Doha, Qatar: Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani inaugurated the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023, which got underway with a magnificent opening ceremony under the slogan “Come on Asia”, followed by Qatar’s dominant 3-0 victory over Lebanon in the inaugural match at Lusail Stadium last evening.
The iconic venue that staged the memorable FIFA World Cup 2022 final once again took the centre stage as around 82,490 spectators turned out to watch another show of brilliance by the hosts, experiencing a unique opening ceremony supplemented by dazzling fireworks.
The hosts, defending their crown they won in the United Arab Emirates four years ago, added colours for home fans clinching a comfortable victory, thanks to a brace by playmaker Akram Afif (45 and 90+6 minutes) and striker Almoez Ali, who struck in 56th minute – to score his 10th goal in the Asian Cup.
Personal Representative of H H the Amir, H H Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani; H H Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa Al Thani; H H Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Thani; and H E Sheikh Jassim bin Khalifa Al Thani also attended the opening day’s proceedings.
Speaker of the Shura Council H E Hassan bin Abdullah Al Ghanim, Sheikhs, ministers and ambassadors were the other dignitaries present.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino and Asian Football Confederation President Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa along with other top officials were also present.
Fans particularly team Qatar supporters, who started flocking to the stadium hours before the opening ceremony, enjoyed every bid on the first day of 30-day tournament.
The opening ceremony left spectators spellbound, seamlessly blending the authentic heritage of the East with a distinct Qatari essence and the contemporary flair of the West. Drawing inspiration from the mythical tales of “Kalila and Dimna,” the ceremony not only enthralled the audience with captivating artistic and visual displays but also conveyed unwavering support for the Palestinian cause.
It started with a mesmerizing musical performance titled “The Missing Chapter of Kalila and Dimna.”
Lebanese singer Abeer Nehme set the stage with a soul-stirring song, heralding the transformation of the stadium into a colossal theatre featuring iconic animal characters from the renowned book, accompanied by an exhilarating lightshow and fireworks.
Enriched by the participation of accomplished artists such as Nasser Al Kubaisi, Mishal Al Dosari, Dana Al Meer from Qatar, and Hammoud Al Khader from Kuwait, the ceremony unfolded as a musical odyssey traversing the stories of the 4th century from the Asian continent, presented in five captivating story chapters.
A poignant moment underscored the opening ceremony as Qatar captain Hassan Al Haydos relinquished the traditional duty of delivering the championship oath to the captain of Team Palestine, Musab Al Battat. Al Haydos, emphasising the customary role of the host nation’s captain, expressed it as an honour and graciously passed the torch to Al Battat, creating a powerful sports scene in solidarity with the Palestinian cause. Dressed in the iconic Palestinian Keffiyeh, Al Battat took the championship oath, accompanied by Qatari singer Dana Al Meer’s heartfelt rendition of Fayrouz’s “Zahrat Al Mada’in” in a women’s segment adorned in traditional Palestinian attire. The ceremony culminated with a display of fireworks.
Featuring a total of 24 teams, the Asian Cup will see a total of 51 matches to be played at nine stadiums in Qatar, concluding with the final at Lusail Stadium on February 10. It is a record third time that Qatar is hosting the prestigious tournament.
