Football feast from Thursday

DUBAI – Six prestigious club sides from across Asia and Europe will contest the inaugural Matchworld Cup 2011, which will kick off here this Thursday afternoon.

By (Alex Leach)

Published: Wed 19 Jan 2011, 12:02 AM

Last updated: Mon 6 Apr 2015, 7:12 PM

The UEFA Cup winners in 2008 and 2009, Russia’s Zenit St Petersburg and Shakthar Donetsk, of the Ukraine, shall spearhead the European challenge, with Iran’s Piroozi and Al Hilal, of Saudia Arabia, providing stern Asian opposition.

Czech outfit Sparta Prague and Slovakia’s MSK Zilina complete the four-team contingent from Europe, and the sextet overall, in a competition that is designed primarily to aid the players’ build-ups for important contests during their current winter breaks.

“We have been asked by the top clubs from Europe to organise one big, high-level tournament for their preparations for the Champions League and Europa League,” Matchworld’s managing director, Marc Boilley, said.

“Shakthar Donetsk will face AS Roma, who are now playing in their league (Serie A), whereas Shakthar have a two-month break during the winter. So, they not only need a friendly match, but a high-level tournament to prepare for this big competition.”

All of the action will take place between January 20-26 at the home ground of Al Shabab, the Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum Stadium, which was an easy selection for a venue given the UAE’s growing reputation for top-quality showpieces.

“The UAE is synonymous with world-class sports tournaments, playing host to major events in every sporting category,” Boilley added.

“The recent FIFA Club World Cup held in Abu Dhabi was just another example of the country’s sporting prowess.

“It was, therefore, a natural choice for us to host this exciting new event in this vibrant, inviting atmosphere.

“The first-ever Matchworld Cup will feature world-class players in action and is certain to attract football enthusiasts and residents from across the GCC.”

Rashid Al Kamali, the Dubai Sports Council’s director of marketing and promotions, echoed those sentiments, adding: “Dubai has become a unique hub for many international teams who are playing all around the world.

“We’re very proud that we can host these clubs and provide the facilities required in Dubai because their standard is very high and we have to respect that.

“We work towards these standards and, so far, we’ve been very successful in this area.

“This event, alongside with the Dubai Shopping Festival, will bring many international tourists and we hope they enjoy their time in Dubai by going to some of these matches and have a wonderful week of sports entertainment.”

This Saturday’s two fixtures are all-European affairs due to a clash with the Asian Cup quarter-finals in Qatar, while UAE-based clubs were unavailable to compete due to their involvement in the Etisalat Cup.

Group A: Shakthar Donetsk, MSK Zilina and Al Hilal.

Group B: Zenit St Petersburg, Sparta Prague, Piroozi.

Fixtures Thursday: Shakthar Donetsk vs Al Hilal (Kick-off: 5pm), Sparta Prague vs Piroozi(Kick-off: 7:30pm).

Saturday: MSK Zilina vs Shakthar Donetsk (Kick-off: 5pm), Zenit St Petersburg vs Sparta Prague (Kick-off: 7:30pm).

Monday (January 24): Al Hilal vs MSK Zilina (Kick-off: 5pm), Piroozi vs Zenit St Petersburg (Kick-off: 7pm). Wednesday (January 26): Fifth and sixth place play-off (Kick-off: 2:30pm), Third and fourth place play-off (Kick-off: 5pm). Final (Kick-off: 7:30pm).

Matchday tickets, priced AED 100 for Grand Stand seats or AED 50 for the second category alternative, are on sale now at: www.timeouttickets.com, TimeOut Box Office and all Virgin Megastores in the emirate. There is also free entry for any child under 10.

alex@khaleejtimes.com