Doha, September 13 (QNA) - Passionate football fans from 29 countries attended the Lusail Super Cup as part of a special visit organized by the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC).
Thirty-five members of the Qatar Fan Leader Network enjoyed the match between Al Hilal and Zamalek at Lusail Stadium, which was preceded by a stunning concert from Egyptian superstar Amr Diab.
The three-day trip, organized by the SCs Fan Engagement team, gave fans a glimpse of what to expect when Qatar host this years FIFA World Cup from 20 November to 18 December. During their stay, fans attended a Hayya Card workshop and visited Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium and the 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum.
The Qatar Fan Leader Network aims to share key information about this years World Cup with supporters from across the globe. After the match, qatar2022.qa caught up with two fan leaders to hear their thoughts on the experience.
Leon Van Der Wilk (age: 51) said: "Lusail Stadium is a beautiful stadium. The design is impeccable. I love it even more during the night, when the gold facade lights up." About his thoughts on his experience in Qatar, he said: "This was my first time in Qatar. The country is filled with kind and generous people. Despite the hot afternoons, the evenings were nice, and we were able to visit multiple landmarks." Asked about the standout moment for him during hist visit, he stressed: "I loved the entire trip and cant pick one special moment but I have to say, the match day was my favorite. The concert before the match created a lively atmosphere and I am so excited to feel the same buzz in the upcoming World Cup. I also enjoyed visiting the desert and seeing the camels. It was an enriching experience." On his thoughts about how will fans react to Lusail Stadium when it hosts this years FIFA World Cup final, he noted: "I am sure fans will react positively to the stadium. Not only because of the ambiance, but also because of the state-of-the-art cooling technology." On his favorite moment during the Lusail Super Cup, he said: "My favorite moment was when the players came on the field. Everybody was enthusiastic, creating an electric atmosphere. I will never forget this trip or this stadium!" For his part, Rashidi Iddim (Age: 40) said: "Lusail Stadium is his favorite stadium. Ive never seen anything like it before." He underlined that his experience in Qatar was amazing. "I dont think a host nation has ever done this before inviting fan leaders to the host country. So, when I received the email to come to Qatar, I was ecstatic," he added.
Asked about the standout moment for him during the visit, Iddim said: "My standout moments were when we visited the 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum, and when we went to the desert. Both showed us different aspects of the country in terms of preparing to host the tournament later this year." On his thoughts on how will the fans react to Lusail Stadium when it hosts this years FIFA World Cup final, he said that fans will be so excited when they enter Lusail Stadium to watch the final. The stunning venue is the largest of the eight stadiums and is inspired by Islamic elements.
Asked about his favorite moment during the Lusail Super Cup, he said: "My favorite moment was when we, the fan leaders, entered the stadium and saw the stands filled with cheering crowds. We all sang, cheered, danced and enjoyed the game." (QNA)