ABU DHABI // The Fifa Fan Zone on the Corniche drew scores of families on Friday night.
At the Public and Family Beach, it gives visitors the chance to watch Fifa Under 17 World Cup matches if they cannot get to stadiums to see them in person.
“This is very good,” said Emirati Yasser Zaid, who had just watched Croatia’s match against Morocco at the venue.
The father of three said he was excited to have the chance to see some of the world’s finest young players in action in Abu Dhabi and would be rooting for the UAE, Ghana and Brazil.
For friends Ahmad Al Mosuti, 18, and Mustafa Khaled, 16, the visit was about more than just watching their favourite game.
The teenagers – from Syria and Egypt respectively – joined others in front of an interactive screen the size of a goal.
Participants could aim the ball at several different spots along the goal with the screen displaying the strength of their shot the moment the ball hit the screen.
“It is nice,” said Ahmad, a few seconds after the screen flashed 31.9 miles per hour (51.4kph) for his effort.
Also joining in the fun was Sowrica Sai, from India, who was there with her husband and two children, Aahladani, 8, and Aprameya, 5.
“We have been enjoying ourselves since 6pm,” she said. “We played all the games.”
For Samar and Matthias Templin, it was the Fussball – a kind of table football – that was the main draw.
“How much does it look like?” they asked, smiling – their response to a question about how much they were enjoying themselves at the venue.
Iman El Tabie, from Egypt, was hoping the event could entertain her children and give her family – husband, Mahmoud, and children Yara, 3, and Yousif, 8 – the chance to enter a prize draw.
The Fan Zone will be open from 4pm to 11pm from Saturday to Wednesday, and 4pm to midnight on Thursday and Friday, until the tournament closes on November 8. Those who want to be at the matches can obtain free tickets to any of them, three days before each kick-off.
The UAE is competing in Group A of the championship, alongside Honduras and Slovakia and three-time champions Brazil.
The host country is playing Brazil on Sunday at the Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium in the capital.
This is one of the world’s biggest international tournaments, with 52 matches being played by the 24 national teams.
The competition is taking place at six UAE venues – Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi, Emirates Stadium in Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah Stadium, Sharjah Stadium, Rashid Stadium in Dubai and Khalifa bin Zayed Stadium in Al Ain.
The tickets are also available at Hallmark stores across the UAE and online at www.fifa.com/u17worldcup.
vtodorova@thenational.ae
