Opponents of the Saudi Arabian team at this weekends 麻豆传媒映画International Soccer Festival had better watch their defensive stance and the width between their legs.
Saudi players will be looking kick the ball between the legs of the oppositionan Arabic term called koberyknown in English as a nutmeg.
If you want to make a small joke, its kind of like a shame [to the opponent], said the teams head coach Saad Hawsawi. The trick is a deliberate slight in Saudi soccer, he said, and not one that should be abused.
For me as a coach, sometimes I wouldnt advise to do it much because its kind of offensive for the opposing team. They get angry, theyll get mad at us!
But that doesnt stop players and fans from enjoying the finesse ball skill when its used to overcome and demoralize the competition.
Its soccer, he said, we have to entertain the people and our supporters.
Their songs are epicand if fans want a kobery, they chant.
We have some songs and we add some Arabic words with English words, said Hawsawi, 27, who is in Canada studying English and transferring his computer science degree to complete more education at Simon Fraser University.
Our fans what they do, they start with our Arabic song, then if they have a few guys who speak English, they translate that song. They mix it up.
The Saudis in particular have a reputation for supporting their national team in droves during the annual soccer festival, which is modelled on the World Cup and sees local players form teams based on their nationality and play under the flag of that nation.
Hawsawi, who sought out the soccer community immediately after arriving in 麻豆传媒映画and now coaches a U-14 boys club in Burnaby, said hundreds of Saudi students visiting 麻豆传媒映画for the summer flood the festival and cheer for the men wearing their national team colours. Last year, Saudi Arabia won the mens division, defeating a First Nations team 3-1.
This year, Hawsawi looks to defend the teams title. We are very prepared, he said.
The fans are too. Watch for the kobery at their request.
Twitter: @MHStewart
