FIFA World Cup 2022, Group H
Education City Stadium
Al Rayyan (Doha), Qatar
24 Nov 22
There was no official programme for the WC but they did produce an excellent 129 page Fan Guide which included all of the information that a visiting fan would require.
I purchased Cat 2 tickets for this game during the 2nd FIFA ballot on 5 Apr 23. The cost was 600 QAR (approximately £136). Uruguay qualified as 3rd place in the South American qualifiers, one place ahead of Ecuador who also qualified directly. The play off place went to Peru but they were beaten by Australia in the Play Off final on penalties. South Korea qualified from the Asian qualifiers as runner up to Iran who also qualified from Group A.
Education City Stadium has a capacity of 40000 and is located 7 km north west of central Doha at Education City in Al Rayyan. It is a striking stadium which changes colour as the sun moves across the sky, the design draws on the rich history of Islamic architecture, blending it with striking modernity. The design reflects a diamond in the desert.
Uruguay 0 South Korea 0
Attendance: 41,633
The South Koreans took the game to Uruguay but couldn't make a breakthrough. Both teams had one big chance each in the 1st half. Hwang Ui-jo skied his effort over the bar before Diego Godin's header struck the post. After the break the Taeguk Warriors offered little in attack but limited Uruguay to just few chances. One of which fell to Darwin Nunez when Kim Min-jae slipped but his pull back was saved by the keeper. In the later stages of the game, Cho Gue-sung pulled an effort wide and Uruguay came closest when Valverde's thunderbolt hit the post, then in transition Son Hueng-min fired wide. The match ended in a stalemate.
After a quick discussion at breakfast we decide to visit the Museum of Islamic Art before the match, as it was 4pm KO (mecca time) and MIA was only a short bust ride away
This Sitara (door textile) was made for Sultan Abdulmecid between 1254-78 in Cairo, Egypt during the Ottoman period.
The interior of the museum is modern and boasts great views to West Bay from the cafe
Double stairwell leading to the exhibits on different levels
The building emerges from the sea around the Corniche like a pyramid. The top tower resembles a Battoulah mask
Taking the Green Line from Msheireb to Education City enroute to the match
The walk through the university campuses of Education City
Music to serenade us on our way
There is an even mix of South Koreans and Uruguayans the rest of the fans are made up from locals and 'randoms'
Once passed security it is time for a Bud Zero
Diamond in the desert
Random Uruguay fans
Impressive architecture which enables the shell of the stadium to change colour as the sun moves across the sky
South Korean lady in traditional attire and English dude in Hawaiian rig😎
The boys are back in town
Education City Stadium Plan
Unfurling the flags
The teams are in the tunnel and the atmosphere is building
We have a great view from Block 311, in the corner and just below the South Korean fans behind the goal
The obligatory stadium shot
This pano didn't really work because of my positioning
The South Koreans unveil their surfer flag
A video taken at HT from the wheel chair section in Block 214
The South Koreans took the game to Uruguay but couldn't make a breakthrough. Both teams had one big chance each in the 1st half. Hwang Ui-jo skied his effort over the bar before Diego Godin's header struck the post. After the break the Taeguk Warriors offered little in attack but limited Uruguay to just few chances. One of which fell to Darwin Nunez when Kim Min-jae slipped but his pull back was saved by the keeper. In the later stages of the game, Cho Gue-sung pulled an effort wide and Uruguay came closest when Valverde's thunderbolt hit the post, then in transition Son Hueng-min fired wide. The match ended in a stalemate.
The Desert Diamond is starting to glisten
Steve H is also beginning to radiate
The calm before the storm as we hit the metro chaos. This was by far the worst stadium for getting away from because it was only served by the Metro and there didn't seem to be any shuttle busses, taxis or ubers; only private cars. Anyhow we kept our cool and survived the long and sober trip to the FIFA Fan Festival.
At the Fan Festival the bar is definitely open and we are not talking about Bud Zero
Bottoms up! time to be social
The big screen and to the right our friends from Costa Rica
Rule No1: Never drink with Mexicans, they will take the shirt off you're back💀💀💀
Rule No2: Don't let you're wife drink with Mexicans!👀
Rule No3: Don't drink with a Mexican Senorita😜
Rule No4: If you can't beat them join them💀
Buenos noches Senoras😍
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