Last night's 2-1 win over North Korea may not have been the most scintillating performance in Brazil's history, but the world was treated to two classy strikes from Maicon and Elano, there was plenty of silky footwork to savour and the promise of more to come.

Brazil may not always be the best side in the Finals, but they invariably carry the greatest expectations. And while others watching around the planet may admire or even envy them, we few, happy few band of Saints supporters, alone, can take a parental pride in their successes - after all, it was one of our lads that gave Brazil the "beautiful game" - it was on the playing fields of Southampton that Brazil's five World Cup championships were won.

Almost every Brazilian can tell you that Charles Miller brought football to Brazil (two footballs and a copy of the Hampshire FA Rule Book to be exact) but the fact that he learned the finer points of the game in Southampton is all too often overlooked.

Born in São Paulo, the nine-year-old Charlie was sent to be educated at Banister Court School in 1884. If you are old enough to remember the Mayflower Suite or the Speedway Stadium, you'll know where the school was situated, near Stag Gates. There, despite his slight stature, he excelled at cricket and football.

He played for St Mary's (as the Saints were then known) and from the age of 17 was a stalwart of the Hampshire FA XI. Returning home in 1894, as Saints embarked on the first Southern League season, he joined the São Paulo Athletic Club to play cricket, and it was there he organised Brazil's first football club and, later, its first football competition, the Liga Paulista de Futebol.

O resto, as they say in Brazil, é história.  

St Mary's FC 1893 - Charles Miller is seated far left

The fascinating and insightful ten page supplement is available to read now on-line for the first time here >>> SFC vs Exeter programme