DOHA, Qatar (AP) — The show is now over for Team Qatar, which was eliminated Friday from the World Cup less than a week after opening the tournament and kicking off the first edition of the Middle East’s biggest soccer event.
Qatar lost 3-1 to Senegal for their second successive World Cup loss and their relegation was confirmed hours later when the Netherlands and Ecuador drew 1-1 in the other Group A match.
Becoming the fastest host nation to exit the tournament in the 92-year history of the World Cup, Qatar cannot advance to the round of 16 regardless of what happens in their final match against the Netherlands.
South Africa were the only other home team to fail to reach the group stage in 2010 – but at least they managed a win and a draw.
“If you expected us to go very far in this tournament, then it will be a disappointment,” Qatar coach Felix Sanchez said before his side were officially sent off. “Our goal was to be competitive.”
The writing was on the wall from the start for Qatar. The team may be the 2019 Asian champions, but they looked nervous and crushed in a 2-0 loss to Ecuador last Sunday immediately after a glitzy opening ceremony hosted by the wealthy Gulf emirate meant to showcase them to the world .
Qatar’s performance on Friday was a little but not much better for a team that plays in the domestic league and lacks that top talent that is present in almost every World Cup team now.
Qatar at least scored a goal this time, a second-half header from substitute Mohamed Muntari, a Ghanaian-born striker who is one of many in the squad born outside Qatar but brought in to boost its World Cup chances. At 2-1, Qatar threatened to mount a comeback against the African champions in just six minutes before Bamba Dieng responded to score Senegal’s third goal to restore the two-goal gap.
Senegal got their campaign back on track after losing their opening game to the Netherlands. Coach Aliou Cisse was also pleased that three forwards, Boulaye Dia, Famara Diehiu and Dieng, got on the scoresheet as Senegal have their own challenge at this World Cup: filling the void left by Sadio Mane’s pre-tournament injury.
Cisse had instructed the rest of his forwards to step it up before they play host to Doha’s Al Thumama Stadium. They responded.
“Yeah, we got the message loud and clear,” Dia said. “Efficiency efficiency efficiency. You have to get in front of the goal and you have to score.”
Qatar had never qualified for the World Cup before FIFA’s highly contested decision in 2010 to award it the tournament. This gave his team automatic entry. But despite the oil and gas-rich nation spending some $220 billion of its vast wealth to build stadiums, roads and even a new city for the World Cup, it has failed to muster a solid defense for the team.
Qatar fell behind against Senegal after an amateur error by centre-back Boualem Kouki, who tried to clear without pressure, misdirected and landed on his back. The ball bounced away from Khoukhi and Dia slotted it in for her first World Cup goal.
Dieudio made it 2-0 early in the second half with a header from a corner until two Qatari defenders failed to stop him.
Qatar were unlucky to be denied a penalty and a chance to take the lead before Dia’s goal. Akram Afif, who was born in Doha, was brought down by the onrushing Ismaila Sarr, but referee Antonio Mateu of Spain did not award a penalty even though replays showed there had been contact.
“We have to forget about today, move on and play Holland,” Sanchez said.
WAVE (GOOD BYE?) TO CATAR
As Qatar rallied briefly in the second half, the Qatar supporters in white tried to get behind their team.
Thousands of home fans walked out midway through Qatar’s first loss to Ecuador, but they stayed against Senegal and even erupted into a wave around the stadium. It turned out to be more of a wave to say goodbye to the World Cup.
NO Flaws
Senegal were closer to adjusting to life in Qatar without Mane, with these three strikers on the scoresheet.
“It is very difficult to replace a player like Sadio Mane, but football is a team sport,” Senegal coach Cisse said.
Also crucial for Senegal, goalkeeper Edouard Mendy made two world-class saves to suggest a return to some form after being blamed for both goals in the 2-0 loss to the Dutch.
WHAT NEXT
Qatar bowed out against the Netherlands on Tuesday. Senegal are still not out of trouble and face Ecuador on the same day, both playing for a place in the last 16.
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