World Cup: Soccer: Host Qatar crashes out after loss to Senegal
DOHA – The Qatar’s World Cup Hope were decimated after a 1-3 loss to Senegal and a draw between Ecuador and the Netherlands that left them bottom of Group A with no chance of progressing, just five days after they opened the tournament with a 0- defeat. 2 against Ecuador.
The Qataris needed Ecuador to win but they fell short to Cody Gapko’s early goal, and although they equalized it was not enough to prevent Qatar from becoming the first team to be knocked out of the final where they yes spent a reported $200 billion to organize.
Qatar displayed some compelling attacks, but the defending Asian champions were subdued by a sloppy defense that was brutally punished by a Senegal team that was marginally better in every way.
Senegal fans brought color and buzz with rhythmic drumming throughout, while home fans wore maroon shirts, with many men opting for the traditional Middle Eastern outfit of the thobe, A pure white dress that reaches to the ankles.
The tension on Qatar’s opening night was gone as they quickly faced Senegal and should have had a penalty when Ismaila Sarr fouled Akram Afif, but Spaniard Antonio Mateu did. dismissed their pleas and VAR did not intervene.
With Qatar defending well, Senegal would need a moment of magic or a catastrophic mistake to break the deadlock and unfortunately for Qatar defender Boualem Khoukhi, it turned out to be a latecomer.
His attempt to block a routine low pass into the box from Krepin Diatta went horribly wrong as he made a messy clearance, allowing Boulaye Dia to charge, and he did. scored the opening goal for the home team just before halftime.
With the Qatari crowd somewhat sparser early in the second half, Famara Diedhou doubled Senegal’s advantage with a fine header from Ismail Jakobs’ corner in the 48th minute.
QUATAR SCORE
The home team’s missing fans soon returned to their seats and were rewarded with some stellar strikes as the hosts scored their first goal-scoring attempt of the tournament, with Ismail Mohamad forcing Edouard Mendy must have excellent reflexes to block.
Muntari shortened the lead in the 78th minute with a header from Mohamad’s cross to score Qatar’s first goal of a World Cup in their maiden tournament but Senegal were undeterred as they continued to dominate. opponents in the midfield.
Six minutes after Muntari’s strike, Bamba Dieng passed his substitute teammate Iliman Ndiaye to score the African team’s third, putting Qatar at the bottom of Group A with no points, while the Netherlands and Ecuador had four. points and Senegal three points.
Qatar coach Felix Sanchez told reporters that he and his team never looked forward to setting the world on fire, despite playing at home.
He said at a press conference, praising his players for their efforts: “Expectations have been set to deliver a good performance and organize a good World Cup, and that is the truth.
“We wanted to show what we could do on the pitch – most of our opponents were ahead of us in many ways, but we showed what we could do.”
The 46-year-old Spaniard points out how being a small country with a small population has hindered the national team and says qualifying for the tournament a second time would be beneficial. big.
First, however, they must face the Netherlands in their last match at the event.
“We have to prepare for the Netherlands, and we know it will be a tougher game for them – a great opponent, with some great players,” said Sanchez.
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