(Qatar World Cup) Reporter's Notes: Set off towards the "Hercules Cup" in my heart
China News Service, Doha, November 16th (Reporter Xing Chong) It was already the early morning of the 16th local time when it landed in Doha.
Overlooking from the plane, Qatar is brightly lit at midnight, reflecting the increasingly charming coast of the Persian Gulf.
In the next month or so, this "bright pearl on the Arabian Peninsula" will be even more dazzling because of football.
From the moment you board the plane, you can feel the passion of the World Cup.
"Football is Passion" (football is passion), passengers will find the eye-catching slogan on the pillow as soon as they take their seats.
During the flight time of about nine and a half hours, the big screen on the plane played the promotional video of the World Cup almost continuously.
Before people arrive, the atmosphere is full.
When the plane is about to land, it overlooks the Persian Gulf. Photo by China News Agency reporter Tomita
Qatar's Hamad International Airport is one of the busiest airports in the world. Due to the arrival of the World Cup, it has become a "city that never sleeps".
The huge posters seem to "pour down", and even the small space at the armrest of the luggage cart is painted with the emblem of this cup.
There are still four days before the start of the game, and many players and fans have arrived.
It is predicted that during the World Cup, more than 1 million fans will flock to Qatar to watch the game, while the population of Qatar is less than 3 million.
Huge poster of the World Cup at Hamad Airport, photo by China News Agency reporter Xing Chong
The four-year World Cup is the top feast in the football world, and everyone has a Hercules Cup in their hearts.
Shaped like two strong men holding up the earth, the Hercules Cup represents the most meaningful achievement of the players in their football career, and symbolizes the unity and glory of mankind.
For fans all over the world, whether they are at the scene or waiting before the live broadcast, they will cheer and be moved by football passion.
A colleague who has participated in the reporting of the men’s World Cup for six times said that media reporters also have a “Hercules Cup” in their hearts. Traveling long distances and traveling to the front line to bring fans all-round and multi-perspective reports is also meaningful in their careers. pursuit.
The only regret may be that the Chinese men's football team failed to qualify for the finals. In this cup, Chinese reporters lacked their own "home team".
However, the Chinese elements of the World Cup in Qatar are almost everywhere, ranging from event souvenirs to the final venue of the Lusail Stadium.
Souvenir shops at the airport display all kinds of soccer balls Photo by China News Agency reporter Tomita
In the luggage waiting area, there is a World Cup souvenir shop, displaying all kinds of footballs and jerseys of 32 teams. Even after midnight, it still attracts many people's attention.
In fact, not only most of Qatar World Cup peripheral products are "made in China", but nearly 70% or even all of the entire market share comes from Yiwu, China.
The World Cup is inseparable from China's strength and China's contribution.
Infantino, president of FIFA, said in an interview a few days ago that China is an important part of the development of world football, and he looks forward to the Chinese team qualifying for the next World Cup.
After picking up the luggage, the reporter met a young girl named Xiao Lu, from Zhejiang, China, who was doing ground handling service in the arrival hall of Hamad Airport.
Seeing that the reporter was also from China, she took the initiative to ask if she needed help.
Xiao Lu said that at the moment when the World Cup arrives at its peak, the flights are most intensive around 7:00 in the morning and early in the morning, and she also worked several night shifts consecutively.
With the help of Xiao Lu, the reporter successfully exchanged the local currency Rial, and Xiao Lu did not leave until the reporter and his party were sent to the taxi.
The reporters thanked each other repeatedly, Xiao Lu said: "You are reporting for Chinese fans, and I am serving Chinese reporters. I am very happy! Very kind!"
Arriving in Doha is already late at night. Photo by Cui Nan, a reporter from China News Agency
It was almost three o'clock in the morning when we arrived at the scheduled accommodation, and the air was still sultry, as if the enthusiasm left after the daytime football gathering faded away.
No matter where the world is, the charm of the Hercules Cup will bring people together, football will ignite passion, and the curtain of the World Cup will begin.
(Finish)