The 2014 Gulf Cup of Nations – known locally as Khaleej 22 – is an assault on the senses; Riyadh provides a hectic and fast-paced setting for a tournament that sparks regional pride.
The Saudi capital exists as a collision of sights, sounds and smells. Kingdom Centre is the resplendent skyscraper at the heart of the city, its iconic 'bottle-opener' design a wonder to behold.
Fumes from the hundreds of thousands of cars that pack its clogged road, fast food and Oud perfume waft across your nose at regular intervals.
The sounds are what you'd expect from a bustling metropolis, the honking of horns and drilling from the ongoing work on the Riyadh Metro dominating.
There is no rest for the ears when it comes to the Gulf Cup, itself. The masses of journalists drawn from the Arabian Gulf and beyond provide a unique experience of their own.
Press boxes can often be staid places, with little scope for outpourings of emotion. This is certainly not the case here.
Oman is one of the least heralded nations taking part, but their media provides the biggest footprint. Vibrantly coloured red, green and white clothing is de rigueur.
Baseball caps, scarves, T-shirts, bandanas and flags travel with them. This vivid sight is multiplied in intensity once the games kick off.
The Red Warriors have drawn both Group B fixtures played thus far, against the UAE and Iraq.
The latter contest against the Lions of Mesopotamia featured loud yelps as their cherished side pushed for a deserved winner that was never to come.
'Yalla', the Arabic for 'come on', was screamed with ever-growing frustration. The volume levels raised with every missed chance, reaching ear-splitting by the time substitute Said Salim contrived to produce an air-shot in the 92nd minute with the goal at his mercy.
The passion is not restricted to the press box. Press conferences following games are usually banal affairs in which the action is presented in a number of cliched ways.
That is certainly not always the case in Riyadh. Kuwait boss Jorvan Vieira is a slight 63-year-old Brazilian, but neither age or build hold him back.
He has more than given his own throughout, the accumulation of 34 years spent mostly coaching in the region providing knowledge of how best to survive the Arabian Gulf press pack.
This approach reached its zenith on Monday night following the 2-2 draw with UAE. Slighted after reading an inaccurate translation in which Whites coach Mahdi Ali was incorrectly quoted as saying his opposite number knew nothing about Emirati football, he came out fighting.
Demands for respect forced a journalist wearing a UAE tracksuit off his feet. A slanging match ensued with the forceful Kuwait translator, Vieira continually fuelling the fire.
At the press conference's close, a hugely-respected veteran Saudi journalist – who ends every astute question with a sonorous 'Shukran' (Arabic for 'thank you') – brought the parties together for a group picture. One argument, at least, quelled for now.
