Qatar’s lack of suitability for the World Cup culminates in the goalkeeping performance
Qatar’s disastrous World Cup opener against Ecuador – the highlights in the video
The Qatar national team loses the opening game of the World Cup almost without a chance. Ecuador’s early opening goal is conceded again. Nevertheless, the game is already decided at the break. The highlights in the video.
Qatar loses the one-sided opening game of the World Cup. In the defeat against Ecuador, the hosts’ players are clearly inferior in terms of play, tactics and body. Especially the goalkeeper Saad Al-Sheeb is an almost tragic figure.
EIt all started with a glitch for the Qatar national team. The stadium management was euphorically counting down to the opening game of the World Cup: “Six, five, four…” Referee Daniele Orsato obviously couldn’t wait and simply kicked off the game against Ecuador four seconds earlier – one of the few moments of the first Half in which Qatar had possession. The hosts’ game became a sporting oath of revelation, Qatar lost 2-0 to Ecuador.
The face of defeat was in the Qataris’ goal – Saad Al-Sheeb had a very poor day in what was probably the most important game of his life. The 32-year-old missed twice in the second minute. After a long free kick, he left his six-yard box to punch past the ball. He was again absent from the subsequent cross, so that Enner Valencia was able to score the supposed lead with a header.
Al-Sheeb haunts his own penalty area
What: REUTERS
But the 1-0 for the guests was denied after studying the video evidence. TV viewers learned the reason ten minutes after the goal was not scored, an Ecuadorian kneeling for offside in the creation of the chance. For the 1:0, which then also counted, no review was required.
Al-Sheeb concedes a penalty
Al-Sheeb used both hands to knock Valencia off his feet as he rounded him in the penalty area. Orsato decided on a penalty and showed the goalkeeper a yellow card. Valencia loaded Al-Sheeb and scored the first goal of this World Cup. Even after the goal, the goalkeeper’s nervousness could be felt. Again and again he misjudged himself, again and again he punched crosses that he could have easily intercepted, uncontrolled from the penalty area. Al-Sheeb was powerless for the second goal. Valencia’s header from eleven meters was too placed for the goalkeeper to be able to parry it.
Al-Sheeb knocks Valencia down from the penalty spot
What: REUTERS
Al-Sheeb has played for Qatari series champion Al Saad since 2008. The opponents in the domestic league are called Umm Salal SC, Al-Wakrah SC or Al-Gharafa SC. Like the entire team, the keeper does not seem to be up to the level of a world championship.
Al-Sheeb’s first shot of note was saved in the 54th minute, when he dived past Romario Ibarra’s curl. It was to be the last chance that Ecuador, who also offered underwhelming football, played out.
