All roads lead to Zayed stadium

Abu Dhabi: Football fever reached its peak in the UAE yesterday as almost all roads from the six other emirates of the UAE led to Abu Dhabi.

The Dubai-Abu Dhabi and the Al Ain-Abu Dhabi highways in particular were heavy with flag-adorned vehicles as Emiratis and expatriates alike headed to the 60,000 Zayed Sports City Stadium situated just outside downtown Abu Dhabi.

"We were here early morning and the gates were opened at 10am. By then there were a few hundreds already waiting," said the security official posted at the media entrance.

By noon, over 10,000 fans were already inside the stadium while an equal number were outside, finding their way in.
Omani fans

Within a few hours, and much before the 5.20pm kick-off, the stadium was jam-packed.

With over 40 buses carrying Omani fans and many others also coming in through the Hatta and Buraimi border entrance from neighbouring Oman, a section of the stadium was set alight by the passionate visiting band of fans.

Vendors displayed scarfs, caps, balloons and posters which were lapped up by the UAE fans in anticipation of another match-winning display by their stars.

Posters carrying the UAE team, and particularly those of star striker Esmail Mattar, were hottest moving.

Abrar Al Mahmoud, a student of Zayed University and one of a group of UAE national girls helping as volunteers was excited. "This is a new experience for us, but with the UAE team in the final it is more sweet," she said.

"In fact, this is the first time that so many Emirati women have been supporting the team and I can't wait for the kick off," she said, sporting a UAE flag.

"Back in Oman we are all very happy with Oman making it to the final. This time we will drive back celebrating all the way," said Aboud Al Bloushi, who is a big fan of Ahmad Mubarak, the Omani midfielder.

"I used to watch him play when he appeared in the AFC Champions League for Al Ain," said Al Bloushi, who had driven down a day in advance with his friends.