Sports / Tidbits
Qatar final switched to smaller venue
(Reuters)
Updated: 2006-12-15 15:12
DOHA, Dec 14 - A decision by Asian Games organisers to switch venues for
the men's soccer final on Friday will deprive up to 13,000 fans the
chance to see hosts Qatar tackle Iraq.
Thousands of Qataris took to the streets to celebrate their heroes' feat
in beating Iran to reach the final, yet organisers have moved the gold
medal match from a 25,000-seater stadium to one that holds less than half
that number.
Al-Gharrafa's 25,000-seater main stadium, 10km northwest of Doha, is one
of the newest and largest in Qatar but was dropped two days before
kick-off.
Instead organisers will stage the gold medal match at the 12,000 capacity
Al-Sadd venue.
"The (Al-Sadd) stadium is one of the most beautiful in Doha and it will
make for a good atmosphere for the spectators," Games spokesman Ahmed
Abdulla Al Khulaifi told reporters.
Qatar beat Iran in the semi-finals at the smaller Al-Sadd stadium.
"It's a lucky ground for Qatar," Al Khulaifi said, adding that the switch
had been made also because of location.
The Al-Sadd stadium is near the centre of town.
Organisers said the reduced capacity would not be a problem and that
tickets were still on sale.
"If you go on the Internet you can buy them. Still there are tickets on
the market, and there is high demand," Al Khulaifi said.
"Spectators can go and buy them from the booths or on the Internet."
The Games Web site shows tickets for Friday's gold medal match "currently
unavailable".
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