FIFA World Cup 2022, Group G
Stadium 974
Doha Port, Qatar
2 Dec 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 3 tickets for this game during the 2nd FIFA ballot on 5 Apr 23. The cost was 250 QAR (approximately £53). This was my second game watching Serbia and was the only game I could fit in which was being played at the 974 Stadium. Serbia had qualified as the group winners of European Qualification Group A and Switzerland had qualified as winners of Group C. The Serbs sent the Portuguese into the play offs and the Swiss did the same to the Italians, as a result only the Portuguese came through the play offs with the might Azzurri crashing out at the hands of the North Macedonians. After the break up of Yugoslavia, Serbia and Switzerland have met each on only one occasion, which was in the last world Cup in Russia at Kaliningrad on 22 Jun 2018. The Swiss won that bad tempered encounter 2:1
Perhaps the most unusual of all of the venues. It is located on the waterfront and is constructed from shipping containers and modular steel elements, a nod to the port's industrial history. It is 10km east of central Doha, close to the Corniche and can be reached via Metro stop Ras Bu Abboud (Gold line) which is 800m away
Attendance: 41,378
Both teams showed intent from the start and had each enjoyed the feeling of going ahead by the 35th minute. Switzerland took control with a goal either side of half-time. which left Serbia visibly frustrated and approaching boiling point on multiple occassions. Switzerland were resolute when required, managing to maintain their lead despite Christian Fassnacht wasting a late chance.
The Grantham Rams waking up to a glorious day in the Persian Gulf, time for a beer
Cheers from the MSC Poesia
Later in the evening we head to StrEAT Culture for a few beers and a bite to EAT
StrEAT Culture is a good bar which was recommended by Ben the expat from Doha who was a great resource on the ESTC for fans travelling to Doha. It is located within the DoubleTree by Hilton in the Al Sadd region of Doha and was home to the Ghanian National Team for the World Cup
Home kit - motivational poster
Black Stars of Africa
Meet up with the Bahrain Lads (Kev, Shane, Harry and Sara)
The live game was Ghana v Uruguay, but sadly for the Black stars of Africa they were beaten 2:0 and will be booking out of the hotel tomorrow morning. It's tough at the top💀
After leaving the pub we head to Kev's big apartment in central Doha and receive some illegal legal booze from a Qatari Expat who was sorting us out for the weekend and the England v Senegal game
After getting dropped off by the alcohol Samaritan we head to the 974 stadium for what is our 7th of 8 stadiums
First glimpse of the 'Shipping Container Stadium'
Serbian fans sing song
There is a shipping container painted in the World Cup livery in every corner of the complex
Drumsticks and unicycles
Jus luv this stadium - so unique
It is amazing to think that work to pull down the stadium started after the last game it hosted; the Round of 16 game between Brazil and South Korea, which Brazil won 4:1
One of the stunning features are the many colours of the shipping containers giving an impression of random and transient order
Gate 22, note all the levels marked L1, L2, L3, etc...
Stadium plan
30 minutes to KO
More Shipping Container Lego
Our Gate - Gate 29
An industrial entrance
Bud Zero time
More concourse shots
A bit of history, the Swiss and the Serbs have bad blood because Switzerland became a refuge for many families from Kosovo and Albania. The families of the Swiss players Granit Xhaka and Xherdan Shaqiri were amongst the 370,000 people who fled Kosovo and Albania when the Yugoslav Army invaded Kosovo to stop the KLA. When the teams played in Kaliningrad, both players scored and celebrated by making the Albanian eagle sign. After the game the Serbian FA made an official complaint and the two were fined. After the formation of Kosovo in 2008, Serbia was one of the countries which does not recognise Kosovo as an independent country
All stand for the national anthem of Serbia
Serbian fans in block 103-108
The atmosphere builds as the flags are about to be unrolled
Steve and Sue Heskovich in the red, white and blue of Serbia
A great game as both teams go for it from the off
The Swiss have just scored to make it 3:2
Serbian fans below in blocks 101 and 148-144
As tension rises there are a few scuffles below
On 65 mins and just before Shaqiri (scorer of the first goal) is substituted there is a bit of a melee in the technical area as the Serbs accuse the Swiss of time wasting
Ultimately the Swiss are victorious and for the second consecutive World Cup they eliminate the Serbs in the Group Stage. The Swiss will now face the Portuguese in the Rd of 16
Another great day in the Port of Doha
Our last view of the 974 Stadium and also farewell to Serbia.
The stadium will be dismantled after the game between Brazil and South Korea on 5 Dec. Much of the infrastructure including 20,000 seats are believed to have been purchased by Uruguay to support their efforts in bidding for the FIFA WC 2030, in a joint bid with Argentina
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