NO GOALS BUT PLENTY OF PRIDE
▶ Asian Cup fans desperate to see their heroes in action after shock defeat for fancied Australian side
Sharjah was gripped by football fever as thousands of supporters arrived for the eagerly awaited Asian Cup clash between Palestine and Syria.
Outside the stadium was a sea of colour as fans of both sides queued up to catch their heroes in action in the UAE.
Both sets of supporters were in high spirits going into the ground, having been buoyed earlier in the day by Australia’s shock defeat to Jordan in the same group.
The match itself could not live up to the anticipation, however, as the Group B rivals played out a 0-0 stalemate.
But it is a result that keeps both teams in the running for a place in the knockout stages of the competition.
The excitement for the game was so high that many were left desperately seeking tickets to the big match before kick-off.
“I have queued for two days to try to get tickets for me and my boy,” said Chamil Al Akabani, 41, a businessman working in Dubai, who was anxiously trying to get tickets to see his native Syria in action.
“Me and my son Alan have been here since 9am on Saturday morning hoping we could get a ticket from someone, although we have had no luck yet,” he said, only minutes from kick-off.
They were not the only set of supporters outside the ground trying desperately to get a ticket.
Mohamed Tariq, 19, a Syrian supporter, was also on the hunt for a precious ticket.
“I’m excited for the match but I’m worried that we are not going to get tickets,” he said.
His countryman Mohamed Jlall, 24, was more optimistic despite the slim chances of obtaining a ticket.
“I don’t have a ticket but that won’t stop me from shouting for Syria,” he said, beating the drum he brought along with him.
“We’re going to win of course.”
Those who had tickets only had to worry about how the game would unfold once it kicked off – and supporters of both teams had their sights firmly set on a crucial win.
“Syria is going to win 2-1, I am sure of it,” said Tammam Khouri, 36, who works for an oil and gas company in Dubai.
“This is an important first step for the team – we have to win.”
Fellow Syrian Joseph Salin, 42, also believed that the match was going to bear fruit for his national side.
“It’s wide open now that Australia were beaten by Jordan,” he said. “That blows the whole group wide open and I believe this is the best Syrian side since 1987, so it’s now or never.”
It was not all about the Syrian fans outside the ground, however. The Palestinian supporters were in full voice too with many people predicting a famous victory.
“We are going to do it, inshallah,” said Ashraf Barwamawi, 46, vice president of a civil engineering company in the UAE.
Sami Khouri, 24, who works in the hospitality industry in Dubai, said that the match meant everything to him as a Palestinian.
“I really think we can do it but win or lose we’ll support them until the end,” he said.
“I know the players won’t let us down so it is up to us as fans to do our bit as well.”
Rami Bahdari, 26, said that he could not believe that Palestine were playing in his adopted home town of Sharjah.
“I was so lucky to get these tickets for the game,” he said.
“A lot of my friends missed out on tickets, they are still outside the ground hoping someone sells them some.”
Mahmoud Maher, 43, was with his family decked out in the Palestinian colours of red, white, black and green.
“My family is here with me tonight and we are hoping to see Palestine win,” he said.
“If not we will settle for a draw but we won’t be beaten.”