Gulf Cup

[RonnieRoots]

The annual Gulf Cup football tournament is hosted by Oman this year. Football craziness is at its top at the moment, and the Omani people are full of unrealistic expectations of their heroes. The first match against Kuwait ended in 0-0. Oman-Iraq is the next game, scheduled for tomorrow. We are trying to get tickets, but apparently everything is sold out. MIght go to a bar and have a look then.

[DRT]

Do the Americans have a team in the competion?

[RonnieRoots]

Do the Americans have a team in the competion?

I doubt that they could count on much sympathy.

[RonnieRoots]

So Oman beat Iraq 4-0 and the country went crazy. I've never seen so many men in dresses dance before.

Oman is now as good as sure of a place in the semi-final, so the national party can continue a little while longer.

[jdaw1]

Given how bad things have been for Iraq for years (well, decades), I admit to rather hoping that it would have some celebration-worthy success.

But that is nothing against Oman or its ‟dress”-wearing men merely wanting Iraq to have some unifying success.

[KillerB]

So Oman beat Iraq 4-0 and the country went crazy. I've never seen so many men in dresses dance before.

You've been going to the wrong clubs then.

[RonnieRoots]

Iraq is the current Asia champion, so they had their fair share of cheering.

Oman is definitely going insane now. Another victory: Oman - Bahrein 2-0. Oman is in the semi-final now. I don't think they ever reached a result like this.

KillerB: come on over and show me the way.

[KillerB]

KillerB: come on over and show me the way.

The clubs I was talking about are back in Amsterdam

[RonnieRoots]

KillerB: come on over and show me the way.

The clubs I was talking about are back in Amsterdam

You know perfectly well that I'm a decent Utrechtian and have no idea what you are talking about.

[RonnieRoots]

Well, the line-up of the semi-finals is now clear. On Wednesday will be played:

- Oman vs. Qatar
- Saudi Arabia vs. Kuwait

The local press is already speculating on a Saudi - Oman final. But let's see what happens on Wednesday first. I know I'll be watching in a local coffeeshop. Along with a large Omani crowd, mint tea and double apple sheesha.

[RonnieRoots]

I wonder if the semis will go through tonight. It's raining cats and dogs here. Just outside of our house the water is knee deep. Perhaps they can change it into a swimming contest!

[DRT]

It's raining cats and dogs here.

Do the cats have heads?

[RonnieRoots]

Of course, otherwise they wouldn't float.

Well, the game was played anyway. And Oman won 1-0. It was a rather boring, defensive game, but that didn't stop people celebrating. We just came back from bringing friends to the airport. I've never seen such craziness on the highway. People were dancing on the road, and everybody seemed to want to be just there where we were.... Quite a struggle to get back home...

The final is on the 17th.

[RonnieRoots]

Oman won, and is now officially the Gulf Champion 2009. Penalties were needed after a 0-0 match. Nobody made a mistake in the first series of five, but the 6th penalty was missed by the Saudis. Oman finished it off cold blooded.

We walked the 5km between the pub and our home, because we knew beforehand that going by car would be silly. It was a very funny walk home. The road was a complete mess all the way. I never knew so many people would fit into (and onto) one car.

[Glenn E.]

I never knew so many people would fit into (and onto) one car.

What, no pictures???

[RonnieRoots]

Sorry Glenn, didn't make any pictures. Yesterday was announced to be a national holiday, as a celebration of winning the cup. A good excuse for people to go onto the roads again and block every possible road. Today things are back to normal. More or less.