Aleppo International Stadium
History
The construction of the stadium was launched in 1980, based on the design of the Polish Constructor Stanislaw Kus. It was scheduled to be completed in 1987 to become ready for the Mediterranean games. However, the construction process was stopped and delayed for 2 decades due to financial difficulties, until 2003.
Finally, after a record period of 27 years of construction, the stadium became ready in early 2007. Officially, the stadium was opened on 3 April 2007 with an inaugural friendly match between Al-Ittihad SC and Fenerbahçe of Turkey which ended in a 2–2 draw. The first goal scored in the stadium came at the 8th minute of the inaugural match, through Abdul Fattah Al Agha. The Syrian president Bashar Al Assad and Prime Minister of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdoğan attended the opening ceremony and the match.
Civil war
It was severely damaged during the Syrian Civil War. Its facade and many of its indoor facilities were completely destroyed, and the pitch and tribunes took significant damage, especially from mortar fire.
The Syrian government started the process of repairing the stadium after the conclusion of the Battle of Aleppo (2012–2016). Iran has assisted Syria with repairs.
Facts
The stadium has five levels: the first level is the sport ground itself, with its surrounding facilities, the second level consists of training halls, different facilities and support services. The rest three levels are designed to host the attendants' seats; the first tier holds up to 25,000 seats while the second and the third host 14,000 each. The VIP hall located on the third level, is designed and decorated with oriental wood-works.
The stadium occupies an area of 3.5 hectares out of the 33 hectares of the whole sports complex. It is provided with two electronic screens (7X15 meters each). The stadium is all-covered with a pre-built concrete.
Notable matches
Opening match
3 April 2007 Friendly match | Al-Ittihad | 2–2 | Fenerbahçe | |
21:00 UTC+2 | Report | Attendance: 53,000 |
AFC club play-off matches
2010 AFC Cup
15 September 2010 Quarterfinals first leg | Al-Ittihad | 3–2 | Kazma | |
20:00 (UTC+3) | Dakka 45' (pen.) Al Ghabash 62' Shahrour 90' |
Report | Aldafeeri 73' Laheeb 90+4' |
Attendance: 34,400 Referee: Mohamed Al Zarouni (United Arab Emirates) |
19 October 2010 Semifinals second leg | Al-Ittihad | 2 – 0 | Muangthong United | |
20:00 (UTC+3) | Al Hasan 27', 41' | Report | Attendance: 48,000 Referee: Hiroyoshi Takayama (Japan) |
Syria national football team matches
14 January 2009 2011 AFC Asian Cup qualification | Syria | 3–2 | China | |
14:00 UTC+2 | Attendance: 7,000 Referee: Mohsen Torky (Iran) |
18 November 2009 2011 AFC Asian Cup qualification | Syria | 0–0 | Vietnam | |
Attendance: 19,000 Referee: Abdullah Al Hilali (Oman) |