags into a 3.5-kilometer-long banner that weaves a path from their home, along nearby streets and over a river into a neighboring village.

The extravagant tribute cost them $5,000 and testifies to Kowsir's love of a country where he spent much of his adult life as a migrant worker.

"We love South Korea and this is how we chose to support the team," Sabina, 34, told Agence France-Presse. "We will keep supporting them and will pray for their victory."

Sabina herself has never been to the country where her husband toiled in factories for 15 years, but was intoxicated by the "great tales" he brought home from his time in the industrial giant.

"Whenever my husband came home from South Korea, he would tell me about the culture, discipline and beauty of the country," she said.

"I truly loved those stories. I consider South Korea my dream place to visit."

In the South Korean factory where he worked, Kowsir was responsible for scraping components out of used handsets and other consumer goods, melting down gold and preparing it for resale.

The long stretch abroad gave Kowsir, 45, the resources to start his own jewelry business at home and he credits his labor there for helping propel his family into the country's middle class.

He first set his allegiance after watching the 2002 World Cup, jointly hosted by South Korea and Japan, where he was awed by the feats of star midfielder Yoon Jong-hwan.

"Jong-hwan was my favorite player, he was brilliant," Kowsir told AFP at his home.

He said it took tailors two weeks to sew the banner, which was partially bankrolled by Kowsir's decision to sell a mango orchard he inherited from his father.

Its unfurling has caused a local stir on social media, with thousands of people visiting to catch a glimpse of it in person -- even if they do not quite understand the reasoning behind the costly endeavor.

"They are crazy, spending so much money just to show their love for their team," said Mohammad Akash, a neighbor of Kowsir and Sabina.

"People are coming to our village from all over just to see."

Bangladesh is better known for its love of cricket, with its soccer team ranking No. 192 globally and never qualifying for the premier international tournament.

But every four years, the World Cup arouses feverish passions in the South Asian nation, where soccer powerhouses Brazil and Argentina have huge followings.

Die-hard supporters spend fortunes painting their homes in the national colors of their preferred Latin American team.

The ostentatious rivalry has occasionally turned violent. During the last World Cup in 2018, rival followers of Lionel Messi and Neymar clashed with machetes in the central town of Bandar, leaving two people critically wounded.

South Korea, ranked No. 28, faces an uphill battle against No. 14 Uruguay when its campaign begins on Thursday, and the daunting prospect of a showdown with No. 9 Portugal later in the group stage.

Kowsir says he has been gently ribbed by neighbors about his side's dim prospects while drinking at a local tea stall, but he remains philosophical.

"There's victory and defeat in every game," he said. "As a Korean supporter, I hope they will play well. Even if they cannot reach the final, I will still support them."

cap: Bangladeshi chemist Abu Kowsir makes preparations to put up a 3.5-kilometer-long banner of South Korea flags along a bridge from his home to a neighboring village, Bancharampur, Bangladesh, Nov. 16. AFP-Yonhap