Qatar: Riyad Mahrez is complete!
The arrival of Riyad Mahrez in Qatar has generated such excitement that he managed to draw a crowd to the stadium!
League matches in Qatar are almost always played in front of sparsely filled stands. Even the most followed teams like Al Rayyan or the most decorated like Al Sadd struggle to fill their stadiums.
Only cup competitions and finals as well as a few international matches manage to attract crowds when global stars like Cristiano Ronaldo make an appearance.
Despite the presence of Roberto Firmino, the defending champions, Al Sadd cannot fill their Jassem Bin Hamad Stadium as they did last week during the heated clash against Al Duhail, coached by Djamel Belmadi.
Riyad Mahrez first captured attention upon his arrival at the airport and even during his appearance with Al Shamal against the Lusail club, where he wore the captain's armband.
The Suhim Bin Hamad Stadium in West Bay gathered a good number of spectators even though it was not a match against a promoted club this year and without a real fan base, and Al Shamal's home is located fifty kilometers further north.
However, today, Al Shamal will face Qatar SC at the Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium in Duhail in front of a sold-out crowd! There was not a single ticket left of the 10,000 available 24 hours before kick-off!
The Riyad Mahrez effect is clearly present; it remains to be seen if this will have a lasting impact.
Screenshot
DZfoot
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