Israel beats UAE as rugby teams hold first friendly match in Dubai
Clubs then intermingle to play a second mixed-team round; Rivlin hails new ‘bonds of friendship and cooperation’ between nations
The national rugby teams of Israel and the United Arab Emirates held their first friendly game in Dubai Friday, in what was termed the Abraham Accord Friendship Cup — after the name of the normalization agreement between the countries signed last year.
Israel defeated the Emiratis in the game 33 to 0. The teams then mixed into “blue” and “white” teams with each including players from both nations, and played another game.
The white team won that round 50 to 40.
Congratulating the teams in a video message, Israeli President Reuven Rivlin praised the “wonderful expression of the new spirit of people-to-people peace following the historic Abraham Accords.
“While leaders may sign peace agreements, true peace requires people on both sides to build bonds of friendship and cooperation in every arena.”
הנשיא ריבלין מברך את שני איגודי הרוגבי על המפגש שאירע היום https://t.co/nzX1TodnYH
— רוגבי בעברית ???? (@HebrewRugby) March 19, 2021
The Israeli team had flown out to Dubai on Tuesday. Ahead of the journey, player Gilad Goldstein told Kan news: “It’s a very exciting trip. We worked hard ahead of it.”
The president of the Israeli Rugby Association, Ofer Fabian, told Kan: “We were met with a great desire to come together [from the Emirati side]. As far as we’re concerned this should turn into an annual thing, and of course they want to come to Israel.”
The Israeli team stayed in Dubai to celebrate and held an outdoor Shabbat ceremony captured by Khaleej Times writer Michal Divon.
Kiddush and breaking bread after the first Israel-UAE rugby game ???????????????? #ShabbatShalom #AbrahamAccords pic.twitter.com/rmxpXgyyrS
— Michal Divon ميخال ديفون (@michaldivon) March 19, 2021
The Times of Israel Community.