Qatar on Sunday became the first World Cup hosts to lose their opening match, going down 2-0 to Ecuador, as soccer’s showpiece got under way after 12 years of turbulent preparations.
Qatar has spent US$200 billion on a remarkable construction project to host the World Cup after the tiny Gulf state shocked the soccer world by winning the right to host the tournament in 2010.
A crowd of 67,372 packed into the impressive Al-Bayt Stadium, modeled on a traditional Bedouin tent, for the opening ceremony.
Photo: AFP
South Korean K-pop star Jung Kook headlined the 30-minute spectacle that featured Hollywood star Morgan Freeman giving a message of diversity.
Ghanim al-Muftah, a Qatari advocate for people with disabilities, born with the rare caudal regression syndrome, appeared with Freeman and told the crowd that “everyone is welcome.”
With FIFA president Gianni Infantino and Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman watching, Qatar’s Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani told the crowd that “we will follow with the whole world, God willing, the great football festival in this open space for human and civilized communication.”
Photo: AFP
Once the action began, reigning Asian champions Qatar were easily beaten.
Ecuador thought they had made a dream start within three minutes when they silenced the home fans as Enner Valencia headed in, only for the goal to be ruled out by video assistant referee for offside in the build-up.
Thirteen minutes later, Ecuador took the lead after Valencia dribbled round Qatari goalkeeper Saad al-Sheeb, who grabbed his shin and the referee pointed to the spot. Valencia coolly rolled home the penalty.
Photo: AFP
Valencia added a second goal to seal Ecuador’s 2-0 win.
“The atmosphere was one of great expectation. We are sorry that we could not be part of the party, but we knew that this scenario could happen... We will try to learn,” Qatar coach Felix Sanchez said.
Thousands of empty seats told the sad story as Qatar’s long-awaited World Cup debut ended in stage fright. Long before the final whistle, the host nation’s fans started heading for the exits.
The exodus began soon after Valencia headed his second goal after the half-hour mark. As the second half wore on, swathes of unfilled seats could be seen throughout the arena as an evening that began with joyous celebrations and heady optimism ended with a whimper.
Carlos Alvear, an Ecuadoran who lives in Ecuador, said it was special to be at the “historic” first World Cup in the Middle East, but also a little strange.
“To be honest, it’s all a bit bizarre. It’s pretty quiet, even if there are more Ecuadorans than I thought there would be,” he said. “But all these buildings look pretty empty.”
Excitement has been slow to build, but on Sunday police had to close the World Cup fan zone in Doha for a second consecutive night when it became overcrowded, witnesses said.
The FIFA Fan Festival, near the Doha seafront, has a 40,000 capacity and gates were closed with thousands waiting outside.
Witnesses reported seeing police pleading with revelers in the dark to move back from the gates, but no injuries were reported. Police on horseback were brought out to control crowds.
“When it’s full it’s full. We would be criticized if we did not close when it reaches capacity,” said a Qatar organizing committee official, speaking on condition of anonymity.
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