RIYADH, 20 January 2008 — Manchester United were scheduled to arrive here this morning to play an exhibition match against Al-Hilal as part of Saudi legend Sami Al-Jaber’s testimonial. The visit is regarded as the first in its kind to the Kingdom for an elite English team.
Hmoud Algubaini, spokesman of the Mobily, the main sponsor of the event said that the team would spend five days in Riyadh for a training camp and an exhibition match.
Algubaini said the sponsors expect a full attendance from spectators.
“Two major teams are playing tomorrow: Saudi soccer leaders Al-Hilal and European champions Manchester United. Moreover, it’s a testimonial match for a beloved striker, Sami Al-Jaber.”
Al-Jaber, who enjoyed a brief spell in English football with Wolverhampton Wanderers during the 2000-01 season, collected a staggering 158 caps for Saudi Arabia during his international career and the game against United.
King Fahd International Stadium in Riyadh, which accommodates more than 75,000 spectators, will host the match tomorrow night. “This is a great chance for the players to escape the harsh realities of winter for a few days, while keeping up their fitness levels and taking in the exhibition match,” United manager Sir Alex Ferguson was quoted as saying.
The team will spend five days in Riyadh for a training camp and an exhibition match where they will be guests of Prince Abdullah bin Mosaad, honorary member of Al-Hilal club.
The organizing committee kicked off the sale of tickets yesterday after reducing their prices for premium seating from SR120 to SR60.
The stadium where the match will be played has been under maintenance work for a month, which caused league matches to be shifted to the capital’s other small stadiums.
The Red Devils will be staying at the Faysaliah Hotel in Riyadh and will hold two press conferences: one as they arrive in Riyadh and another after the match.
The gates will open at 4 p.m. and celebrations will precede the match kick off which will include a laser show and fireworks. After that the team will take a tour of Riyadh landmarks.
