Al Nasr players’ desire helped them overcome punishing temperature as supporters turn out in numbers

During drinks breaks in the middle of each half, players poured water over themselves to cool down as 17,230 supporters showed up at Al Ain for President's Cup final, writes Maryam Al Shamsi.

Renan Garcia soaks himself in water during a water break during the President's Cup final between Al Ahli and Al Nasr at Hazza bin Zayed Stadium on June 3, 2015 in Al Ain, UAE. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images)Show less

AL AIN // The bowl-shaped Hazza bin Zayed Stadium resembled a hot oven on Wednesday night with temperatures hovering around 45°C. The players taking part in the President's Cup final had to deal with energy-sapping conditions as they slugged it out for 120 minutes for the coveted title.

There were two drinks breaks in the middle of each half, where the players poured water over themselves to cool down, but conditions did have an impact on the game, with the pace slower than the average UAE game.

Brett Holman, Al Nasr’s Australian midfielder, said he had no problem with the weather.

“It is better than yesterday,” he said, referring to the fact it hit 50.5°C in Al Ain on Tuesday. “Look, it is the same for both teams.”

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Holman said that the Nasr players’ desire to succeed helped them overcome the punishing temperature.

“I think it showed through not only in the President’s Cup, but in how hard we fight for each other,” he said.

“We played extra time three times,” referring to the President’s Cup semi-final and the loss on penalties to Al Shabab in the GCC Clubs Cup semi-final last week, “but the whole season, all these players, we fought for each other and we never gave up.”

Despite the humid weather, the turnout was encouraging, with 17,230 supporters at the ground.

The fans milling around the ground were not impressed with the final being played in June.

Hamed Al Marzouqi, 26, rushed to the refreshment stand to get more water. “The timing of the game is not right, it is too hot,” he said. “I mean, it is bearable, but again it is just not the appropriate time to play.”

Ahlam Al Blooshi, 24, an Ahli fan, thought the conditions affected her team. “My team are sweating and dying on the pitch, the least I can do is be present to support my team. What is making us as fans stop when the least we can do is support them?

“When I first came I had to drink lots of water because of the heat. However, I don’t care how hot it is as long as I am enjoying my time.”

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