Al-Ittihad Saudi fans’ tifo stole the show in the stands of Al-Jawhara Stadium in Jeddah during the match against Qatar’s Al-Gharafa in the AFC Elite Champions League on Tuesday evening.
Al-Ittihad fans set the stands ablaze with the "Beast Tifo" on a historic night against Al-Gharafa
Video clips widely shared on social media platforms showed two sections of the stadium filled with a tifo depicting a “tiger with prominent claws” opposite another section with the phrase “Unleash the Beast” written on it, with the audience coordinating perfectly to move the tifo.
Al-Ittihad fans’ tifo against Al-Gharafa: Tiger claws and Unleash the Beast
One video from the stands was captioned: “An Ittihad masterpiece being painted at Al-Jawhara against Al-Gharafa, a tifo titled: Unleash the Beast.”
Youssef En-Nesyri scores his first goal for Al-Ittihad
In the match, Hossam Awad scored three goals and provided a decisive assist to lead Al-Ittihad to a resounding (7-0) victory over their Qatari guests, securing the home team’s advancement to the knockout stages of the AFC Elite Champions League on Tuesday evening.
Al-Ittihad raised their points tally to 12, placing them fifth in the West Group, while the visiting team’s points remained frozen at six, placing them tenth.
Newcomer Youssef En-Nesyri gave Al-Ittihad an early lead in the 3rd minute with a direct shot, and Awad added the second goal in the 20th minute, before Al-Ittihad raised their level and scored five goals after halftime.
Roger Fernandes made it (3-0) immediately after the start of the second half, and Danilo scored the fourth goal with a header following a cross from Awad, who then scored the fifth goal in the 58th minute.
Fernandes scored his second and his team’s sixth goal after about an hour of play, before Awad concluded Al-Ittihad’s goal festival with a low shot in the 79th minute.
Al-Jawhara Stadium
Al-Jawhara Stadium, also known as the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium, is a major football stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, inaugurated in 2014. It was built as part of a larger sports city complex and serves as the home ground for the Saudi national football team and clubs Al-Ittihad and Al-Ahli. The stadium’s design incorporates Islamic architectural elements and it has hosted major events like the Italian Super Cup and matches during the 2023 FIFA Club World Cup.
Jeddah
Jeddah is a major port city on Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea coast, historically serving as the gateway for Muslim pilgrims traveling to Mecca. Its historic district, Al-Balad, features centuries-old coral stone houses and merchant mansions, reflecting its long-standing role as a vital trading hub. The city’s history is deeply intertwined with the Islamic pilgrimage and Indian Ocean trade routes.
Qatar
Qatar is a sovereign country located on the northeastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula, historically shaped by its Bedouin heritage and maritime traditions like pearl diving. It transformed dramatically in the mid-20th century following the discovery of vast oil and natural gas reserves, which propelled it into a modern, influential global state. Notable cultural sites include the Museum of Islamic Art in Doha, which houses one of the world’s most comprehensive collections of Islamic artifacts spanning 1,400 years.
AFC Elite Champions League
The AFC Elite Champions League is the premier annual club football competition in Asia, organized by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC). It was established in 2002, succeeding the Asian Club Championship which began in 1967, to crown the continent’s best football club.
Al-Ittihad
Al-Ittihad is a historic football club based in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, founded in 1927. It is one of the most successful and popular clubs in the country and Asia, with a rich history of winning numerous domestic and continental titles, including multiple AFC Champions League trophies.
Al-Gharafa
Al-Gharafa is a district in Doha, Qatar, primarily known today for its modern residential and commercial developments. Historically, the area’s name is derived from the Arabic word for “cave,” which references traditional underground water storage systems used in the region’s past.
