Sao Paulo ready for World Cup opener

Brazilian officials hailed as a success the final World Cup test event at Sao Paulo's Itaquerao stadium Sunday.

A crowd of 37,000 - just over half the venue's capacity - saw Corinthians draw 1-1 with Botafogo in Brazil's Serie A championship, reported Xinhua.

Football's governing body FIFA had requested the match be played at the stadium as a final trial before it hosts the World Cup opener between Brazil and Croatia June 12.

"Everything is going to get better with more practice," local organising committee operations manager Thiago Paes said.

"The second test was better than the first and for the next match we are all going to be more familiarized."

Media said the fixture was a marked improvement on the first test event May 18, which was beset by electrical problems and leaks.

"There were advances in relations to cleanliness, lighting and finishing work," Brazilian newspaper O Globo reported.

The Itaquerao will host six World Cup matches, including a semi-final July 9.