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.
TAIWANESE EXITS: Fellow Australian Christopher O’Connell joined Tristan Schoolkate as a winner following his 6-1, 6-2 defeat of Tseng Hsin-chun Australian qualifier Tristan Schoolkate on Monday dispatched rising Brazilian talent Joao Fonseca 7-6 (7/5), 6-4 at the ATP Toronto Masters, ensuring a breakthrough into the world top 100. The 24-year-old from Perth moved to 98th in the ongoing live rankings as he claimed his biggest career victory by knocking out the ATP NextGen champion from November last year. Schoolkate, son of a tennis coach, won his first match over a top-50 opponent on his sixth attempt as he ousted the world No. 49 teenager from Brazil. The qualifier played a quarter-final this month in Los Cabos and won through qualifying for his
Top seeds Alexander Zverev of Germany and American Coco Gauff on Tuesday advanced to the third round of the Canadian Open after both players were pushed hard by their opponents. World No. 3 Zverev, playing in his first match since his first-round loss at Wimbledon, was far from his best, but emerged with a 7-6 (8/6), 6-4 win over Adam Walton under the lights in Toronto. Momentum shifted firmly in Zverev’s favor when he won a 52-shot rally in the first set tiebreak and he sealed the win on a double fault by the Australian in the second set. “It was a very
Canadian teenager Victoria Mboko upset top-seeded Coco Gauff 6-1, 6-4 on Saturday night to reach the National Bank Open quarter-finals. “Your support was incredible,” Mboko told the crowd in French after a chorus of “Ole, Ole, Ole” chants echoed around the venue. “I’m really happy to win today ... It’s incredible. I’m so happy to beat such a great champion.” Gauff dropped to 2-3 since winning the French Open. She followed the major victory with opening losses in Berlin and Wimbledon, then overcame double-fault problems to win two three-set matches in Montreal. Gauff had five double-faults on Saturday after having 23 in
Formula 1 champion Max Verstappen on Thursday said that he is staying with the Red Bull team next year, ending months of speculation over his future. “Some people just like to stir the pot, some people just like to create drama, but, for me, it’s always been quite clear, and also for next year,” the four-time champion said ahead of the Hungarian Grand Prix. “I’m discussing with the team already the plans — the things that we want to change for next year, so that means that I’m also staying with the team for next year,” he said. Verstappen has a contract with
RSS