Ecuador spoil Qatar’s party

Muscat:  Qatar’s dream of a winning start at home was dashed by a calm and composed Ecuador team as the hosts went down 2-0 in the opening match of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 at the Al Bayt Stadium in Doha on Sunday.

The match followed a spectacular opening 30-minute ceremony that set the mood for the 60,000 fans inside the stadium. However, the party atmosphere of the hosts celebrating the start of the first-ever World Cup in the Middle East was somewhat dampened by the defeat.

Ecuador captain Enner Valencia’s brace provided the South American side a perfect start as he scored twice in the first half to give his team three points in the Group A match. The attacking left-winger, who plays for Turkey’s leading club Fenerbahçe, effortlessly tapped in the first goal in the 16th minute from the penalty spot.

Qatar’s erratic goalkeeper Saad al-Sheeb brought Valencia down in the box and the ex-West Ham forward stepped up to convert the spot-kick. It got worse for the hosts as Valencia powered in another header before half-time to leave the Al Bayt Stadium silenced at the break.

The 33-year-old, who always looked threatening during the first half in which the South Americans ran circles around the home team, headed home a goal off a looping long-cross.

It could have been a hat-trick for Valencia, but his opening goal, also a header, in the early exchanges was disallowed for a controversial offside following an intervention by VAR.

After the Valencia double Ecuador appeared to take their foot off the pedal and allowed Qatar some territorial advantage which could not be put to good use.

Valencia was taken off the field in the 76th minute after having struggled with his right knee for most of the first half.

Qatar’s star players Almoez Ali and captain Hassan al-Haydos were both substituted with 20 minutes remaining, and the side were unable to muster a shot on target.

The hosts coached by Spanish Felix Sanchez have been together in camp for the last six months to prepare for the tournament and work on tactics, but a nervous and disjointed performance led to a loss.

With Africa Cup of Nations champions Senegal and three-time finalists the Netherlands to come, Qatar face tougher challenges ahead.