- The Arab News
VIVA – The leader of Saudi Arabia, King Salman, declared a national holiday on the day the Saudi Arabian national team defeated Argentina 2-1 in the World Cup on Wednesday, November 24, 2022. Not only that, but the country also allows citizens free entry to amusement parks.
As quoted from Arab News, Wednesday, November 23, 2022, Saudi Royal Advisor, Turki Al-Sheikh announced that citizens can enter for free to the main theme parks or state-sponsored entertainment centers.
The holiday applies to all employees in the public and private sectors, as well as all students in Saudi Arabia. "The King ordered that tomorrow, Wednesday, be a holiday for all employees in the public and private sectors, as well as male and female students at all levels of education." Turki Al-Sheikh stated.
Manajer Arab Saudi, Herve Renard
- Twitter: Manajer Arab Saudi, Herve Renard
The news of Saudi Arabia's victory in the world of soccer also caught the attention of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS). Prince Mohammed was not seen at the match but was front and center at the opening of the tournament on Sunday, November 20, 2022.
One of Prince Mohammed's brothers, Prince Saud, posted a picture on Instagram showing the crown prince bowing to God in a room where his other brother, Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz, was also present, seen holding the Saudi flag and standing to the side with a beaming smile.
It was also a sweet moment for host Qatar which has faced sharp criticism over human rights in the conservative Muslim country. The Emir of Qatar carried the Saudi flag on his shoulders at the match. Doha's skyscrapers displayed "Congratulations Greens".
A Saudi Arabian television station showed a long line of cars with hooded women standing in the open sunroofs of cars waving Saudi Arabian flags. Celebrating their football team, signaling victory. The gravity of victory would finally sink in. Saudi Arabia is a team that has won only three World Cup matches in its history.
Timnas Arab Saudi merayakan kemenangan atas Argentina di Piala Dunia 2022
- AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko
The Goalkeeper, Mohammed Alowais who made two key late saves to preserve the victory at Lusail Stadium north of Doha, was almost beaten in the end.
"I'm very happy with the result we got against this very famous team," Alowais remarked.
"We have prepared ourselves. We were 100% ready and hopefully we'll get better results in the future. I feel we were very good in the last minutes because we secured our three points." He added.
Not only in the final minutes. Despite trailing 1-0 at half-time, Saleh Alshehri and Salem Aldawsari managed to score a goal each early in the second half. Then came more than 50 minutes, including stoppage time at the end of the match at the referee's discretion, holding off one of the tournament favorites.
