A 500 strong Qatar football fan group travelling to the Bahrain National stadium required two full Qatar Airways flights to accommodate them all. The Qatar team is sure to appreciate the extra support from the stands as they compete in a crucial opening game against the Bahrain team for the third round of the 2014 World Cup qualifiers. The Qatar Football Association chartered the two flights to ensure that a large contingent of fans would be on hand to cheer for the team.

It is an acknowledgment by the team management of the crucial role that fan support plays in team performance. The significance of the game for the rest of the qualifying round is clear, as Qatar's goal of qualifying for the fourth stage is on the line. Qatar is currently perched 12 spots above Bahrain in the FIFA rankings, but Bahrain holds a 9-7 advantage going into the match.