Al Ittihad midfielder Fabinho says the hosts’ fervent support could prove decisive in their bid to reach the Fifa Club World Cup final – although he joked he does not want to meet old rivals Manchester City in the showpiece.
The former Liverpool star, who made the move to Saudi Arabia in July, was integral to Ittihad’s 3-0 victory in the tournament opener against Auckland City on Tuesday night in Jeddah.
The kingdom is staging the Club World Cup for the first time. The win set up a highly anticipated, second-round clash on Friday with African champions Al Ahly, where the teams will meet at another sold-out King Abdullah Sports City for a place in the semi-final.
That will take place on Monday against recent Copa Libertadores champions Fluminense, with the carrot of a potential final against 2022/23 treble winners City to come on December 22.