Fans start arriving for opening match

Sports desk: There is tight security around the stadium perimeter as fans continue to arrive.

Some of the security officers are armed with batons. There is joyful mood all around with fans of both teams taking photos with each other.

Of course, not all Ecuador supporters were able to make that long trip to the Middle East from South America.

But in Ecuador, the fans are no less excited about the World Cup’s opening match pitting their team against host nation Qatar.

The Maroons will be counting on the thousands of Qataris in the stands to support them as they lock horns with La Tri.
“We will win. We are playing home. More than 40,000 of our fans will support our team,” Fathi al-Yazidi told Al Jazeera at Al Bayt Stadium.

“Home advantage will be of great help. I think we will win 3- 1.”