Saudi FA gives away free tickets before Qatar game

January 17 – The Saudi Arabian FA was giving tickets away in hotels in Abu Dhabi prior to the kick off the top of the table group clash between them and Qatar tonight.

With the intensity of the diplomatic stand-off between the countries, a partisan crowd was expected at the Zayed Sports City Stadium with estimates that as many as 15,000 Saudi supporters expected to make the journey.

The Saudi Football Federation was seen distributing tickets free to anyone who asked at a plush Corniche hotel downtown Abu Dhabi. Pakistani drivers and Filipino fans were among the benefactors.

Saudi Arabian games have not drawn big attendances at the tournament, but the SFF is keen on having plenty of fans in the stadium against Qatar. Qatari fans are not allowed to travel because of the Saudi and UAE blockade of their country.

Before the game Qatar’s Spanish coach Felix Sanchez had downplayed the hostile atmosphere his Qatari team might have to face against Saudi Arabia at the Zayed Sports City Stadium, the tournament’s main venue.

“The supporters are supporting the other team, we are not worried at all,” said Sanchez. “They are professional (players). The supporters are there just to support.”

Qatar thrashed North Korea 6-0 in their second group game, but there had been no Qatari fans in the stands. The bulk of the crowd had been made up by North Korean cheerleaders.

Contact the writer of this story at moc.l1711634860labto1711634860ofdlr1711634860owedi1711634860sni@n1711634860osloh1711634860cin.l1711634860uap1711634860

 


Grp AWDLFAPts
UAE120425
Thailand111354
Bahrain111224
India011443
Grp BWDLFAPts
Jordan210307
Australia201636
Palestine021022
Syria012251
Grp CWDLFAPts
Korea rep300409
China201536
Kryzg Rep102443
Philippines003170
Grp DWDLFAPts
Iran210707
Iraq210627
Vietnam102453
Yemen0030100
 WDLFAPts
Qatar3001009
Saudi Arabia201626
Lebanon102453
DPR Korea0031140
Grp FWDLFAPts
Japan300636
Uzbekistan201346
Oman102443
Turkmenistan003230

Latest Tweets