FIFA World Cup 2022, Group B
Al Bayt Stadium
Al Khor, Qatar
25 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.
Tickets for England's second group game against the USA were initially undersubscribed for Cat 3. The allocation was 100 x Cat 1, 1013 x Cat 2 and 3036 at Cat 3; a total of 4158 tickets, which was 1669 more than the allocation for the Iran game. At £53 a punt I was always aiming for the reasonably priced Cat 3 tickets, so no ticket dramas for me.
The Al Bayt Stadium has a capacity of 68,000 and is located in the north of Qatar at Al Khor, 35 km north of central Doha. The stadium design was inspired by the the traditional nomadic tent, the 'bayt al sha'ar' tents. The stadium will host 9 matches in total, 6 group stage matches (including the opening match between Qatar and Ecuador), a Round of 16 match, a Quarter Final match and the second Semi Final
England 0 USA 0
Attendance: 68463
The match turned into a bit of a disappointment and England were booed off by their supporters who felt let down following the raised expectation when the team demolished Iran 6 goals to 2. The USA put on a lively performance with their intense pressing tactic which nearly paid off when Christian Pulsic hit the bar in the 1st half. England went close on two occasions. Mason Mount had a low drive well saved by Matt Turner and Harry Kane headed wide in 2nd half stoppage time. In the end, no team did enough to win and 0:0 was fair result.
Before the match we changed accommodation to an apartment in Umm Ghuwailina, just a stones throw from the metro station of the same name. For 4 nights it cost me £743, which was a bit over budget for us😡
Across the road from us is the local Mosque
The prayer schedule confirms there will be no requirement to set an alarm clock
We managed on our second attempt to meet up with the Bahrain lads. The venue was the Belgium Cafe at the Intercontinental Hotel on West Bay
The Bahrain Lads and the Grantham Rams RV at the Belgium Cafe for the first of many occassions
Me and Kev Braddell sporting the England 22 strips (H and A), Sue is in the background in the blue Trg top with Shane in the very popular retro 82 (H) top . Dressed to kill 💀😉
The taxi drop off is the bridge over the Al Khor coastal road
Here we go!
Grantham Rams and the Bahrain Lads on tour
First glimpse of the amazing Al Bayt Stadium
Heading up to the ticket scanners
Selfie with Shane, Kev and Sue
Female Qatari freestyler with street artist
Arabian Female Freestyler - one for the BBC💩
Stairs leading up to the fan park
Short clip of Sue line dancing
USA v England dance off
Sue hits the USA dancer with some fresh Zumba moves which confuses the USA dancer. The line is broken.1:0 England
After passing security the Al Bayt Stadium reveals itself
Selfie by me
Selfie by Kev
The Grantham Rams on tour
...take two
Entrance to Hospitality at Gate 10
Taken from the corner at Gate 13
Entrance to England's end is here at Gate 14
The most amazing concourse ever
Heading up to block 538 through Gate 14
The entrance to Block 536-538 and 136-138 through gate 14
England and USA mingling well
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