Italians a hit with Bahrain women fans
By AIDAN PAYNE
EXCITEMENT is increasing with a day to go for Bahrain's friendly clash against Italian Serie A giants Inter Milan at the National Stadium.
"It's a great honour for Bahrain to be hosting a high profile team like Inter Milan," said head of the Bahrain women's football committee at the Bahrain Football Association Shaikha Hussa Al Khalifa.
The 21-year-old Investment Consultant, who graduated from Bentley College last May, feels that watching Inter Milan will be a good learning experience for her team.
"Seeing Inter play should give our players new ideas on how to develop their technical skills and tactics ahead of the second Arab Women's Football Tournament next month in Abu Dhabi," added Shaikha Hussa.
Presence
"Just the presence of the team should be an inspiration to the girls and I know that everyone is excited about the match.
"With ex-Chelsea player Hernan Crespo here, this friendly is extra special for me," said Shaikha Hussa who also follows Chelsea in the English Premiership.
Shaikha Lulwa Al Khalifa, a national team member for about a year, is also excited at seeing Inter Milan though Juventus is her favourite team.
"I watch the Serie A regularly on television and was a bit disappointed when Sweden's Zlatan Ibrahimovic and France's Patrick Vieira left Juventus to Inter following the bribery scandal last summer," said Shaikha Lulwa who has played football since she was a young girl.
Responding to the the Juventus scandal, the University of Bahrain student, who is studying graphic designing, blamed the Juventus officials and not the players for being demoted to Serie B.
"The problem in Italian football is that there are a lot of influences behind the scenes and people abusing their powers," she added.
Shaikha Lulwa also feels that Inter are lucky to be leading in the league as some of the top teams have been demoted while others have started with penalty points.
"I'm sure if Juventus had not been demoted they would be sitting at the top of the table ahead of Inter," continued Shaikha Lulwa who also enjoys English football and followed Chelsea when Gianluca Vialli and Gianfranco Zola played for them. She now prefers Arsenal.
"It's great that teams like Inter Milan have come to Bahrain and I would like to see Real Madrid and Barcelona in the near future," said 16-year-old Tariq Nabeel, an 11th grade student at Al Naseem International School.
Tariq likes all three Italian heavyweights - Inter Milan, AC Milan and Juventus.
"I love football in general and enjoy seeing all the top teams," said Tariq. Tariq also feels that Inter are a bit lucky to be leading in Serie A this season. "I hope Juventus will bounce back. They have started well in Serie B and I hope to see them in Serie A soon," said Tariq.
By AIDAN PAYNE
EXCITEMENT is increasing with a day to go for Bahrain's friendly clash against Italian Serie A giants Inter Milan at the National Stadium.
"It's a great honour for Bahrain to be hosting a high profile team like Inter Milan," said head of the Bahrain women's football committee at the Bahrain Football Association Shaikha Hussa Al Khalifa.
The 21-year-old Investment Consultant, who graduated from Bentley College last May, feels that watching Inter Milan will be a good learning experience for her team.
"Seeing Inter play should give our players new ideas on how to develop their technical skills and tactics ahead of the second Arab Women's Football Tournament next month in Abu Dhabi," added Shaikha Hussa.
Presence
"Just the presence of the team should be an inspiration to the girls and I know that everyone is excited about the match.
"With ex-Chelsea player Hernan Crespo here, this friendly is extra special for me," said Shaikha Hussa who also follows Chelsea in the English Premiership.
Shaikha Lulwa Al Khalifa, a national team member for about a year, is also excited at seeing Inter Milan though Juventus is her favourite team.
"I watch the Serie A regularly on television and was a bit disappointed when Sweden's Zlatan Ibrahimovic and France's Patrick Vieira left Juventus to Inter following the bribery scandal last summer," said Shaikha Lulwa who has played football since she was a young girl.
Responding to the the Juventus scandal, the University of Bahrain student, who is studying graphic designing, blamed the Juventus officials and not the players for being demoted to Serie B.
"The problem in Italian football is that there are a lot of influences behind the scenes and people abusing their powers," she added.
Shaikha Lulwa also feels that Inter are lucky to be leading in the league as some of the top teams have been demoted while others have started with penalty points.
"I'm sure if Juventus had not been demoted they would be sitting at the top of the table ahead of Inter," continued Shaikha Lulwa who also enjoys English football and followed Chelsea when Gianluca Vialli and Gianfranco Zola played for them. She now prefers Arsenal.
"It's great that teams like Inter Milan have come to Bahrain and I would like to see Real Madrid and Barcelona in the near future," said 16-year-old Tariq Nabeel, an 11th grade student at Al Naseem International School.
Tariq likes all three Italian heavyweights - Inter Milan, AC Milan and Juventus.
"I love football in general and enjoy seeing all the top teams," said Tariq. Tariq also feels that Inter are a bit lucky to be leading in Serie A this season. "I hope Juventus will bounce back. They have started well in Serie B and I hope to see them in Serie A soon," said Tariq.
