Qatar out of World Cup as Senegal thrashed
Senegal's Bamba Dieng connects a shot during a World Cup group A soccer match against Qatar at Al Thumama Stadium in Doha, Qatar on November 25, 2022. PETR JOSEK AP DOHA -- The muffled anger of fans was evident outside the Al Thumama Stadium after Qatar's 3 -- 1 loss to Senegal on Friday and hours later they were out of the World Cup to become the second host country to suffer that fate after South Africa in 2010.
Qatar has been prepared for the finals since getting the hosting rights in 2010 by spending $200 billion to put on a gathering for all mankind, but it was all over for the team in 180 minutes, according to the title of the opening ceremony.
This whole team should be changed, a Qatar fan told Reuters outside the Al Thumama stadium, without revealing her name.
The 2019 Asian Cup winners didn't live up to expectations and conceded twice in the first half to lose 2 -- 0 against Ecuador after a disappointing and shaky performance, with lots of fans leaving before the end of the tournament.
The team may have paid the price for the decision by the Qatar FA not to allow national team players to feature for their clubs in the local league this season and to devote themselves solely to preparations for the big event.
At times, fatigue and nerves were evident in Qatar's performances, as in the first minutes of the opening match, when goalkeeper Saad AlSheeb would have cost his team an early goal had it not been for the intervention of VAR.
Qatar did not have a shot on the target against Ecuador and continued in the first half against African champions Senegal.
Some fans expected coach Felix Sanchez to make changes in the second half against Ecuador to help his team get back into the game, but he only switched two players midway through the half and a couple near the end when it was too late.
After the Ecuador match, Sanchez said his team's nerves had got the better of him and that games at the World Cup were completely different from any other matches, whether friendlies or official ones, such as the Asian Cup finals.
On the eve of the crucial Senegal game, Sanchez said the team had prepared psychologically for the possibility of an early exit from the tournament.
He said that we are the smallest country to host the World Cup, and we are aware of the fact that we may be knocked out early, but that doesn't mean the end of the football project.
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He said that he is confident that Qatar will continue their effort to maintain a strong team, compete and qualify for the upcoming tournaments.
Sanchez made three changes to the starting lineup, including bringing in goalkeeper Meshaal Barsham, against Senegal.
Individual errors again shattered Qatar's hopes when defender Boualem Khoukhi's fluffed effort to clear the ball allowed Boulaye Dia to pounce and striker rattled the ball into the net at the near post to give Senegal a halftime lead.
Before the game, Sanchez warned of a lack of concentration when Senegal's Famara Diedhou netted with a glancing header from a corner.
In the 78th minute, Qatar got on the scoresheet when substitute Mohammed Muntari fired home his country's first goal in a World Cup on their debut in the tournament.
But six minutes later, Senegal's Bamba Dieng swept home a pass from fellow substitute Iliman Ndiaye for the African side's third goal, consigning Qatar to the bottom of Group A.
When the Netherlands drew 1 -- 1 with Ecuador, it was the end of Qatar's hopes in the World Cup. They have one more game to play against the Dutch on Tuesday.