Host nation Qatar freeze on their big night
Country loses World Cup opening game
Doha – Enner Valencia’s two first-half goals led Ecuador to a 2-0 victory over Qatar yesterday as the home nation froze on their big night with a display that left them as the first World Cup hosts to lose their opening game.
Valencia, who already had a third-minute header ruled out by VAR for offside, slotted in the tournament’s opening goal from the penalty in the 16th minute after being brought down by nervous-looking goalkeeper Saad Alsheeb.
He powered home a 31stminute header for the second and the South Americans then cruised home as an outclassed Qatar struggled to mount any meaningful attacks and had only a fluffed header by Almoez Ali to show for their limited efforts.
Meanwhile, Chaotic scenes broke out inside and outside the fan festival at Al Bidda Park in Doha an hour before the kick off of the opening World Cup match between hosts Qatar and Ecuador after organisers allowed too many fans to flood the precinct.
The venue has a capacity of 40,000 but at least double that number of people tried to make their way in and for a long time many were let into a holding area between the main festival park and the perimeter entrance.
Police realised the problem and had to shepherd irate supporters back out of the venue.
The police took about 45 minutes to clear the excess fans from the area. Tournament organisers, the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy, did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.
Frustrated local fans, volunteers and media were visibly upset with the police, but supporters of other countries appeared more understanding.
While there was chaos in the holding area, the scene inside the park seemed pleasant, with Brazilian fans Andrea Nascimento and Raphael de Jesus appreciating the atmosphere.– Reuters