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Associated Press- PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti Aug 29, 2005 ? Brazilian peacekeepers have offered all sorts of things: free medical care, movie screenings, haircuts. Now, in the violence-torn slum of Bel-Air, they're trying to win over residents by turning to a natural resource from home: soccer.

In a sign of easing tensions, a five-player team from the U.N. force swapped assault rifles and body armor for shorts and sneakers Saturday in a game against Haitian slum dwellers and got trounced.

Struggling on an uneven concrete street that doubled as a soccer field with orange traffic cones for goal posts, the Brazilian troops tried in vain to make plays before a crowd of hundreds deliriously cheering the home team.

"It's amazing. These guys are world champions, and we're trashing them!" said spectator Jean-Marie Pierre, referring to Brazil's national soccer team, which won its fifth World Cup in 2002.

Pierre lost track of the score at around 7-0. Later, he and dozens of other fans triumphantly rushed the field after the home team deftly laced another shot past the Brazilian goal.

The scene was a major departure for U.N. troops, which last month were shot at almost daily when they began pushing deeper into the community teeming with well-armed gangs loyal to ousted President Jean-Bertrand Aristide.

Since starting the games a week ago, peacekeepers say the haven't received a single report of violence in the neighborhood which has also benefited from U.N.-sponsored health clinics, movie screenings and free haircuts.

"Our job here is to make people's lives better. Sport brings people together and makes everyone happy," said Corp. Leonidas Carneiro, commander of Brazilian troops in Bel-Air.

Well, not everyone.

Several members of Carneiro's squad winced and stomped their feet in frustration at their poor showing. They later laughed it off and joked with fans, some of them throwing their support behind the Brazilians.

"First, because they're handsome, also because they're nice with us," said 10-year-old Martine Saint Preux as she cheered on the Brazilian goalkeeper after another missed save.

Next to her, Jean-Marie Joseph agreed.

"They protect us from police raids," he said, pointing to a spot up the road where Haitian police accompanied by a machete-wielding mob allegedly killed at least five civilians two weeks ago. Several residents say violence is aimed at intimidating Aristide supporters leading to the November general elections.

Police deny the charges and say in the last year gang members have killed more than 50 officers in this warren of crumbling buildings, burned out cars and trash-strewn streets.

The 7,600-strong U.N. mission was sent to the Caribbean nation in June 2004 to restore stability in the wake of a bloody rebellion that toppled Aristide in February 2004.

Peacekeepers recently have been intensifying efforts to root out politically aligned gangs entrenched in the slums of the capital, Port-au-Prince, looking to boost security for the fall elections.

Carneiro, the troop commander, said his soldiers can empathize with those living in Bel-Air because many come from Rio de Janeiro's gritty slums.

"They understand this place," he said. "They know how to walk the streets, talk to people."

Carneiro is pleased relations are better, but losing games wasn't part of the plan. After all, this is soccer, and Brazil. Pride is at stake.

"I'm lining up a better team for this afternoon's match," he said.