Gulf Cup
Well the biennial home nations football tournament of our region is underway in Bahrain. It's been a fairly low key build-up this time I think, at least here in the UAE where the typically compliant English-language media seem to have gone along with the requests of the local FA and avoided, for once, over-hyping the young national team. They've just finished dishing it out to Qatar in what the English pundits would undoubtedly describe as a "pulsating encounter", 3-1 to "our boys" though it was end-to-end and riddled with mistakes (as usual) and it could have been about 10-5.
The opener earlier between Oman and the host team was a disappointing bore draw, Oman (sans the Wigan-imprisoned Al Habsi) characteristically failing to live up to their potential (well any team that gets comfortably beaten by the current RoI wasters is probably prone to disappoint). The skill level overall is a bit less than a typical UFL game, the difference 2 or 3 Brazilians per team makes I suppose... The opening ceremony was a charming mix of slightly bumbling local efforts around the periphery of a standard international "event choreography". I thought it might get interesting when the camera picked out a guy in the crowd wearing a "V for Vendetta" mask but I guess it did not have any political significance as he was still there later on. Any Bahrain-based BEers aware of any trouble? Anyway, I'm rather fond of our little regional tournament, something genuinely local and also very accessible for ex-pats who are bothered so I'm glad it's come around again. |
Re: Gulf Cup
Originally Posted by Miss Anne Thrope
(Post 10465902)
Well the biennial home nations football tournament of our region is underway in Bahrain. It's been a fairly low key build-up this time I think, at least here in the UAE where the typically compliant English-language media seem to have gone along with the requests of the local FA and avoided, for once, over-hyping the young national team. They've just finished dishing it out to Qatar in what the English pundits would undoubtedly describe as a "pulsating encounter", 3-1 to "our boys" though it was end-to-end and riddled with mistakes (as usual) and it could have been about 10-5.
The opener earlier between Oman and the host team was a disappointing bore draw, Oman (sans the Wigan-imprisoned Al Habsi) characteristically failing to live up to their potential (well any team that gets comfortably beaten by the current RoI wasters is probably prone to disappoint). The skill level overall is a bit less than a typical UFL game, the difference 2 or 3 Brazilians per team makes I suppose... The opening ceremony was a charming mix of slightly bumbling local efforts around the periphery of a standard international "event choreography". I thought it might get interesting when the camera picked out a guy in the crowd wearing a "V for Vendetta" mask but I guess it did not have any political significance as he was still there later on. Any Bahrain-based BEers aware of any trouble? Anyway, I'm rather fond of our little regional tournament, something genuinely local and also very accessible for ex-pats who are bothered so I'm glad it's come around again. |
Re: Gulf Cup
Originally Posted by mentalist
(Post 10466357)
Are you for real?
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Re: Gulf Cup
Originally Posted by Miss Anne Thrope
(Post 10466362)
No. I made it all up. Now, as I think Patsy said elsewhere, off is the direction in which I want you to f**k.
I'd love to see some of this stuff. Was meant to go to Muscat in November for a WC Quali match, ended up being too busy and too skint. Aside from the Gulf Cup I'm keen to go and watch some local footie, without trawling the sites, can anyone suggest the team / stadium closest to Downtown? Thanks |
Re: Gulf Cup
Originally Posted by Scamp
(Post 10466373)
Fingers crossed eh.
I'd love to see some of this stuff. Was meant to go to Muscat in November for a WC Quali match, ended up being too busy and too skint. Aside from the Gulf Cup I'm keen to go and watch some local footie, without trawling the sites, can anyone suggest the team / stadium closest to Downtown? Thanks Also Al Nasr, play in Maktoum stadium not far away from Wasl, across the highway from Wafi. |
Re: Gulf Cup
Originally Posted by Miss Anne Thrope
(Post 10466512)
Al Wasl, who play in Zabeel stadium is probably your best bet - though you have missed the Maradona circus now.
Also Al Nasr, play in Maktoum stadium not far away from Wasl, across the highway from Wafi. Now to hunt down ticket info etc. |
Re: Gulf Cup
Originally Posted by Scamp
(Post 10466514)
Zabeel stadium. Interesting, will hunt down.
Now to hunt down ticket info etc. |
Re: Gulf Cup
Originally Posted by Bahtatboy
(Post 10466519)
If its like Abu Dhabi its free.
Something to tick off the list of shit I think I should do whilst I'm here. |
Re: Gulf Cup
Originally Posted by Bahtatboy
(Post 10466519)
If its like Abu Dhabi its free.
Anyway, in my limited experience, tickets are usually available for sale but then often not actually required to get into the ground. Also expat ticket prices (and seating) are often different to local so send a local friend to buy them if you can. Best idea is just to turn up on the night and see what happens (traffic and parking will be a bigger hassle than tickets anyway). Stadiums are rarely more than a fifth full. Local supporters can sometimes be great to watch - drumming, dancing, singing, all dressed in white but with some accent of the team colours - can be quite a spectacle. |
Re: Gulf Cup
Originally Posted by Miss Anne Thrope
(Post 10466526)
Depends on the match. Local rivalries here are just as fierce as anywhere and there is an inevitable political/tribal dimension and which Shaikh owns which team and whatnot. My favourite is the slagging of Al Ain (sort of the Liverpool of the UFL - previously dominant but struggling now to recapture past glories). Since their sponsorship by KFC, opposing fans turn up brandishing family buckets and chanting about Kentucky..
Anyway, in my limited experience, tickets are usually available for sale but then often not actually required to get into the ground. Also expat ticket prices (and seating) are often different to local so send a local friend to buy them if you can. Best idea is just to turn up on the night and see what happens (traffic and parking will be a bigger hassle than tickets anyway). Stadiums are rarely more than a fifth full. Local supporters can sometimes be great to watch - drumming, dancing, singing, all dressed in white but with some accent of the team colours - can be quite a spectacle. Women - unwelcome? |
Re: Gulf Cup
If you want to watch Arabic football just watch an average under 12's game as the standard is very similar.
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Re: Gulf Cup
Originally Posted by britexpat76
(Post 10466530)
If you want to watch Arabic football just watch an average under 12's game as the standard is very similar.
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Re: Gulf Cup
Originally Posted by Scamp
(Post 10466529)
Thanks, useful information. No local friends so might just head down one night and see what the crack is.
Women - unwelcome? |
Re: Gulf Cup
Me and my eldest sat in with our Saudi brehtren when Al Ittihad played in Abu Dhabi v Al Wahda in the Asian Champs League last year. Lots of Saudi girls in the away end (well the sitting bit). Ittihad won 3-0
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Re: Gulf Cup
http://www.thenational.ae/news/uae-n...l-over-the-uae
A really tense and absorbing squeaker capped by a last-minute piece of skill from the inevitable Ahmed Khalil. Into the final with 100% record and still nobody interested...ah well... |
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