His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani officially opened the 24th Arabian Gulf Cup yesterday at a packed Khalifa International Stadium.
The magnificent opening ceremony saw hundreds of performers take center stage for almost 45 minutes ahead of the start of the inaugural fixture.
Also part of the opening was a visual display of heritage paintings, in addition to a documentary film on the history of the Gulf Cup since it began in 1970.
The flags of the eight participating teams were then brought into the center of the pitch, accompanied by a breathtaking show of fireworks that enthralled as many as 37,890 fans at the stadium.
This is the fourth time Qatar is hosting for the prestigious tournament, which was declared open by His Highness the Amir before Qatar and Iraq locked horns in the opening match.
While announcing the opening of the tournament, HH the Amir welcomed, in the name of every Qatari, everyone to "everyone's Doha."
باسم كل قطري نرحب بالجميع في دوحة الجميع #خليجي24 pic.twitter.com/APJEHqvpkI
— تميم بن حمد (@TamimBinHamad) November 26, 2019
His Highness the Father Amir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, His Highness the Personal Representative of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani, His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa Al Thani, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Khalifa Al Thani and HE Sheikh Jassim bin Khalifa Al Thani were also present on the occasion.
سمو أمير البلاد المفدى يشهد المباراة الافتتاحية لبطولة كأس الخليج العربي لكرة القدم في نسختها الرابعة والعشرين، باستاد خليفة الدولي مساء اليوم، بين منتخبنا الوطني لكرة القدم وشقيقه المنتخب العراقي والتي انتهت بفوز المنتخب العراقي بنتيجة 2-1.#قنا pic.twitter.com/tSWN3kuMbh
— وكالة الأنباء القطرية (@QatarNewsAgency) November 26, 2019
Some top officials from the region including Marzouq bin Ali Al Ghanim, Speaker of the National Assembly of Kuwait, Their Excellencies Sheikhs, ministers, heads of the diplomatic missions accredited to the State and heads of the Gulf Olympic committees and federations also attended the opening ceremony.
His Highness the Amir and other dignitaries attended the opening match between Qatar and Iraq, which Iraq won 2-1.
? | Photos from the opening #GulfCup2019 game between #Qatar ?? and #Iraq ??#Khaliji24 pic.twitter.com/2L9px8EXpB
— Qatar Football Association ?? (@QFA_EN) November 26, 2019
Two-time champions Oman will begin their campaign against Bahrain today at the Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium in Al Duhail at 5.30 pm.
The second fixture of the day will see Kuwait and Saudi Arabia battle it out on the field at Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium at 8.00 pm.
The Kuwaiti team holds the record in winning the title with 10 titles while the Saudi team remains a three-time winner.
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