Triumphant opening for Kuwait All-Stars – Great atmosphere, great stadium, says Beckham

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KUWAIT CITY, Dec 18: Kuwait All-Stars lifted the Champions Challenge Cup Friday night at the grand opening of the Jaber International Stadium, beating the International All-Stars team 4-2. David Beckham drew first blood for the International All-Stars in the 16th minute and two minutes later in the 18th, Kuwait’s Al-Hajri equalized. Al-Ansari’s strike in the 28th minute put Kuwait ahead, 2-1.

Then Al-Anezi scored to increase the tally for Kuwait to 3-1. The International All-Stars pulled one back, 3-2 in the 60th minute, then Yousef Nasser scored in the 76th minute to make the scores 4-2 for Kuwait.

“I really enjoyed the game, great atmosphere, great stadium. It is my first time of coming here to Kuwait and I think all the players enjoyed playing here”, said David Beckham, Captain of the International All-Stars side. Asked what his memorable moment was, Beckham said playing for Manchester United and winning the treble was a memorable moment in itself.

Asked how he sees the draws for the European championships, he said England finds itself in a tough group with Wales but England shall survive. The historic event was preceded by an opening ceremony gathering Kuwait and the region’s leading singers and performers as well as a fireworks and laser show.

Played before a capacity crowd of about 30, 000 people with the Amir present, the Kuwaiti squad included Khaled Al-Rashidi, Musaed Neda, Fahad Al-Hijri, Ali Maqseed, Hussain Hakim, Fahad Al-Anzi, Mohammad Jaragh, Fahad Al- Ansari, Abdulaziz Al Mashan. The international All-Stars side consisted of Mohamed Aboutrika, Jamie Carragher, Jens Lehmann, Ronaldinho, Carles Puyol, Míchel Salgado, Alessandro Del Piero, Gianluca Zambrotta, Luís Figo, Alessandro Nesta, Andriy Shevchenko, Deco, David James and David Beckham.

Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium, a 60,000 seat capacity, is a multi-purpose stadium in the Ardhiyah area of Kuwait City, Kuwait. Completed in 2009, it is used mostly for football matches and athletics.

The stadium has a capacity of 60,000 seated spectators, the building is constructed in 4 levels, with 54 corporate boxes, 6000 car parkings. It was expected to open in second quarter of 2010, but the building failed structural-integrity testing and remains closed. Jaber Al-Ahmad will be the new home of the Kuwait national football team.[1] Stadium was named after late Amir of Kuwait Shaikh Jaber Al Ahmad Al Sabah. Kuwait celebrated their winning of Gulf Cup 20 in that stadium.

This is the second time in Kuwaiti history to host a huge number of spectators; the first was during the final match of the Asian Clubs Championship between Kuwait’s Al-Qadisiya and Al-Itihad of Syria in 2010.

By Iddris Seidu

Arab Times Staff

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