DOHA: We’re now six days into the World Cup and rules around alcohol service in Qatar have continued to be as inconsistent as they were a week ago, as Australians who were hoping for a few breakfast beverages before the Socceroos’ clash with Tunisia will be left high and dry.
Multiple venues in the area confirmed to Wide World of Sports that, even a few days ago, they were still advertising pre-match events with breakfast and beer options – but a last-minute pivot has ruined those plans.
While initial conversations with authorities proved positive, the government went back on the decision and will instead enforce the traditional cut-off time of 11am for alcohol service.
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“Unfortunately we have had to cancel our Pre Match Drinks at the Aussie Hive on Saturday due to the government changing their rules last minute regarding the sale of alcohol before 11am,” said Mitch Scott, who helps manage events at the Hive bar in Doha, which serves as a de facto hub for Australian fans.
Some might still be able to sneak in a cheeky pint or two, but with the Australia game at 1pm local, and having to allow plenty of time to make it to the venue, it’ll be post-match festivities instead.
Fans are instead heading to the Al Bidda Park fanzone in the morning to congregate – albeit soberly.
American fans find common ground with Aussies
Walking through the Souq Waqif in the Doha’ city centre, it doesn’t take long hear the all-too-familiar ‘USA! USA!’ chants ringing out among a group of red, white, blue-kitted travellers.
Ahead of their match against England, a few hundred US fans gathered in the area for a pre-game rally – and for them, coming to Qatar meant missing Thanksgiving at home, which is one of the most important days on their holiday calendar.
”In a lot of ways it was a good excuse to not have to have those political discussions with my family,” joked Ryan Shirah, a Florida-based USA fan.
“It’s kind of nice to just be like ‘oh sorry, I’m in another country watching a sport you don’t care about’.”
A few other, more-creative chants ring out, including ‘throw the tea in the harbour’ and ‘you got kicked out of Europe’ – and if there’s one group that relishes beating England as much as Australians do, it’s this lot.
“There’s definitely a kinship with Australia – Irish, Scottish, Welsh too – we all hate the English,” Shirah said.
He and some other Americans were in the Green and Gold Army for the France game, and were trying to get tickets to Tunisia.
“Australians are just so welcoming as a nation and as a people, and we’re stoked because there’s so many of us coming to the Women’s World Cup next year as well,” he said.
“In fact, there’s a lot of our fans who didn’t come to Qatar because they’re saving up for that.”
Every Friday is Good Friday
An interesting quirk about Qatar life caught a lot of visitors flat-footed on Friday morning – with the nation effectively shutting down for prayers until the afternoon.
Most cafes, shops and other venues, including official FIFA buildings were closed until after midday or 1pm, which many visitors would not have realised.
A massive group of worshippers were seen praying outside the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium on Friday morning, ahead of the clash between Iran and Wales – the former winning a thriller with two late goals.
Saudi boss sledges own players, gets superb results
Video has surfaced of an inspiring half-time team talk from Saudi Arabia coach Herve Renard, where he berated his players for showing Argentinian superstar Lionel Messi too much respect when he had the ball.
Renard urged the Green Falcons to be tighter on Messi when he had the ball, as the magical No.10 had a relatively easy time of things in the opening 45 minutes.
“Take your phone, you can take your picture with him if you want,” he shouted derisively at his players during the break, with the Saudis trailing 1-0.
It worked a treat – they came out for the second half and put in a performance for the ages and scoring twice to secure a famous 2-1 win.
Hosts complete historically-embarrassing feat
Qatar’s performance at this tournament was always going to be put under a microscope, and it’s fair to say they’ve completely failed.
Not only are they the first team eliminated, they’re the first host nation to EVER be knocked out after just two group stage games.
They’ll finish their campaign against the Netherlands next week, and it will be very interesting to see how many Qatar fans are in attendance.
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