ABU DHABI (AFP) - Football managers used to screaming themselves hoarse during games are finding little need to reach for a post-match lozenge at the Asian Cup - where their voices echo around sparsely-populated stadia.
This month's tournament in the United Arab Emirates has struggled to attract crowds, with some coaches grumbling about the swathes of empty seats at the continent's showpiece competition.
"I personally think the atmosphere of the Asian Cup could be a little more enthusiastic, more exciting," Iran boss Carlos Queiroz told reporters.
"To be honest not only me but the Chinese, everyone, has been talking about it. (They) expected much better and a more enthusiastic atmosphere all over the country and at all the stadiums."
Hosted under the slogan "Bringing Asia together", the Asian Cup has so far fallen short of persuading enough of the region's fans to turn up and watch games.
Iran look one of the teams to beat, but barely 5,000 watched them thrash tournament first-timers Yemen 5-0 in their opening game at Abu Dhabi's Mohammed bin Zayed stadium - a venue that seats 40,000.
Barely a thousand more showed up to watch holders Australia and four-time champions Japan reach the quarter-finals, while even hosts UAE have played at half-empty grounds.
"We were expecting a bigger turnout," Mohammed Khalfan Al Romaithi, chairman of the UAE General Authority for Sports, told AFP.
"We are surprised by the lack of UAE fans too," he admitted in an interview. "This is a culture that I hope will change. Loyalty must always be there - win or lose."
Teams have complained of poor facilities with one from the Middle East accusing organisers of "cultural insensitivity" for suggesting their players use the hotel pool to recover from games despite many of the deck-chairs being occupied by bikini-clad holiday makers.
Meanwhile, fans have spoken of being asked by Asian Cup officials to leave their allotted areas to fill seats directly opposite the television cameras.
Just a couple of hundred witnessed Qatar's 6-0 demolition of North Korea in Al-Ain as locals snubbed the game and the long-running blockade of the Gulf state by its neighbours meant it was played in an eery silence.
UAE coach Alberto Zaccheroni bizarrely blamed "cold weather" for another disappointing turnout when his side beat Kyrgyzstan 3-2 in extra time to reach the last eight this week.
"Maybe they preferred to stay home and watch it on television," shrugged the Italian, opening another can of worms.
Oman coach Pim Verbeek wanted to watch Asian Cup matches on TV but was puzzled to find they were largely unavailable at hotels, many of which don't show Qatari rights holders beIN Sports.
"It's a pity the games are not on television," shrugged the Dutchman. "I miss that in this tournament."
Bundesliga leaders Borussia Dortmund have insisted Chelsea-target Christian Pulisic will not be allowed to leave in the January transfer window.
Chelsea target Pulisic not for sale in January: Dortmund
Son Heung-min helps South Korea beat China 2-0 at Asian Cup. half but couldn't end Iran's 23-year unbeaten run in Asian Cup group games. Son scores late to earn Spurs 1-0 win over
AFC Asian Cup 2019: Son Heung-min helps South Korea beat
AFC Asian Cup 2019: Qatar reach final after routing UAE 4-0 amid booing of national anthem, shoe-hurling Amid shoes being thrown in insult, Qatar won its politically charged match against host United Arab Emirates 4-0 and advanced to the Asian Cup final
Watch: Qatar thrash UAE amid ugly scenes to reach Asian Cup final
The FA have slammed England supporters who were involved in violent scenes in Porto on Wednesday night as 'an embarrassment to the team'. Three fans were arrested after violent scenes saw England
Violent England fans an embarrassment to the team and not
Could Bruno Mars' Big Night at the Grammys End Up Being a Bad Thing for His Career? song in Hot 100 history could have brought home some potentially historic to avoid pop drama pretty much
Bruno Mars Took Fans To Mars And Back At His Kl Concert
The Manchester City Football School program is packed full of activities to keep the students occupied and entertained during their stay. On a typical day, the children will have breakfast at the residence before taking a private bus to the training grounds of Manchester City Football Club.
Manchester City FC | Official Website, Latest News, Players
Football: Man City end Newport's FA Cup dream to reach quarter-finals. Manchester City's Phil Foden celebrates scoring their third goal. PHOTO: REUTERS. Reach us here. Advertise with us.
Football: Man City end Newport's Cup dream to reach quarter
Sacked Puel says managing Leicester a 'honour' "It was my honour to work for the late and much-loved Khun Vichai, who gave me the fantastic opportunity to manage his club and share some great
Claude Puel pays to tribute to former Leicester City owner
Jan 26, 2019 · Atletico Madrid simply will not let Barcelona run away with La Liga's title. La Liga: Atletico Madrid win again to keep pressure on Barcelona - ProSoccerTalk Atletico Madrid simply will not let
Spanish La Liga | Atletico denied long-awaited win over Barca
The Premier League voiced "significant concerns" over potential reforms to the Champions League, saying the changes would damage the thriving game. Premier League voices fears over proposed UCL
Premier League voices fears over proposed Champions League
A Genius in Full Bloom, Lionel Messi Lifts Barcelona - The
10-man Arsenal slump in Rennes, Sevilla held. Sevilla, who have won the Europa League three times, twice went ahead against Slavia Prague but were pegged back on both occasions in a pulsating
Europa League: 10-man Arsenal slump to heavy loss as Chelsea
Hojbjerg strike gives Southampton 1-0 win at Brighton. Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg scored the goal as Southampton withstood a second-half onslaught from Brighton & Hove Albion to secure a vital 1-0
Football: Hojbjerg strike gives Southampton 1-0 win at Brighton
watch uefa champions league draw live streaming youtube
watch soccer online free streaming live youtube
watch coppa america live streaming vivo
watch soccer live streaming jamaica
watch english premier league live streaming free
watch coppa america live streaming english
watch soccer online free streaming live app
watch champions league live streaming putlockers
watch soccer online free streaming live cricfree
how to watch soccer live streaming free
tv soccer live stream sky
watch coppa america live streaming cricfree
watch tamil nadu premier league live streaming
watch champions league live streaming canada
watch soccer online free streaming live dracula
watch live soccer streaming on iphone
watch coppa america live streaming juventus
watch uefa champions league final live streaming free online
watch coppa america live streaming live free
watch soccer online free streaming live canada
watch premier league live streaming online
watch premier league stream reddit
watch coppa america live streaming manchester united
how to watch champions league live streaming
super soccer tv live streaming indonesia
watch champions league online free live streaming hd
watch the champions league live stream
watch soccer online free streaming live hd
watch sky sports premier league online free streaming live
watch live soccer stream android
watch coppa america live streaming bola
watch uefa champions league draw live streaming
soccer tv live football streaming reddit
watch iceland soccer live stream
watch soccer online free streaming live manchester united
watch coppa america live streaming dailymotion
watch coppa america live streaming kenya
watch soccer online free streaming live uk
watch coppa america live streaming bt sport
watch champions league live streaming juventus
watch barclays premier league online live streaming
watch champions league live streaming bt sport
watch live streaming soccer online espn3
watch soccer game live espn
watch premier league live streaming vk
watch usa soccer live stream
watch coppa america live streaming sub eng
watch soccer games live stream free app
watch soccer live live football streaming cr7
watch champions league live streaming video
watch live stream soccer games online free
watch coppa america live streaming game
watch coppa america live streaming nz
watch soccer game live now
watch coppa america live streaming spain
live tv soccer live stream - live3s.com
watch premier league live streaming free
watch premier league live streaming xbox
watch premier league live in stream
watch soccer online free streaming live india
watch premier league live streaming online - soccer portal
watch soccer live streaming zimbabwe
watch soccer online free streaming live p2p
watch coppa america live streaming vf
watch live soccer game barcelona vs real madrid
watch soccer am live stream
watch champions league live streaming ptv sports
watch premier league live streaming zimbabwe
watch champions league draw live streaming
watch coppa america live streaming gratis
watch premier league games live stream
watch epl live streaming on iphone
watch coppa america live streaming rcti
watch live soccer streaming free android
watch uefa champions league live streaming youtube
watch coppa america live streaming xfinity
watch sky sports premier league live streaming
watch premier league live streaming jamaica
#londoncity #liverpoolfc #calciatoribrutti #mancity #lovefootball #Liverpool #liverpool #ronaldo #chocolate #romania #jadwalbolahariini #juventus #football #Celtic #liverpoolcity #oudmehta #mane #leomessi #salah #kopisusu #england #vip #commentimemorabili #oasisengland #bayervshoffenheim #paulmcartney #chocolatecoffee #coffeebreak #boxing #manchestercity #manchesterunited #petercrouch #manunited #hoffenhiem #footballschedule #crossfit #alissonbecker #JUVENTUS #roadtrip #gooners #visubal #arsenal #nationsleague #fcbarcelona #footballdubai #freekicks #seriea #freekickerz #PartyTime #Suarez #league1 #liverpool #watchlive #acmilan #livestreams #goal #thomasmeunier #tokyo #rugby #ballondor #Liamgallagher #coys #noelgallagher #comics #oasis #champion #meunier #valcea #arsenalnews #sixtimes #footballmemes #sunderlandafc #comico
No comments:
Post a Comment