Football

I am a keen football supporter so I convinced Barbara and Rebecca to go to a Football game in Jinan. We decided on the game on the 28 June. Shandong was playing Chengdu.

Off we headed to Jinan for the weekend. When we arrived in Jinan I announced that I had left the Chinese instructions to give to the taxi driver back in my apartment. OOPS! All was OK the hotel spoke enough English for us to get the information we needed.

Off we headed at 6.30 pm to the game. Stopped at traffic lights we had scalpers trying to sell us tickets. They didn't speak English, neither did the taxi driver and of course we don't speak Chinese. We declined their offer.

Off to the ticket booth and others were trying to sell us tickets. The full price was Y120 ie $20 and they were being offered for Y50 ie $8. After some negotiations I purchased the tickets, three in a row on the half way line.

Now we needed to buy some merchandise. We went in the hunt for a t-shirt, Guernsey, flag, wristbands anything. In the end we came out with flags.

Now to our gate. We located the gate and entered the stadium. Someone was sitting in our seats. I spoke to the security guard who told me that we could sit somewhere else. It now dawned on me that it is the same as Brazil. You buy a ticket for a section not for a seat. But all was good as we were in a good section and you could see from anywhere.

The seats were filthy. We had to clean them with tissues before we could sit. Others used paper or cardboard. Something to note for next time!

A Chinese man came to sit next to me but my bag was on the chair. I moved my bag and he sat there. Then he wanted photos taken. I obliged.

The stadium was amazing. I have never been to Wembeley stadium but it certainly had that feel and look about it. What more the view was spectacular.

The football started and it was an entertaining first half. Shandong were up 1 - Nil. The football was fast and they had some real pace about them.

Chengdu scored in the second half to equalize and then Shandong came back with another to win 2 - 1.