Fifa Arab Cup 2021

The Corinthian

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Anyone going to watch this?

https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/mens/arabcup

Of course, the household names like Salah, Mahrez are not going to play, but an interesting chance to see other / up and coming Arab players and a few old wardogs.

Our very own Mejbri will be turning up for Tunisia (Arab cup involves the north African teams).

The teams are -

Group A:
Qatar (hosts)
Iraq
Bahrain
Oman

Group B:
Tunisia
UAE
Syria
Mauritania

Group C:
Morocco
Saudi Arabia
Jordan
Palestine

Group D:
Algeria
Egypt
Lebanon
Sudan

Match schedule is here and it all kicks off in just over 10 days with Qatar facing off against Bahrain.
 

the_cliff

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The Corinthian said:
Anyone going to watch this?

https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/mens/arabcup

Of course, the household names like Salah, Mahrez are not going to play, but an interesting chance to see other / up and coming Arab players and a few old wardogs.

Our very own Mejbri will be turning up for Tunisia (Arab cup involves the north African teams).

The teams are -

Group A:
Qatar (hosts)
Iraq
Bahrain
Oman

Group B:
Tunisia
UAE
Syria
Mauritania

Group C:
Morocco
Saudi Arabia
Jordan
Palestine

Group D:
Algeria
Egypt
Lebanon
Sudan

Match schedule is here and it all kicks off in just over 10 days with Qatar facing off against Bahrain.
Click to expand...
I would've watched it if the European based players were playing. But the big guns (Algeria, Egypt and Morocco) haven't called up any European based players which makes up a large part of their first team. Am I correct in saying they've called up players from their own leagues ?
 

The Corinthian

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the_cliff said:
I would've watched it if the European based players were playing. But the big guns (Algeria, Egypt and Morocco) haven't called up any European based players which makes up a large part of their first team. Am I correct in saying they've called up players from their own leagues ?
Click to expand...
The majority of the nations have had to because the European based players won't be leaving the clubs at a critical point in the season.
 

The Corinthian

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adexkola said:
Interesting to see Mauritania and Sudan included.

This is a first of it's kind right?
Click to expand...
There's been versions of it before, but this is the first Fifa organised one. And yea, they play pretty loose with the definition of 'Arab'. Somalia and a few other sub-Saharan nations were in the qualifiers as well.

But I'm glad they're loose with the definition as it means the lesser footballing nations get some time in the spotlight which (for me) is a good thing.
 

Kasper

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The Corinthian said:
There's been versions of it before, but this is the first Fifa organised one. And yea, they play pretty loose with the definition of 'Arab'. Somalia and a few other sub-Saharan nations were in the qualifiers as well.

But I'm glad they're loose with the definition as it means the lesser footballing nations get some time in the spotlight which (for me) is a good thing.
Click to expand...
It's not really loose, is it? Eligible were basically the 22 Arab League countries plus South Sudan (whose Arab League application is pending). Obviously one could argue how fitting the Arab league membership is (had no idea the Comoros are part of it) but its kinda a logical point to start with.

As someone who normally hates international football and quickly invented tournaments, I have to admit I kinda like it and would prefer more regional FIFA tournaments instead of having the WC every 2 years or inventing arbitrary FIFA club world cup events. But without the big players its obviously lacking something.
 

Nick7

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Kasper said:
It's not really loose, is it? Eligible were basically the 22 Arab League countries plus South Sudan (whose Arab League application is pending). Obviously one could argue how fitting the Arab league membership is (had no idea the Comoros are part of it) but its kinda a logical point to start with.

As someone who normally hates international football and quickly invented tournaments, I have to admit I kinda like it and would prefer more regional FIFA tournaments instead of having the WC every 2 years or inventing arbitrary FIFA club world cup events. But without the big players its obviously lacking something.
Click to expand...
Comoros is overwhelmingly Arab to be fair. It’s the only Arab country in the Southern Hemisphere.
 

adexkola

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Kasper said:
I would prefer more regional FIFA tournaments instead of having the WC every 2 years or inventing arbitrary FIFA club world cup events. But without the big players its obviously lacking something.
Click to expand...
I agree on your first point.

It may lack the best players, but it'll still matter for many players and fans in that region, which is all that matters.
 

The Corinthian

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The stadiums are actually magnificent.

Edit: Ah - you have to actually watch it on Youtube annoyingly. The channel itself is showing all the games live throughout the tournament.

North African teams have all started well.
 

the_cliff

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The Corinthian said:









The stadiums are actually magnificent.

Edit: Ah - you have to actually watch it on Youtube annoyingly. The channel itself is showing all the games live throughout the tournament.

North African teams have all started well.
Click to expand...
Yeah the North Africans are definitely the favourites. Qatar look decent as well, shame Saudi took their Olympic team as they've been doing really well in the WCQ.
 

The Corinthian

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There were 4 red cards in the 2018 World Cup, across 64 matches.

In the Arab Cup, there's been 9 red cards in 16 matches so far. :lol:
 

Chairman Woodie

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Great match between Algeria and Morocco last night. Youcef Belaili's goal for Algeria was unbelievable.

Looking forward to the Tunisia, Egypt game on Wednesday.
 

JJ12

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Mejbri more Arab Cups than Salah. Ha!
 

Chairman Woodie

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Algeria beating Qatar (1-0). A shocking nine minutes of added time has been added on by the officials. There's no justification for it. Serves to help Qatar.

Now Qatar have equalised (90+6).
 

Kasper

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Chairman Woodie said:
Algeria beating Qatar (1-0). A shocking nine minutes of added time has been added on by the officials. There's no justification for it. Serves to help Qatar.

Now Qatar have equalised (90+6).
Click to expand...
And the equalizer now :lol:
 

RedDevilMachine

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Polish referee decide to make it up to Algeria for giving Qatar 9 minutes of injury time to equalize so he decides to award an additional 9 minutes on top of the 9 minutes and gave Algeria a penalty. Comedy stuff.
 

OmarUnited4ever

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Bizarre ending, the 9mins added time, Qatar's equalizer then drama ensues as referee goes to check, game resumed and goes on to 15 mins added time and Algeria get a penalty!!!
 

NYAS

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Brilliant tournament so far and can’t wait for the final.
 

Based Adnan

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Final is currently on and live on Youtube if anyone's interested


Tunisia started very well and probably should be up. Hannibal looking really good.
 

Chairman Woodie

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I see Youcef Belaili (Algeria) was released by Qatar SC 24 hours after his winning goal against Qatar in the Arab Cup. There could be many reasons for his release. But the timing is strange.
 

Chairman Woodie

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In their desperation to score Tunisia's keeper comes up for the corner. Only for Algeria to clear the corner and score at the other end. Comical. Algeria win two nil.
 

the_cliff

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I'm half Algerian, really happy with that :devil: , feel for Mjebri, he played really well and was tasked with tracking Belaili (our most important player) and he kept him quiet to be fair.
 
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