Urawa Red Diamonds (N) | CWC Semi-Final | Pre-Match Thread

[Corky]

Cheers. So nearly a full week out there I was hoping to do as little time out there as possible

That is the standard pattern, we know when the final is and the rest is just very likely.

 

[give & go]

Not happy of these kick off times and midweek
No trains home
Lest have a stoning and whip round In Piccadilly gardens as a protest

 

[edinburgh123]

Remember if anybody thinks 'I will make a holiday of it and take the family' that. 1) you can't be gay, thats a given. 2) If you are straight and you take your wife OR ANY KIDS THAT ARE FEMALE over the age of 10!! then do not expect them to go in the pool with you as it is banned. Some of the more 'modern thinking' hotels give these 'second class citizens' an hour in the pool on their own.
Never mind the lack of alcohol - just look forward to an utterly shite experience from a genuinely backward country
I would have loved to go for a week before xmas and I could have even lived with no alcohol (a pre-xmas detox, I would soon catch up) but taking the missus who can't even go in the pool, and is expected to cover up head to toe if she leaves the hotel - that'll be a great week away...

 

[John Wayne]

Remember if anybody thinks 'I will make a holiday of it and take the family' that. 1) you can't be gay, thats a given. 2) If you are straight and you take your wife OR ANY KIDS THAT ARE FEMALE over the age of 10!! then do not expect them to go in the pool with you as it is banned. Some of the more 'modern thinking' hotels give these 'second class citizens' an hour in the pool on their own.
Never mind the lack of alcohol - just look forward to an utterly shite experience from a genuinely backward country
I would have loved to go for a week before xmas and I could have even lived with no alcohol (a pre-xmas detox, I would soon catch up) but taking the missus who can't even go in the pool, and is expected to cover up head to toe if she leaves the hotel - that'll be a great week away...

Why not base yourself somewhere else for the week and literally just fly in and out for the matches? Sharm El Sheikh is about an hour away. A week's all-inclusive with a couple of cheap flights would not work out at too much more than a week in Saudi itself.

 

[edinburgh123]

Why not base yourself somewhere else for the week and literally just fly in and out for the matches? Sharm El Sheikh is about an hour away. A week's all-inclusive with a couple of cheap flights would not work out at too much more than a week in Saudi itself.

There are actually no direct flights - would have to be Cairo and the flight times would mean at least one night in Jeddah - which for two games means you are spending 50% of the week away travelling. You are no longer on holiday you are on an organised expedition

 

[John Wayne]

There are actually no direct flights - would have to be Cairo and the flight times would mean at least one night in Jeddah - which for two games means you are spending 50% of the week away travelling. You are no longer on holiday you are on an organised expedition

Fair enough, I put the idea out there without actually looking at flight availability.

My plan is probably Amman and fly in for the games. I know for certain that there are plenty of direct flights from Amman and can minimise my time in KSA. I suppose that there is a bit of organised expedition about my intended itinerary but it feels like a one-off (another one!).

 

[Stephen230]

I’ll probably end up giving it a miss anyway. But out of interest, is the no alcohol thing as strict as people are making out?

I only ask because the same things were said about Qatar and everyone who went found it no problem getting pissed every day. I also know a girl who was back and forth to Dubai for a couple of years and she had no problem getting a drink whenever she was there.

I’m well aware neither of those places is Saudi but just wondered if anyone with actual experience of being there can confirm what the situation is in practice?

 

[supercity88]

Remember if anybody thinks 'I will make a holiday of it and take the family' that. 1) you can't be gay, thats a given. 2) If you are straight and you take your wife OR ANY KIDS THAT ARE FEMALE over the age of 10!! then do not expect them to go in the pool with you as it is banned. Some of the more 'modern thinking' hotels give these 'second class citizens' an hour in the pool on their own.
Never mind the lack of alcohol - just look forward to an utterly shite experience from a genuinely backward country
I would have loved to go for a week before xmas and I could have even lived with no alcohol (a pre-xmas detox, I would soon catch up) but taking the missus who can't even go in the pool, and is expected to cover up head to toe if she leaves the hotel - that'll be a great week away...

I wouldn't mind a hybrid approach to the women in pools thing. There have been plenty of times I've been at the pool and wished my wife wasn't with me as I scanned the talent. Wouldn't be any point her not being there if other women weren't either.

 

[supercity88]

I’ll probably end up giving it a miss anyway. But out of interest, is the no alcohol thing as strict as people are making out?

I only ask because the same things were said about Qatar and everyone who went found it no problem getting pissed every day. I also know a girl who was back and forth to Dubai for a couple of years and she had no problem getting a drink whenever she was there.

I’m well aware neither of those places is Saudi but just wondered if anyone with actual experience of being there can confirm what the situation is in practice?

Much stricter than Qatar. The strictest place in the middle east. They've only recently been progressive enough to allow tourists not to where typical clothing, but women still have to cover legs and shoulders etc. You will not get alcohol.

The red sea resort and other tourist projects they're developing at the moment will likely see a relaxation. I'd imagine the new airport they've built will have a certain visa applicable to those areas where the rules are relaxed and more western.

But it's a strange place to pick for this tournament because of how restrictive it is. It will not get much attention though because we're the only English representative and no one will care how tricky it is to attend.

 

[cptaidan88]

Got my return flights for £355 with a stop in each direction. Not sure you can do it for a much cheaper. Should get home for dinner on Christmas Eve hopefully to avoid being in the dog house.

Anyone have any recommendations for Jeddah? Best (but reasonably priced area) to stay?

 

[Stephen230]

Much stricter than Qatar. The strictest place in the middle east. They've only recently been progressive enough to allow tourists not to where typical clothing, but women still have to cover legs and shoulders etc. You will not get alcohol.

The red sea resort and other tourist projects they're developing at the moment will likely see a relaxation. I'd imagine the new airport they've built will have a certain visa applicable to those areas where the rules are relaxed and more western.

But it's a strange place to pick for this tournament because of how restrictive it is. It will not get much attention though because we're the only English representative and no one will care how tricky it is to attend.

Thanks. Don’t sound like a whole heap of fun, being stuck somewhere that I assume is still going to be pretty hot by our standards, without a drink to cool down. The chances of me making the effort have just decreased some what.

 

[standupifyouhatemanu]

I’ve done 2 work trips there, 2 weeks in Riyadh, 2 weeks in Jeddah, no alcohol whatsoever even in a 5 star hotel, (this was in 2013). Also in the malls separate entrances for males and females. I went to a museum in shorts and got turned away and it was 42 degrees.
Horrendous place and I’d never consider going anywhere near this disgusting country again. (But I do hope the Saudi guy buys the rags)

 

[tedmak]

Just booked my flights. Visiting friends in Dubai and Doha then flying over to Doha.
Bring it on.

 

[Blue Coop]

Jeddah is a lot more relaxed than Riyadh and my wife leaves the house everyday in normal clothes here (and in work). You can definitely make a family trip of it (beach, great food, nice golf course) but I would be astonished if any exception is made for alcohol. Bigger events than this have come and gone without any alcohol put in place (even if they make segregated fan zones).

Like some others have mentioned, Jeddah is an easy spot to fly into the rest of the Middle East, so combining the trip with any of Qatar, Dubai, Oman etc. would be great.

In terms of getting a visa, it used to be difficult but that has become very easy. It’s an online application that gets approved within 5-10 minutes now. My family have visited over from the UK often and the tourist visa has never been a problem.

 

[tedmak]

Jeddah is a lot more relaxed than Riyadh and my wife leaves the house everyday in normal clothes here (and in work). You can definitely make a family trip of it (beach, great food, nice golf course) but I would be astonished if any exception is made for alcohol. Bigger events than this have come and gone without any alcohol put in place (even if they make segregated fan zones).

Like some others have mentioned, Jeddah is an easy spot to fly into the rest of the Middle East, so combining the trip with any of Qatar, Dubai, Oman etc. would be great.

In terms of getting a visa, it used to be difficult but that has become very easy. It’s an online application that gets approved within 5-10 minutes now. My family have visited over from the UK often and the tourist visa has never been a problem.

Am assuming (always a risk) that having a match ticket will be used as a visa. Happens with FIFA events such as Russia and Qatar world cups.
The event is to highlight the place to the world.
That or I have made a mistake - which I doubt.

 

[Stephen230]

Jeddah is a lot more relaxed than Riyadh and my wife leaves the house everyday in normal clothes here (and in work). You can definitely make a family trip of it (beach, great food, nice golf course) but I would be astonished if any exception is made for alcohol. Bigger events than this have come and gone without any alcohol put in place (even if they make segregated fan zones).

Like some others have mentioned, Jeddah is an easy spot to fly into the rest of the Middle East, so combining the trip with any of Qatar, Dubai, Oman etc. would be great.

In terms of getting a visa, it used to be difficult but that has become very easy. It’s an online application that gets approved within 5-10 minutes now. My family have visited over from the UK often and the tourist visa has never been a problem.

I’m not saying alcohol is the absolute be all of everything. But a fanzone with no beer? Sounds a right laugh.

 

[tedmak]

I’m not saying alcohol is the absolute be all of everything. But a fanzone with no beer? Sounds a right laugh.

A few days without a drink. It isn’t the end of the world. A small price to pay to watch us become World Champions.

Also - there are plenty of people who live in our fair islands who don’t drink a drop and it doesn’t do them any harm.

 

[Mcfc1.9.8.0]

I’ve done 2 work trips there, 2 weeks in Riyadh, 2 weeks in Jeddah, no alcohol whatsoever even in a 5 star hotel, (this was in 2013). Also in the malls separate entrances for males and females. I went to a museum in shorts and got turned away and it was 42 degrees.
Horrendous place and I’d never consider going anywhere near this disgusting country again. (But I do hope the Saudi guy buys the rags)

Can you wear shorts on the street

 

[Stephen230]

A few days without a drink. It isn’t the end of the world. A small price to pay to watch us become World Champions.

Also - there are plenty of people who live in our fair islands who don’t drink a drop and it doesn’t do them any harm.

Yes mate, thanks and I’m well aware of both those things.

Personally I don’t pay a fortune to go on holiday or a foreign away game, so it won’t do me any harm. I go to enjoy myself and have a good drink while I’m there.

 

[Blue Coop]

Can you wear shorts on the street

You can yes. Also separate entrances for males and females are a thing of the past. The only place I really see that now are that they still have separate gyms. Unless somebody has been to KSA in the last year or two their perception of the country will be significantly different than the reality because of the pace of change that is happening.