New Arab era in football
Emiratis, GCC residents hail historic Saudi win over Argentina, say it inspires them to dare and dream bigger and higher
TThis is the beginning of a new Arab era in football. What we saw yesterday was a world-class, masterpiece of a game.
Rana Aman, Palestinian-algerian tourist in Dubai
Look at how all Arabs united yesterday. This can inspire them to do things together as an united Arab nation. Mohamed El Sawi,
Egyptian performing artist
There’s a new, young, spirit. One that tells them to dare and dream bigger and higher. I wouldn’t even be surprised if they won the World Cup.
Dalia Kaki, Saudi expat in Dubai
he stunning Saudi victory over Lionel Messiled Argentina could be a turning point in Arab history inspiring millions of youth to dream bigger and higher, residents told Khaleej Times.
In the midst of all the joyous festivities and celebrations sweeping across the region after the historic World Cup win on Tuesday, many Arabs — and other expats — are infused with hope not just in the field of football, but also for the future of the Arab world.
“There's a new, young, spirit. One that tells them to dare and dream bigger and higher,” Dalia Kaki, a Saudi citizen living in Dubai, told Khaleej Times. "You know, I wouldn't even be surprised if they [Saudi Arabia] won the World Cup,” she said, noting that the changes happening in the Kingdom were fundamental for this win.
One of the issues that Arab teams faced earlier is that they would lose hope after the first goal scored against them. “Yesterday, the team didn't do that, they played well with great tactics and they fought until the end — just look at the sequence of the goals! This mind shift is the way to go,” she said.
Dalia, whose father Abdullah Kaki was a football player, a founding member of the Al Wehda club and the first Saudi Fifa referee, said that she really would have wanted him to witness Tuesday's win. “No one would have even imagined this to happen,” she said, revealing that many Saudi residents she knew had deliberately planned meetings or some errands during the match 'to avoid watching their team lose'.
“After half-time though, everyone was glued to the screens,” she said.
Dalia said that the Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's message to the team to just “enjoy the game”, during a meeting prior to their Doha departure, also played a huge part in the win.
In a video, the Saudi Crown Prince was seen speaking to the team, congratulating them for qualifying. “No one is expecting us to draw or win a game, so I want you to be relaxed. Just play your game and enjoy the World Cup. It's a difficult group with strong teams. I don't want you to be under psychological pressure that would affect your performance,” he is seen to be telling the players.
Dalia said that message was the key: “It was a game-changer, as they just went in and enjoyed themselves and played with passion without the pressure of winning. I think this is how we need to go through life — regardless of the outcome, you just give your best.”
Rana Aman, a Palestinian-algerian tourist in Dubai and a football enthusiast said the Crown Prince's words encouraged the team to give their best and exceed expectations.
“This is the beginning of a new Arab era in football. What we saw yesterday was a world-class, masterpiece of a game. I was both shocked and amazed,” she said.
She said that the time has come to reconsider Arab football teams, and that after the performance of both the Saudi and Tunisian teams, everyone can see that Arab teams are improving.
Excellence at home
Echoing her sentiment, Mohamed El Sawi, an Egyptian performing artist, said that the win shows that Arabs don't need to leave the Middle East to excel in different fields — they can do so in their own land. “There has been a change in mindset, Saudi Arabia won with local skills, they got a manager who trained a local team who were able to win. This is a milestone; we can be successful in our home," he said.
Mohamed, who grew up in Kuwait, and played football in several clubs in Egypt, said that the Saudi win is the result of several efforts that took place over the last decade. “Football in Saudi Arabia is an event. Families attend matches and a great deal of work goes into state-of-the-art broadcasting. They have qualified many times for the World Cup and they are always improving,” he said.
The win also showed how football and sports can bring people together, Mohamed said. “Qatar's super organisation of the World Cup is an eye opener.
“Also, look at how all Arabs united yesterday. This can inspire them to do things together as an united Arab nation,” he said.
Sherif Al Ansary, an Egyptian mechanical engineer living in Riyadh said that Arab football keeps getting better and better, and this was close to a miracle. Arab teams sometimes feel inferior to western teams, he said. “This win will make a difference psychologically for all Arab teams. They can play with big teams, nothing is impossible,” he said, adding “if you work on your own skills, you really can become something; and it doesn't only apply to the world of sports.”