By our man in Qatar
AL RAYYAN, QATAR – The FIFA Arab Cup exploded into life at the magnificent Education City Stadium yesterday as Saudi Arabia snatched a dramatic 2-1 victory over Gulf rivals Oman.
The scoreline was tight, but it was the stunning, futuristic backdrop of the ‘Diamond in the Desert’ that truly caught the eye, setting a sparkling stage for the day’s high-stakes football action.
The Education City Stadium, one of Qatar’s showpiece World Cup venues, is famed for its spectacular, diamond-like facade that appears to change colour as the sun moves across the sky. And yesterday, under the glare of the floodlights, it became the crucible for a tense, hard-fought Group B opener.
The Green Falcons finally found their wings in the second half. After a goalless first period, it was Feras Al-Buraikan who lit up the dazzling venue, nodding in a powerful header to put the Saudis ahead.
The Red Warriors of Oman refused to be overshadowed by the grand surroundings, and Ghanem Al-Habashi quickly silenced the roaring crowd with a bullet header of his own to level the score.
But Education City, built to inspire brilliance, was to be a happy hunting ground for Saudi Arabia. Just minutes later, substitute Saleh Al-Shehri smashed home the winner with a blistering, side-footed volley from a delightful cross, restoring the Green Falcons’ 2-1 advantage.
The goal capped off a superb night of football in a stadium built for the biggest stage. With a capacity of over 44,000, the Education City Stadium delivered a vibrant, electrifying atmosphere, serving as a reminder that Qatar’s venues are primed for world-class action.
The Saudis walked away with the points, but the real winner was the breathtaking venue, proving it’s more than ready to host football’s elite.