Tests games scheduled at stadium of WCup opener
Test games scheduled at delayed stadium hosting World Cup opener in less than 2 months
A general view of the still unfinished Itaquerao stadium in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Tuesday, April 15, 2014. The stadium that will host the World Cup opener match between Brazil and Croatia on June 12, will hold nearly 70,000 people in the opener, but after the World Cup its capacity will be reduced to about 45,000. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)
SAO PAULO (AP) -- Brazilian club Corinthians says it has scheduled at least three test events at the stadium that will host the World Cup opener in less than two months.
The club in charge of the Itaquerao said Tuesday the first full test will be a Brazilian league match May 17, about three weeks before the Brazil-Croatia opener on June 12.
A match between construction workers will be played May 1 for about 10,000 people. An exhibition between Corinthians teams from past and present is planned for May 10 for about 20,000 fans.
The club also wants to host another league match May 24.
Although there is still work to do at the Itaquerao, constructors handed over the stadium to the club in a ceremony Tuesday.
