Supporters were forbidden to cheer.

On Indonesia's Java island, where 5,800 people died in May's earthquake, locals were also trying to get access to World Cup television coverage.

Football fan Faturohman said the prospect of missing out on the tournament would be painful.

"I'm ruined. The electricity in this area is only enough for lights. We can't watch TV and besides that, my set was flattened by rubble from my house," said the 19-year-old whose favourite player is England striker Michael Owen.

"People in this area really love to watch soccer. Watching the World Cup would be entertainment for us while we are still grieving from the earthquake."

Elsewhere, there are other dangers.

Three Kenyans, hoisting a television antenna to watch the World Cup, were electrocuted and nearly killed when they accidentally hit a high-voltage power line in Nairobi.