The Friendly

On the 30 of May, Oman was playing a friendly match against Egypt. I am just writing about it now, because I did not want to forget what took place.

I had just returned from the states a few days earlier and found out about the match by reading the newspaper. That's usually how you have to find out about events that happen here in Muscat because there is not a lot of advertising. Or at least not a lot in English. And usually you find out after an event has taken place.

In May, the temperature is heating up and is regularly between 100-120 degrees. Today it was about 110 and I'd hoped it would cool down for the game by the 7:30 start. That didn't happen. The outdoor stadium is all cement and plastic seats. The floor retains the heat and probably doesn't cool down until right before sunrise.

The match was competitive and the group that went enjoyed the action. Even the band that played at halftime. But the best part of the match had to be the moment after Egypt scored and began celebrating. Two players had jumped up together and one head butted the other. He was ok, but probably needed some stitches. It was so funny that it even made Belgian TV in a blooper broadcast. Check it out for yourself and let me know what you think. How not to celebrate a goal.

The Sultan Qaboos Sports complex is less than 5 minutes from my house and if I see the lights on from my house, I usually go over to check out what's happening. It never cooled down that night and when I checked the temp afterwards, it was 115! Not sure how that's possible, but that's what the weather channel said. One of those memories that I will not forget from living abroad.