DOHA: A capacity crowd of 3,000 football supporters on Tuesday packed a dedicated zone in the Qatari capital to watch the Saudi national team kick off their AFC Asian Cup campaign with a hard-fought victory over Oman.
Tensions ran high in the Falcon’s Nest fan zone, set up in Doha by the Saudi Arabian Football Federation, as the Green Falcons came from behind to beat the Omanis 2-1 with a last-gasp stoppage-time winner.
Fans unable to make it to the Saudi team’s opening Group F match at the Khalifa International Stadium were able to view the action on a giant screen.
SAFF President Yasser Al-Misehal said: “We’re thrilled that so many fans chose Falcon’s Nest as their preferred destination to watch our men’s national team in action – this is one of the main reasons why it’s open throughout the tournament.
“They want to experience incredible atmospheres within the host nation and Falcon’s Nest offers precisely this. It’s a home of football where brilliant matchday experiences are there for everyone to enjoy,” he added.
Located within Doha’s Katara Cultural Village, the zone will be broadcasting the tournament’s matches from 4 p.m. daily until Feb. 10, when the competition final takes place.
As well as screening games, the facility, which is open to fans of all nationalities, also houses a museum showcasing the history of Saudi football.
Another area offers sports games, challenges, and football skills tests where fans can track the speed of their shots, accuracy of passes, and learn the art of chipping a ball.
In addition, a Realm of the Impossible interactive experience allows visitors to step into the boots of footballing legends and replicate some of the most iconic goals scored for Saudi Arabia in major tournaments.
And the zone also has a merchandise shop where visitors can buy customized items including Saudi national team jerseys.
The Falcon’s Nest is open daily from 4 p.m. to 12 a.m. with various food and beverage options available.
Thousands flock to Falcon’s Nest fan zone for Saudi Arabia’s AFC Asian Cup opener
https://arab.news/r5nq4
Thousands flock to Falcon’s Nest fan zone for Saudi Arabia’s AFC Asian Cup opener
- ‘We’re thrilled so many fans chose Falcon’s Nest as their preferred destination to watch our men’s national team’: Saudi football federation president
- Zone can accommodate 3,000 fans, will broadcast tournament matches daily from 4 p.m.
Saudi Arabia edge Kyrgyzstan 1-0 in AFC U23 Asian Cup opener
- Al-Nassr’s Rakan Al-Ghamdi struck in the 88th minute as 2022 champions Saudi Arabia got off to a winning start
JEDDAH: Rakan Al-Ghamdi struck late as Saudi Arabia edged a plucky Kyrgyzstan 1-0 in their AFC U23 Asian Cup Group A opener on Tuesday.
Debutants Kyrgyzstan, reduced to 10 men in the 34th minute, looked on course for a point after goalkeeper Kurmanbek Nurlanbekov had saved Musab Al-Juwayr’s penalty but Al-Nassr’s Al-Ghamdi struck in the 88th minute as 2022 champions Saudi Arabia got off to a winning start.
Both sides went on the offensive from the start with Saudi Arabia’s Abdullah Radif sending his effort from outside the box high as early as the second minute, while Beknaz Almazbekov had his shot from distance blocked two minutes later.
The hosts began to assert their dominance before suffering a setback in the 13th minute when captain Abdullah Radif was subbed off due to injury with Majed Abdullah taking his place.
However, his absence failed to deter the 2022 champions’ resolve as they almost took the lead in the 15th minute after Abdullah pounced on a stray pass from Anton Polev, only to see his low drive from inside the box saved by Nurlanbekov.
The Central Asian side’s exuberance suffered a dent in the 34th minute when Arsen Sharshenbekov received his marching orders for stamping Abdulaziz Al-Elewai’s ankle, following a VAR review.
Saudi Arabia, however, failed to trouble Nurlanbekov despite the numerical advantage with Kyrgyzstan still very much in the game going into the break.
Nurlanbekov continued to frustrate Saudi Arabia in the second half with the FC Dordoi Bishkek keeper foiling Faris Al-Ghamdi from distance in the 48th minute.
Saudi Arabia almost found the opener just after the hour mark when Yaseen Al-Zubaidi and Abdulaziz Al-Elewai exchanged passes with the latter breaking into the box, only to see his shot from a difficult angle closed down by Nurlanbekov.
Spurred on by their passionate home support, Saudi Arabia’s pressure earned them a penalty in the 74th minute after Arslan Bekberdinov’s handball but Nurlanbekov judged correctly to deny Al-Juwayr from the spot with his outstretched right-handed save.
Saudi Arabia finally found a way through in the 88th minute after Al-Juwayr’s clever pass found Al-Ghamdi, who rifled his shot past Nurlanbekov to seal the victory.
Saudi Arabia will meet Jordan on Friday while Kyrgyzstan will aim to bounce back against Vietnam.
