First off – the title. Not my words, the words of Swiss newspaper L’Express on February 11th, 1976. I imagine this is as outdated in Swiss French as they are in English.
“An Orient Tour” – Neuchâtel Xamax in Bahrain & Saudi Arabia
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Category Archives: football
When Vasas Were the Best Team in the World
In 1968, Hungary’s communist poster boys thought playing Argentina’s world champions in their rabidly anti-communist backyard was a good idea. It was.
Vanished Teams of Budapest #1 – Krolupper SC
Zen and the Art of Northern League Football (Billingham Town vs. Consett)
Bahrain’s Muharraq head to the AFC Cup Final
Mikel John Obi Heads to Bahrain for AFC Cup Showdown
The former Boro (and Chelsea and Nigeria) star captains Kuwait City against Muharraq on Wednesday.
4 Countries, 3 Stadiums, 2 Matches, 1 Night. (0 Fans)
New Zealand played their first international for nearly two years last night. Two years! Can you imagine? I forget how to do my job if I’m off work for a fortnight.
Continue readingGroundhopping in Bahrain #5 – Al Najma Stadium (Bahrain/Saudi Women’s Tournament)
Last year, as part of its ongoing reforms, Saudi Arabia launched its women’s football league, something that wasn’t only a surprise to a westerner like myself, but to many locals. It’s been clear for a while that change was coming to the KSA, but the sheer pace of it has taken many folks by surprise. I left a teaching job in Saudi just five years ago in 2016, but just five years later the country is unrecognisable in some respects, with women now able to drive, travel freely and – pertinent to today’s blog – play sports competitively.
Continue readingGroundhopping in Bahrain #4 – Muharraq Stadium (Muharraq vs. Al Ahed – AFC Cup)
With my first forays into Bahraini football finding nought but low attendances, single-stand grounds and a distinct lack of visible fan culture, I was looking forward to visiting Muharraq, Bahrain’s footballing powerhouse and by far their most supported club.
Continue readingGroundhopping in Bahrain #3 – Riffa Sports Club (Al Khaldiya vs. Isa Town)
Alexander Hleb is not here. The ex-Arsenal Belorussian has apparently signed for the home team but after a social media unveiling of sorts a few months back, it’s been radio silence. I’m getting the impression that he was just “signed” to come over for a meet and greet, but it’s hard to tell from the posts on Al Khaldiya’s Instagram. Either way, I’m getting Asprilla at Darlington vibes from this one.
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