Journalist Mohammed Ali Al Muhannadi stressed that the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 will be exceptional and historic, especially since it will be held at the World Cup stadiums for the first time in the tournament's history.
In his remarks to Qatar News Agency (QNA), Al Muhannadi, who covered the AFC Asian Cup in 1988, said that he expects a very special atmosphere in the first major tournament that the State of Qatar holds after the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, especially with the large number of fans expected to support the participating teams, especially the Saudi team.
He added that the fans would enjoy the various tourist destinations in Qatar and the World Cup stadiums, which are easy to travel between in the shortest period of time and via fast means of transportation.
Al Muhannadi underscored that team Qatar is capable of competing, especially since it is the defending champion and is playing in its homeland and among its fans. He pointed out, on the other hand, that the players will be under pressure because of that, but they can deal with this situation.
He stressed the importance of the role of the Qatari public in supporting the national team and supporting the players on the field, affirming that the competition will not be easy in light of the presence of strong teams striving to regain the continental title, led by the teams of Japan, South Korea, and Saudi Arabia.
Mohammed Ali Al Muhannadi recalled the memories of the AFC Asian Cup1988, which was organized by the State of Qatar, noting that he was part of a media delegation in the previous edition in Singapore in 1984, and the tournament was an opportunity for the Qatari delegation to gain experience before hosting the next edition.
He said that they were eager and working with great passion and enthusiasm, before and during the tournament, and their goal was to serve Qatar and achieve a tournament that befits the State of Qatar in its first organization, especially since this edition was the first real test for the Qatari media in television broadcasting, radio, and the various local newspapers
He added that they did not expect a large attendance at the time, saying that they witnessed the stands filled with foreign fans for the first time, in addition to the influx of Arab fans. Even the Japanese fans would come after the end of the tournament to visit Al Ahli SC stadium, which hosted the matches, and they considered it a shrine for them.
Al Muhannadi pointed out the AFC Asian Cup 2011in Qatar and said there was a great development in organization and hosting, and the difference was huge at the media level, television, and press broadcasting, in addition to the media center, which was distinguished and provided everything about the tournament, and therefore he expects the next edition to be more developed at all levels.
