The requested article has expired, and is no longer available. Any related articles, and user comments are shown below.
© Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.World Cup dismay for Qatar as Ecuador wins opening game 2-0
By STEVE DOUGLAS AL KHOR, Qatar©2024 GPlusMedia Inc.
10 Comments
Login to comment
didou
First home country to lose the opening game. It was apparently a very poor display.
mikeylikesit
Qatar needs to redefine what counts as success. It’s a country without a strong soccer tradition that’s never played a World Cup match before last night. Success for Qatar would be scoring a single goal this tournament.
Ecuador won 2-0, but it felt at moments like the team was under orders not to humiliate the hosts. The score easily could have been 7-0 given the lack of quality on the Qatari side.
Don’t want to be humiliated in the World Cup? Then don’t pour hundreds of millions of dollars into bribes to secure a spot as host.
GBR48
Ecuador took their foot off the pedal in the second half, probably under orders not to embarrass the hosts. I don't fancy Qatar's chances v. the Dutch.
Qatar's manager used to coach the Barca youth side but they didn't look comfortable with possession football. Maybe they should have employed Tony Pulis for tight defending and the long ball game. They disturbed the happy slumber of the Ecuador keeper a few times when they moved the ball forward faster.
They aren't the only team to play with inappropriate tactics. England can play well when they play a fast, attacking premiership-style game. When they attempt possession football, they just knock it around at the back until they lose it.
didou
The next World Cup in 2026 will feature 16 more teams. for a total of 48. Way too much. Only more weaker teams like Qatar will qualify, resulting in a drawdown level and some poorer group games. But more sponsorship if India or China make it.
Lepyon
Boys against men. Qatar were awful but with Senegal missing Mane, they may be able to snatch a point in that game. The Dutch will hammer them, maybe 5-0.
Samit Basu
@didou
China's chances in 2026 aren't better, because of the CSL(Chinese Super League)'s collapse.
There's gonna be 8 slots for AFC in 2026. Presumptive qualifying teams are
Australia
Japan
Korea
Iran
Iraq
Saudi Arabia
UAE
Uzbekistan or North KoreaNo room for China.
smithinjapan
It'll be interesting to see how Qatar responds when they are ejected in the first round. Massive clampdown on any fun? Jailing of media? We'll see soon enough.
Dr.Cajetan Coelho
Al-Annabi is a work in progress. Gaffer Felix Sanchez has still a lot to do. Scorer Enner Valencia is leading La Tricolor in the right direction. Good luck to Qatar and Ecuador in the challenges ahead.
virusrex
A very realistic goal, but probably nothing the host country would ever recognize as "success". As said, money can get a low quality team into the world cup but not make it worth of being there.
lostrune2
This is what's more pathetic
Qataris, support your team! Through thick and thin!
Ya wanted the World Cup, but ya can't even stay the whole game?!