Here a little bit of football Arab stye.

I made it to the Qatar v Japan World Cup qualifying match last night and it was yet another bizarre Qatari experience!

We set of to the ground (we finally found out where it was at from a colleague as the match wasn't advertised at all!) and encountered the usual match day traffic, or maybe it was just rush hour Doha. Anyway, the usual Qatari mayhem and dicing with death on the roads and we got parked about 10 minutes walk from the ground - this is obviously the sensible English way to do it. Unlike all the locals who were insistent they could pile their landcruisers in as close as the lazy gits could get them to the stadium - one even pulled up outside the stadium, up onto the path and just left it there in full view of what few police were there!

We found the ticket office which had every booth manned only to be told just to go in anyway. So there were some people with tickets and some without, although they did seem to vet who came in as there wasn't one Indian to be seen in there! The trouble with free seating is that is causes mayhem inside as people try and scramble for a seat, something which a nation born to chaos find very easy to screw up completely!

Eventually we found a few of the remaining seats just as the local marching band came onto the pitch...bagpipes the lot! For some reason all the Brits found this hilarious, it was like going back 30 years to an English cup final!!!

The Al Saad Stadium itself is described on it's website as "A perfect replica of Old Trafford"...well unless Old Trafford has been bombed, rebuilt to look like a cheap version of a 3rd Division ground then I don't think it is. In true Qatari style, the stadium looks quite good on the face of things but you soon realise on closer inspection that it ain't (and never will be) finished!

On the concourse there was about 50 or so locals on the prayer mats (Qatar flags) giving it the big 'un towards Mecca...this divine intervention must surely mean they were going to win...err...no.

The mass off white dish dashes and Qatari flag waving made a good spectacle as the game kicked off, they actually appeared to be showing some spirit and passion for a change. Neither team got to grips with the game in the first 15 minutes, but it wasn't a bad affair with both teams putting in a bit of effort where they lacked in skill. Although I don't think I've seen any more theatrical diving and rolling about than that witnessed last night by the Japs! Really surprised me too as I thought they'd be above all that.

Unfortunately in true Qatari style...15 minutes attention span was up and that was it, all the supporters started getting out the ipods, mobile phones and obligatory cigarettes! They were obviously bored, while the away contingency continued there relentless chanting and banging of drums.

The boredom spread to the pitch and the Japanese got their first via some dodgy defending and through the keepers legs - a most unlikely looking 'Qatari' keeper, 6'4" and obviously African - like most of the team it would appear - looks like they've gone for the Jack Charlton citizenship approach - i.e. We can make you a Qatari no problem!

Half time and all the Qatari support stood up and milled around for a bit, although 15 minutes break still wasn't enough for them to get back to their seats in time - what do they do at half time? Go to the bookies...err no...go for a pint...err...no...bacon sandwich...errr no?

A quick goal in the 2nd half from Japan and it was pretty much over from there on in. The most comedy moment was still yet to come though.

On about 65 minutes the Japs got the third and literally as one, just about all of the home support stood up and left!!! Unbelievable, talk about loyal support!

Even better followed, as the ones who had stayed behind formed a line of white around the edges of the pitch. We thought they were going to go on a pitch invasion... but no.....as one they held each other hands and turned their back to the pitch (see pics!) and refused to watch any more of the game!!!! They stayed like that until full time, very very bizarre!

Full time...Qatar 0 Japan 3, fairly moderate game with little skill, but entertaining enough.

What a great insight, monkeehanger. Thank you for that report.

fantastic report, what a made unbelievable experience that was for you.

That picture of them facing the other way is a one of a kind.

I have heard of this kind of thing before ( turning your back on the game), Italy I think

very good report, and an enjoyable read.
This is what message boards are for!!!!

Cracking post!!!

Concurring.

Is the original post not racialist? It sort of mocks the ragheads in a way and maybe should be banned?

I think you mean racist and you should get a

You're right. I hereby ban the post.

didn't the Leeds fans turn their backs on the game after one of their lads was stabbed the night before? in Turkey.....??

Aye, marvellous stuff, I'm dying to get to a Chinese game, they get huge crowds, but the nearest is 500 Km away and they usually play in the evening so it's a hotel as well. Chengdu Blades v Guangzhou Chemicals would be my game of choice.

what time did the match kick off? i looked and saw it was 3-0 to japan after 70 odd mins on livescore and it said the local time was 0210 or something, surely this was incorrect?

good to see poolies gettin everywhere like, im trying to match it to la bombonera to see boca in april! probably get me head kicked in and wish i was bk home watching our playoff charge :p.

BRING ON LEEDS! as long as we have a 1,000 there on sat i'll be chuffed

Thanks for the comments.

The game kicked off at 7:30pm, which is unusual for round here because things never start on time!

I've just found out that there were ticket holders who couldn't get in to see the match as the stadium was full! this happens a lot here too.

I tried to go to the Qatari Cup final a few months ago and even had a ticket. Unfortunately again they had over sold the tickets and chaos ensued. Thousand were turned away.

The westerners just shrugged and gave up, the locals knew it was the norm, but the Indian contingency still tried to cram in and wouldn't give up waving their tickets. Of course the local police were well up for this and released the dogs onto them and proceeded to give them a good kicking with their batons...not good.

They seem to think they can throw money at everything here and it will work. The spend a fortune on stadiums etc but forget the infrastructure and planning. Apparently when they hosted the Asian Games it was the same. They were also convinced they were going to get the 2016 Olympics, the Olympic officals binned that in the first round.

As for racism, unfortunately it's alive and well here in the Middle East. There's a definite pecking order. A white face will always helps you get into places and get served. But I know for a fact that when I go to the shopping centre this afternoon (it's a weekend here today) they call a family day so only people with wives and kids in tow can get in. I'll be able to walk straight in through the security, but the Indians and Phillipinos will struggle.

Looking forward to some cold weather and a match or two when I get home in December! I'm also looking forward to a pint in the Mill House! I haven't been in for ages!

Is there much crime? What is the cost of living?

Did you wear your Pools shirt?

There's little or no crime in Qatar, although there has been a recent rise, it's still very safe.

I had one of my Hartlepool T-shirts on if that counts.

I might have to bring a flag back with me in the New Year as we are planning to get to a few league games too.