ABU DHABI // The Slovak community is rallying in support of their team for Wednesday’s Fifa Under 17 World Cup match against the UAE, with both teams playing for survival.
Martin Kramar, a sports psychologist from Slovakia who lives in Dubai, said the fight to the final 16 would be a thriller.
"The UAE are the home team so it will be interesting, and I think it will be quite an even game," said Mr Kramar, one of between 3,000 and 4,000 Slovaks living in the UAE.
For many of his countrymen back home the tournament has been a chance to see more of the UAE and “increases attention on the country”.
“Many people just think of Dubai but this has been a great chance to see other places and see that the facilities are here,” Mr Kramar said.
“It makes the world look to the UAE, which is good for other sports, too. People in Slovakia have been following it so they certainly know more about the UAE from this.”
Sllmovak Chu, 32, works as a researcher at Khalifa University and will be travelling with friends from his home in Dubai to Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium.
“It’s a nice time for national sentiment,” said Mr Chu. “It does bring out our national pride. It’s not as big for us as our national sport, ice hockey, but we are really supporting the team.”
He said events that bring together different national communities were exciting. “It gives us a common cause.”
Tomas Csobonyei, 35, is a strategy management consultant in Dubai. He will also be travelling with friends to the game and is confident his team will win.
“It will be an interesting game,” Mr Csobonyei said. “They will have to do everything they can to make sure they go through.
“It won’t be huge numbers at the stadium but people are coming from all over the country. We have been chatting in the community groups online and people are excited this is here.
“It’s an honour to have the team here. We feel very fortunate.”
Peter Krsik has been in the UAE since 2001.
“I’m a big fan of football and used to play myself,” Mr Krsik said.
A massage therapist, he used to work for a football club but since 2007 has been with Olympian shooter Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum.
“It’s exciting to see and watch the future talent,” Mr Krsik said. “Living here, I don’t have much chance to see them play back home so I don’t know any of these players.
“They’re not yet playing in the first division so it’s good to watch. I hope some of them will one day make it to the national team.”
He said he was looking forward to the game against the UAE, with both teams having been beaten 6-1 by Brazil.
The 6-1 loss was "a big slap in the face for Slovakia, although I didn't expect us to win. The last game is always the real fight for who can qualify".
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