A large number of Nepalis got this opportunity to watch the matches of the Asian Cup, live at the stadium.[break] Probably for the first time, the largest number of Nepalis watched the highest level of football tournament of the Asian continent. More than 1000 Nepalis watched the final of the Asian Cup football tournament that concluded on Saturday at Qatar´s Khalifa Stadium, Doha, during which Asian powerhouse Japan defeated Australia 1-0 in the added time following a goalless stalemate.
Of the total official attendance of 37,134, Nepalis residing in Qatar either as worker or as entrepreneurs occupied more than 1,000 seats.
Most of the Nepali audiences were seen in small groups holding the Nepali flag. Among the groups, a six-member group was led by Laxman Khatiwada, 31, of Laxmipur, Jhapa. The group consisting of two Nepali women waved the national flag and tied the logo of Japanese flag around their forehead.
Kshitiz Sen, 25, and Bandana Paudel, 26, were the female members of the group.
Sen who is currently working in Qatar Airways in Doha had an image of Japan´s flag tattooed on her check. “I am very glad that I got the opportunity to watch three matches,” said Sen.
“I am very much happy to see my team (Japan) win the title,” said Khatiwada after the match.
“I had supported Japan from the very beginning,” Khatiwada added. And the joy of victory was visible in the faces of every member of the group. It seemed as if they had won a tough battle.
Khatiwada, who works as a sales executive at the Al Maya International that supplied the official drink Pocari Sweat during the tournament, claims to have watched 26 matches of the Asian Cup.
Khatiwada said he has given more than 150 passes his Nepali friends.
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