JEDDAH: Atletico Madrid won their first ever exhibition match on Gulf soil by beating Al-Ittihad FC 3-2 at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium on Friday night.
Juafran opened the scoring in the 23rd minute. Torres and Gimenez added two more goals to the tally.
It was a first ever outing for 2014 La Liga champions on the Gulf soil.
The 62,000-seat stadium was packed to capacity, giving almost the renowned atmosphere of Westfalenstadion Stadium of famous German club Borussia Dortmund.
The Saudi National anthem was played followed by the historical clip of the club and folklore graced the inauguration sending all the spectators into the wild excitement prior the match.
During the match, the host never showed any signs of being a non-European club and was equally competitive from start to finish.
Credit to electric, passionate and colorful Al-Ittihad supporters who cheered their team till the final whistle. The hosts led 2-1 at the breather. However, they conceded two goals in the 62nd and 70th minutes respectively.
It was a spirited performance from Al Ittihad FC which too a lot of courage going into their routine domestic match. For Atletico Madrid, it was a sweet present on their Christmas break as they travel back to Spain tonight.
“It is a dream come true for me to see my team play one of the top teams in Europe at my home. I am full of praise for my club management who gave us this once in a lifetime opportunity to come and enjoy this wonderful occasion,” said Abdullah 29-year-old die-hard Al-Ittihad fan.
My father brought me here as he is a big Ittihad fan. Although it is very noisy, I’ am enjoying it with my Pepsi and chips,” said Ismail, 15, another Ittihad fan.
The Christmas break in La Liga had given Atletico a chance to travel to Saudi Arabia. The reason Ittihad chose Atletico Madrid was the side’s incredible form in Spanish and European soccer as well as the fact that Atletico have not played in the Gulf region. Atletico won La Liga in 2014 was twice runner-up in the Champions League in 2014 and 2016.
This was the second high-profile match involving Saudi teams. Earlier this month, league champion Al-Ahli played in an exhibition against another popular La Liga team Barcelona in Doha, which ended 5-3 to Barcelona.
Gallant Al-Ittihad goes down fighting to Atletico Madrid
Gallant Al-Ittihad goes down fighting to Atletico Madrid
WWE star praises Saudi fans as excitement builds on eve of Royal Rumble in Riyadh
- The event on Saturday at the newly built, 25,000-seater KAFD Arena will be the first traditional Royal Rumble staged outside North America
- Saudi fans ‘are so energetic and loud … They’re bringing the energy. They’re going to bring it to SmackDown, to Royal Rumble and, next year, to WrestleMania,’ says WWE star Matt Cardona
RIYADH: A landmark Royal Rumble weekend in Riyadh got underway on Friday, with WWE superstar Matt Cardona sharing his impressions of Saudi Arabia and the local fans as momentum built for the promotion’s marquee premium live event on Saturday.
The event, part of Riyadh Season, is the first “Big Five” WWE show of the year and the first traditional Royal Rumble staged outside North America. It will take place at the newly built KAFD Arena, which was constructed in a record-breaking time of just 35 days, and has seating for about 25,000 fans, an open-roof design and what are described as immersive architectural elements.
In recent years, WWE has expanded its global footprint by staging major events across the Middle East and Europe, offering fans in Saudi Arabia and other countries the opportunity to see their favorite fighters in action.
Cardona told Arab News that the relationship between WWE and Riyadh Season continues to grow, and revealed what he and his fellow wrestlers have been up to since arriving in the Kingdom.
“We went to Six Flags, we rode the tallest, longest roller coaster, then we get to wrestle,” said the former WWE US and Intercontinental Champion and NWA World Heavyweight Champion.
“So for me, as a big fan, a big kid, getting to go to Six Flags when I get to wrestle, this is a dream come true.”
Professional wrestling has built a strong following in Saudi Arabia over the years, and now generations of fans who grew up watching bouts on television have the chance to attend major events in person and see their favorite stars in action.
What once seemed a distant dream for many in the Kingdom has become a reality in recent years, after the WWE and the Saudi General Entertainment Authority began working together to bring live events to the country in line with Saudi Vision 2030’s entertainment goals.
Cardona has been impressed by the passion and enthusiasm of the Saudi fans he has encountered.
“The fans here are so energetic and loud,” he said. “Even yesterday, we were just doing meet-and-greets, photo ops and autographs, and they’re chanting like we’re already in the ring.
“They’re bringing the energy. They’re going to bring it to SmackDown, to Royal Rumble and, next year, to WrestleMania.”
Since the partnership with Saudi authorities began, WWE has staged several major events in the Kingdom including Crown Jewel, Elimination Chamber, and King and Queen of the Ring. The date for next year’s WrestleMania 43 in Riyadh has yet to be announced.
