Province
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Soccer
The Saudi Arabian National Team is one of the powerhouses of the Asian Football Conference. The Saudis have made it to the World Cup three straight times (1994, 1998, and 2002). Presently, at the end of 2004, the Saudis are in the final round of qualifiers for World Cup 2006 |
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Football has gained enormous popularity in Saudi Arabia in the past few decades and is now considered the national sport. Every week thousands of football fans, in cities and towns all over the country, flock to watch their local and national teams compete.
The Saudi Arabian Football team has the best record among all the teams in Asia. In 1404H (1984) they competed in the Olympic Games for the first time. They have made it to the final of the Asian Cup five times, and have won the trophy itself three times. The Saudi team qualified for the finals of the World Cup twice, in 1414H (1994) and 1418H (1998). The Saudi side stunned the world with their performances in the 1414H (1994) World Cup. Although knocked out of the World Cup in 1422H (2002) the Saudis left in high spirits, saying "We will be back, and we will be better." And they will.
In 1426H (June 2005) 75,000 soccer fans at the King Fahd International Stadium watched Saudi Arabia's national soccer team beat Uzbekistan 3-0 to win a place in the World Cup tournament to be held in 1427H (2006) in Germany.
The four main soccer clubs in Riyadh are: Al-Shabab Athletic Team established in 1367H (est 1974), which was the first soccer club founded in the region; Riyadh Athletic Club which was established in 1373H (1953); Al-Nasr Club founded in 1375H (1955); and Hilal Club founded in 1377H (1984) as the result of a split with Shabab.
The King Fahd International Stadium in Riyadh can accommodate 80,000 spectators, has a car park for 26,500 cars and a restaurant which can accommodate 3,000 people. |
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