If you want packed crowds, come to Al Ain. That was the message from those who attended Saturday’s opening fixtures in Group F, which officials said attracted more than 11,000 last week.
Last night, only 3,716 turned up, and it was no surprise.
This was a match between two teams clearly low on confidence, and, seemingly, skill. Both suffered lopsided defeats, with Iraq losing 4-1 to Sweden while defending champions Mexico, humiliatingly, fell 6-1 to Nigeria. A 5pm kick off on a working day did not help the atmosphere either.
This group had been identified as a potential “group of death”. For Mexico and Iraq, at least, it was.
Iraq’s fans, so often an inspiration for all age-group teams, were initially subdued. As ever, there were pockets of defiance.
“Football unites Iraqis, it’s where we can leave our differences outside the stadium,” said Ali Al Ahmadi, who had come from Abu Dhabi to watch with his brother and two children. “I believe we can still qualify.”
Few fans are as invested in their nation’s future like the Iraqis, and it will take all the optimism they can muster after a 3-1 loss on Tuesday night.
In fairness, despite a soporific opening 15 minutes, the supporters managed to raise themselves from the late-afternoon slumbers, trading chants of “Iraq, Iraq” and “Meh-hi-co”.
On the pitch, however, nothing continued to happen. It was easy to see why Nigeria and Sweden had such an easy ride in the previous matches.
Iraq’s initial caution was hard to fathom. Mexico may be the holders of the U17 World Cup, but that has little significance in the context of this match. Clearly this Mexico team was no match to the Class of 2011.
Despite some periods of sustained possession, they struggled to penetrate the massed Iraqi defence. What little threat they offered came through their tricky left winger Luis Hernandez. When the first goal arrived on the half hour, however, it was from Mexico’s right, when Francisco Calderon crossed to Alejandro Diaz, who scored with a diving header.
The Mexican fans, many in green tops and several wearing colourful sombreros, celebrated in relief. Ten minutes later, they really could let their hair down.
A long throw, a flick by Diaz, confusion in the Iraqi defence and a volley by Jose Al Manza made it 2-0. Iraq coach Muwafaq Zaidan would later bemoan “individual errors”.
The Mexican fans serenaded their team’s possession with shouts of “Ole, ole”. Iraq’s scattered fans suffered in silence. At half time, prayers from the nearby mosques echoed around Khalifa bin Zayed Stadium, and Iraqi fans would have been tempted to look to the skies for some divine intervention.
Yet they improved, dramatically, after the break, thanks to forwards Sherko Kareem and Bashar Reslan. The recovery initially had an air of desperation – of far too little, far too late – about it.
Those who entertained such thoughts had failed to grasp Iraq’s unique capacity to deliver when the odds are stacked against them the most. Kareem led the charge.
First, he breathed life into Iraq’s tournament with a long-range equaliser on the hour. After that he was everywhere. One minute, winning tackles in his own half, the next, firing shots at the other end.
In Kareem, Iraq had found a hero. For a brief spell, the fans believed again, but Ulises Rivas broke Iraqi hearts with a fine finish from inside the box. Game over.
At the final whistle, the Iraqis sank to their knees. A tournament that promised much was crumbling around them.
A few Iraqis continued to sing, defiant to the end. But deep down they knew that, despite the mathematical hope, their interest in this tournament is coming to an end.
It’s time to look to the future. Again.
akhaled@thenational.ae
