RIYADH: Liverpool fans never walk alone in Saudi Arabia. And now, neither do those from Newcastle United.
The Official Liverpool Supporters’ Club in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday night hosted the Newcastle United Saudi Supporters’ Club for the first time since last season’s takeover, to watch another Premier League classic between two teams whose matches rarely fail to deliver drama.
In the end there was heartbreak for the NUSSC devotees as Liverpool snatched a late goal to claim a 2-1 win but there was an enthusiastic atmosphere and passionate cheering throughout the game from the fans of both teams at the headquarters of the Reds’ club in Riyadh.
Rakan Al-Saneea, the OLSC president, said he sympathized with Newcastle, considering how much of a struggle it has also been for Liverpool. “It was not the start we wanted from the gaffer and the players especially after (the) great performance in the FA Community Shield. I believe losing the title in the last minutes and losing the UCL final (the) previous season disappointed the team generally but we will move forward.”
Newcastle, in contrast to Liverpool, are in a building phase, but have had a very positive start to the season, putting on a stunning performance in the 3-3 draw with champions Manchester City. Going toe-to-toe with the likes of City and Liverpool is becoming the norm for Newcastle fans, and they are aware that reaching the top will take a while.
The Newcastle supporters’ club in Saudi Arabia has just been established. It is hoped that it could soon become as organized as those for Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester United. Fans believe a club is the best way to grow their support base in the Middle East and around the world.
It was a heartbreaking end to the night for Newcastle fans, but regardless of the result, the gathering of both clubs’ supporters generated a positive atmosphere. This reflected the genuine passion of football fans in Saudi Arabia for the English Premier League, no doubt the number one competition in the world.
What they said at the get-together:
Fawaz Al-Rossies, NUSSC member: “Newcastle’s winning personality has returned after more than a decade of absence. The team now is trying to prove this especially against the big clubs in the Premier League.”
Al-Waleed Al-Debasi, president of the NUSSC: “The NUSSC is a wide, open window between Saudi Arabia and Newcastle upon Tyne, England, linking the two countries together since the beginning of the (COVID-19) crisis.”
Abdurrhman AlQahtani, an NUSSC member: “Three more signings and I believe we can be in the top six.”
Jeza AlNefaie, general supervisor of the OLSC: “Klopp admitting to being wrong and that the fans were right was superb, we need another midfielder.”
Hamad Alqarawi, a founding member: “The OLSC in Saudi Arabia brings together all Liverpool fans in Saudi Arabia to follow every little detail of the club we love.”
