Sunday December 4th later on…
It’s that time. The time when a mix of fear, angst and loathing with a dose of hope totally engulfs me. England are playing a knock out game at the World Cup, and we are here. Again. This time it’s Senegal, who I don’t think England have ever played before, and it feels like we are in for a very long night. Win it and we will be one of eight teams left. Lose, and we will be coming home, in our case on Thursday as we have a few more games to see.
Our game kicks off at 10pm and we need to travel to the Al Bayt Stadium which happens to be the furthest away from our base in Old Town Doha. We’ve learned to trust the public transport on this trip, which is all brand new and highly efficient. When money is no object, and the rulers control what gets built, where and when and by whom (all immigrant workers) it’s hardly surprising that stuff gets done and it looks good too.
Nevertheless, we decided to allow a good three hours to get to the game. The Metro runs out of track and tunnel at the Lusail Stadium, so we needed to switch to a shuttle bus to cover the last leg. The Lusail Stadium is the biggest stadium out here, with a capacity of 80,000 and is where the World Cup Final will be played in two weeks time. It naturally looks amazing from the outside and I am sure it is just as amazing inside. What price we can come back for our one and only game at that magnificent looking stadium?
The atmosphere on the Metro was completely different from the night before when it was jam packed full of Argentinian fans chanting and singing their unique football songs. There were loads and loads of England shirts, but very few actual England fans. The Senegal fans were in far better voice. I think it was the first time I’ve been to an England away game and not been surrounded by hoards of fans extolling a mix of hope and expectation, tinged with some real edginess. I have to admit, I felt more relaxed than I had done in the past.
We had made the decision to try and wear rainbow gear into the games, in solidarity with LGBTQ+ and women’s rights. But we had also agreed to respect Qatari laws and customs, given the difference of opinion and attitude between both cultures. FIFA had made it clear that to wear rainbow themed clothing was permitted. At the last minute, FIFA then decided to crack down hard on National Football Federations over the wearing of ‘One Love’ rainbow armbands by the team captains, with threats of immediate yellow cards.
Kirsty had chosen a rainbow feathered head band and I had a rainbow captain’s armband. We both had discrete ‘Rainbow Three Lions’ T shirts too. We got past the three security checks without any issue but as we took our seats, one of the security guards tapped me on the arm and told me that my armband was not allowed. After some polite discussion, the supervisor was called over and they backed down and allowed me to wear it. That was a relief!
We were surrounded by England fans, but it was clear that for many of them were watching their first England game live. In a trip of coincidences, the two gentlemen sitting next to us were the very same gents who sat next to us at the Argentina vs Australia! Incredible really.
There were two massive banks of Senegal fans off to our left both of whom were on their feet, dancing and singing throughout the whole of the game. They were a complete joy. Most of you would have seen the game, it was close and tense for the first half an hour or so, until Jordan Henderson scored the first goal, shortly to be followed by Harry Kane to make it 2-0 before half time.
I have to admit that I have not always been the biggest fan of Jordan Henderson. But I was wrong. Much like another England midfielder who I didn’t rate, a certain Nicky Butt did in Japan 2002, Jordan Henderson has arrived and is doing a vital job for England. Add in Phil Foden and Jude Bellingham who both looked like world beaters and Senegal were dispatched without all of the stress that was usual in these games.
One of the Senegal fans sitting behind us with his England fan mates was just brilliant. At half time we all chatted about how the game was going and what may happen in the second half. As calm as you like, the said Senegal fan folded up his Senegal flag and put it in his pocket, casually replacing it with a brand new folded England flag. Quite brilliant.
We ended up winning the game 3-0 and the record books and write ups will make it look all too easy. Each time England scored a goal the PA played ‘Freed From Desire’ a song by Gala from the 90’s. This is not only the anthem of choice for England but has also been chosen by Poland and Switzerland to be played when they scored too. The dance classic was given a new lease of life when Northern Ireland brought their re-worked version “Will Grigg’s On Fire” to the 2016 European Championships. It also gets played at the end of the game, should England, Poland or Switzerland win it.
At the end of the game, given the relaxed state we were both in, it did feel like we had at last freed ourselves from the ‘ire’ surrounding England. The players seem to love each other such is the bond between them so all is good in their world, and right now ours too.
On the bus and Metro rides home, I was flicking through Twitter and came across someone called Mike Graham who is some sort of talking head on TV and radio who was getting all political about England’s win. I decided to point a few truths out to him. It didn’t end well for him and he’s since deleted the Tweet that tried to call my support of England into question.
Maybe Mr Graham hasn’t quite freed himself from his own ire. Time will tell, keep an eye on his Twitter feed when England lose and one of our lads misses a penalty. Bless.
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