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

[bluemystery]

So it's us, Auckland City, Al Ittihad, Al Ahly, Urawa Red Diamonds, Leon and the winners of the copa libertodores

 

[RayCTID]

So it's us, Auckland City, Al Ittihad, Al Ahly, Urawa Red Diamonds, Leon and the winners of the copa libertodores

What possibly can go wrong with that line up......

 

[supercity88]

The players are not fucking robots, they dont need this crap at a busy time here in the prem

Cunty bollocks

A bit of warm weather training pre-Christmas and some games in hand built up despite already being top...not a problem!

 

[bluenova]

2 team limit per association negates that. UEFA are against the format as it stands so not worth predicting anything, or even finding a venue whilst it is pie in the sky.

You're right. I hadn't read that note.

Not sure if I'm pleased they'll miss out, or would rather they had to play so it wasn't just out players who missed an entire summer break, while they sit around resting.

 

[Centurions]

The players are not fucking robots, they dont need this crap at a busy time here in the prem

Cunty bollocks

Well you'll be pleased to know that the 2025 expanded version is scheduled for June/July then Kaz :)

 

[bowp]

but check this, maybe they may make exceptions for the game.

Last year the Wall Street Journal reported that Saudi Arabia is planning to allow a beach resort in its megaproject Neom to serve alcohol.

Scheduled to open as soon as this year, the beach resort on Red Sea’s Sindalah island is expected to offer a premium wine bar, a separate cocktail bar, and a bar for “champagne and desserts,” WSJ reported, citing documents dated January.

I live in Riyadh and it does look like alcohol is coming but I can't see it happening this year. So don't expect booze at this tournament. The Red sea resorts are going to have their own laws so it's a bit different.

That being said it is relatively easy to get alcohol if you want it - not just home brew. There is a pub in the British Embassy as well but you need an invite.

It will also be very easy to fly in and out from the UAE / Bahrain or Qatar all of which openly serve alcohol.

 

[bluesince76]

But only one more from England no? Chelsea and City have qualified already - maximum of two teams per country, increased if more than one CL winner from a country. Is that right? So who misses out? I guess it would be United who miss out?

In that case, I'm supporting Newcastle in the CL next season. H'way the lads

 

[Ashton Moss Messi]

How much is a beer in Saudi?

an arm and a leg
or maybe just the hand

 

[Ashton Moss Messi]

I live in Riyadh and it does look like alcohol is coming but I can't see it happening this year. So don't expect booze at this tournament. The Red sea resorts are going to have their own laws so it's a bit different.

That being said it is relatively easy to get alcohol if you want it - not just home brew. There is a pub in the British Embassy as well but you need an invite.

It will also be very easy to fly in and out from the UAE / Bahrain or Qatar all of which openly serve alcohol.

When I worked in saudi, we got taxi from Riyadh to Bahrain - not one strictly on the meter but genuine taxi at agreed rate. Better and cheaper if there's 2 or 3 of you. Riyadh airport flying to Bahrain can be a faff

 

[bowp]

When I worked in saudi, we got taxi from Riyadh to Bahrain - not one strictly on the meter but genuine taxi at agreed rate. Better and cheaper if there's 2 or 3 of you. Riyadh airport flying to Bahrain can be a faff

Yeah have done the drive quite a few times. Normally I wouldn't dream of flying to Bahrain (unless it's a connecting flight- I just did it to and from Istanbul) but not sure how long it would take to cross the causeway on a tourist visa ha.