UAE Football Supporters Disappointed Over Limited Tickets for Crucial Qatar World Cup Qualifier
As-salamu alaykum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh! UAE football fans are feeling let down by the small number of tickets allocated for the important World Cup qualifying match against Qatar. Their section sold out within just five minutes, leaving many supporters without a way to attend.
The UAE national team will play against Qatar, the hosts of this three-team playoff, on Tuesday night. A win or even a draw will secure their spot in next summer’s World Cup.
Many Emirati fans have traveled to Doha to cheer on the team. Before their first match against Oman on Saturday, they gathered in large numbers at Souk Waqif, waving flags, singing, and showing great enthusiasm.
For that game, 5,000 tickets were available to UAE supporters, and most fans were seated well before kickoff. But for the crucial match against Qatar, only 1,200 tickets-about 8 percent of the total-were given to UAE fans.
The game will be held at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium, which holds 15,000 people and is smaller than the stadiums used during the last World Cup Qatar hosted. Unsurprisingly, tickets sold out immediately, leaving thousands of Emiratis without seats.
The UAE Football Association shared guidance on how fans could secure tickets and suggested alternative ways to watch the match together on large screens in Doha. They also invited supporters to watch the game at venues like the Sheraton Hotel and Radisson Blu, providing cheering equipment to boost the atmosphere.
The strong presence of UAE supporters in Doha has caught the attention of the players. Some shared photos of the fans from Souk Waqif on social media before the Oman game. Team captain Khalid Essa even spoke with the lead fan group after their exciting 2-1 comeback win.
Players like Caio Canedo expressed how much the fans’ support means to them, promising to focus on playing well and aiming to qualify for the World Cup as a way to give back to their supporters. Midfielder Nicolas Gimenez also thanked the fans for their motivation and pledged to keep fighting for the country.
Coach Cosmin Olaroiu chose not to criticize the organization of the playoff, focusing instead on preparing the team. He did, however, acknowledge that having only about three days between matches is not ideal for recovery, wishing there had been four days instead.
Despite the challenges, the UAE team remains determined to give their best and make their nation proud. Insha’Allah, with the support of their loyal fans and by the grace of Allah, they will achieve success in this important qualification journey.
https://www.thenationalnews.co