ABU DHABI (AFP) - Football managers used to screaming themselves hoarse during games are finding little need to reach for a post-match lozenge at the Asian Cup - where their voices echo around sparsely-populated stadia.
This month's tournament in the United Arab Emirates has struggled to attract crowds, with some coaches grumbling about the swathes of empty seats at the continent's showpiece competition.
"I personally think the atmosphere of the Asian Cup could be a little more enthusiastic, more exciting," Iran boss Carlos Queiroz told reporters.
"To be honest not only me but the Chinese, everyone, has been talking about it. (They) expected much better and a more enthusiastic atmosphere all over the country and at all the stadiums."
Hosted under the slogan "Bringing Asia together", the Asian Cup has so far fallen short of persuading enough of the region's fans to turn up and watch games.
Iran look one of the teams to beat, but barely 5,000 watched them thrash tournament first-timers Yemen 5-0 in their opening game at Abu Dhabi's Mohammed bin Zayed stadium - a venue that seats 40,000.
Barely a thousand more showed up to watch holders Australia and four-time champions Japan reach the quarter-finals, while even hosts UAE have played at half-empty grounds.
"We were expecting a bigger turnout," Mohammed Khalfan Al Romaithi, chairman of the UAE General Authority for Sports, told AFP.
"We are surprised by the lack of UAE fans too," he admitted in an interview. "This is a culture that I hope will change. Loyalty must always be there - win or lose."
Teams have complained of poor facilities with one from the Middle East accusing organisers of "cultural insensitivity" for suggesting their players use the hotel pool to recover from games despite many of the deck-chairs being occupied by bikini-clad holiday makers.
Meanwhile, fans have spoken of being asked by Asian Cup officials to leave their allotted areas to fill seats directly opposite the television cameras.
Just a couple of hundred witnessed Qatar's 6-0 demolition of North Korea in Al-Ain as locals snubbed the game and the long-running blockade of the Gulf state by its neighbours meant it was played in an eery silence.
UAE coach Alberto Zaccheroni bizarrely blamed "cold weather" for another disappointing turnout when his side beat Kyrgyzstan 3-2 in extra time to reach the last eight this week.
"Maybe they preferred to stay home and watch it on television," shrugged the Italian, opening another can of worms.
Oman coach Pim Verbeek wanted to watch Asian Cup matches on TV but was puzzled to find they were largely unavailable at hotels, many of which don't show Qatari rights holders beIN Sports.
"It's a pity the games are not on television," shrugged the Dutchman. "I miss that in this tournament."
Mbappe reaches half century as PSG brush Nimes aside. 2 Min Read. Soccer Football - Ligue 1 - Paris St Germain v Nimes Olympique - Parc des Princes, Paris, France - February 23, 2019 Paris St
Nimes News and Scores - ESPN FC
Signs of Manchester United revival in loss to City: Wes Brown
Wayne Rooney scores clever free-kick winner as DC United edge out Columbus Crew to stay top of the MLS Eastern Conference. Wayne Rooney's free-kick earned DC United a 1-0 win at Columbus Crew
MLS RSS feed - Football news, features, statistics
Football: Italy upset Australia at Women's World Cup with Bonansea double; As Canarinhas thump Reggae Girlz. 1 day ago. VALENCIENNES, France (REUTERS, THE GUARDIAN) - Barbara Bonansea scored twice to give Italy a surprise, last-gasp 2-1 victory against Australia in their opening Group C game at the women's football World Cup on Sunday (June
Bonansea fires Italy to last-gasp comeback win over Australia
Manchester City tear apart Liverpool's feeble defence to claim an emphatic victory over the 10-man visitors and move top of the Premier League. approach to the game, there must surely be an
Pep Guardiola wants perfect run-in as Manchester City close
Pep Guardiola paid tribute to his Manchester City players after they won the FA Cup with a scintillating display of attacking football. City scored six goals without reply against Watford in a rampant Wembley performance to crown the most magical of campaigns, which has seen Guardiola's side
Football: Guardiola salutes 'incredible' Man City, Football
16 Aug 2014, Sports News covering Baseball, Basketball, Football, Tennis, Golf, Soccer, Rugby, Boxing and Motorsports from around the world brought to you by 15 Minute News
Сайт за счетоводство, данъци и осигуряване : Форум за
Gwinn gets Germany's vital goal. Germany's midfielder Giulia Gwinn jumps for joy after scoring the winner in their Women's World Cup Group B match against China yesterday.
Giulia Gwinn gets Germany on the board vs. China | 2019 FIFA
Morata double earns Spain scrappy win (1:05) Spain produced a second lacklustre performance in the space of four days in an unimpressive 0-2 win in Malta.
Euro2020: Morata's Brace Lift Spain Above Malta - Red Cheetah
MANCHESTER (REUTERS) - Manchester City took a big step towards retaining the Premier League title with a 2-0 win over Manchester United at Old Trafford on Wednesday (April 24) sending them back to
City inflict more pain on Man Utd to go back top - Nehanda Radio
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola feels the Sky Blues' upcoming opponents Everton are a top side this season and the clash with the Toffees will not be easy. Marco Silva's side are seventh
Pep Guardiola - Manchester City's new signings could be more
watch indian premier league live stream online
watch soccer games live stream free app
watch coppa america live streaming juventus
watch coppa america live streaming hd free
watch premier league net live stream channel
watch soccer online free streaming live youtube
watch uefa champions league final live streaming free online
watch soccer online free streaming live uk
watch champions league live streaming canada
watch uefa champions league draw live streaming free online
watch premier league net live manchester united stream channel
watch champions league live streaming xbox
watch premier league live streaming zee tv
soccer tv live football streaming reddit
watch champions league live stream gratis
watch live streaming soccer world cup
watch coppa america live streaming india vs england
watch coppa america live streaming philippines
watch soccer live streaming qatar
watch coppa america live streaming bola
watch champions league draw live stream total sportek
cpl 2018 live streaming watch caribbean premier league t20 2018
watch bangladesh premier league live streaming
watch champions league live streaming crictime
watch coppa america live streaming mobile
watch coppa america live streaming match
watch champions league live streaming now tv
watch soccer live streaming jamaica
watch coppa america live streaming without cable
watch barclays premier league online live streaming
how to watch champions league live streaming
watch real madrid vs juventus live streaming of champions league
watch tamil nadu premier league live streaming
watch soccer online free streaming live hd
watch soccer online free streaming live batman
watch live streaming soccer games
watch premier league stream reddit
watch coppa america live streaming spain
watch soccer live streaming zee tv
watch soccer games live stream free
watch live premier league football streaming online for free
watch live soccer game today
watch uefa champions league live streaming youtube
watch coppa america live streaming free online
watch soccer live streaming juventus
watch soccer online free streaming live manchester united
watch champions league live streaming zee5
how to watch premier league live streaming
watch coppa america live streaming barcelona
watch champions league live streaming espn
watch coppa america live streaming manchester united
watch premier league live stream hd
watch soccer live stream links
watch coppa america live streaming nz
watch coppa america live streaming mexico
watch coppa america live streaming xbox
watch coppa america live streaming online free
watch premier league live streaming online - soccer portal
watch coppa america live streaming reddit
watch champions league online free live streaming hd
watch champions league live streaming pakistan
watch uefa champions league draw live streaming
watch soccer game live now
watch soccer games online free streaming live
watch us soccer live stream
watch coppa america live streaming live
live ipl live streaming- watch indian premier league 2013 online
watch premier league live streaming youtube
watch coppa america live streaming sctv
watch coppa america live streaming dailymotion
watch coppa america live streaming qatar
watch soccer live stream apk
watch champions league live streaming vk
watch uefa champions league draw live streaming youtube
watch soccer live streaming hd
watch soccer game live espn
#trollfootball #footballstreaming #salah #gym #knuckleball #mancityvsliverpool #lionelmessi #villarealcf #oasisengland #leomessi #boxing #Barcelona #noelgallagher #jadwalbolahariini #rockstar #acmilan #sixtimes #ballondor #uefanationsleague #ucl #kroenkeout #conference #lovefootball #Celtic #commento #watchlive #kickoff #footballmeme #risate #beatifulgame #livesports #fcbarcelona #league2 #liverpoolfc #freekicks #liverpool #livestreaming #battuteepiche #freekickerz #vandijk #goodday #golazo #girlsniteout #footballfans #football #americanfootball #realmadrid #MSport #champion #footballdubai #MyDubai #coffeebreak #premierleague #soccer #calciatoribrutti #pagani #manchesterunited #oasis #comico #coyg #Fcb #arsenal #Sunday #goal #vip #manunited #romania #transfernews #seriea #bayernmunich #ignoranza #liverpool #linkstreaming #bayervshoffenheim #arsenalfantv #oudmehta #firmino
No comments:
Post a Comment