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AL KHOR, Qatar: Qatar grew to become the primary residence staff to lose their opening World Cup match as Ecuador cruised to a 2-0 victory over the hosts, with Enner Valencia scoring twice within the match curtain-raiser on Sunday.
Asian champions Qatar loved the backing of nearly all of the group on the 60,000-capacity Al Bayt Stadium, however couldn’t observe a glitzy opening ceremony with a press release efficiency.
Ecuador thought that they had made a dream begin after they silenced the house followers as Valencia headed in, just for the purpose to be dominated out by VAR for an offside within the build-up.
Valencia did break the impasse with a penalty within the sixteenth minute and doubled his tally simply after the half-hour mark.
Qatar improved barely within the second interval, however by the top of the 90 minutes, the thrill which greeted the build-up — that includes Morgan Freeman and BTS star Jung Kook — was a distant reminiscence as hundreds of followers left early amid a deflated ambiance.
Felix Sanchez’s Qatar will probably want a optimistic end result of their second Group A match towards Senegal on Friday simply to keep away from the ignominy of changing into solely the second hosts, after South Africa in 2010, to be dumped out within the first spherical.
Hopes have been excessive among the many crowd that Qatar may make a profitable begin, however the deficiencies of the World Cup debutants have been ruthlessly uncovered by a formidable Ecuador.
Qatar didn’t even muster a shot heading in the right direction within the sport, with spectators submitting out of the stands lengthy earlier than the ultimate whistle.
Within the 92-year historical past of the match, residence international locations had beforehand received 16 and drawn six of their opening matches.
EARLY VAR INTERVENTION
The South People had the ball within the internet inside three minutes when captain Valencia nodded residence from Felix Torres’ miscued overhead kick.
VAR officers noticed an offside towards Michael Estrada within the build-up after Torres challenged for the ball with Qatar goalkeeper Saad al Sheeb.
Ecuador have been utterly dominant within the early exchanges, although, and have been awarded a penalty after Valencia was tripped by Al Sheeb when by way of on purpose.
The previous West Ham ahead coolly despatched Al Sheeb the mistaken means from the spot and stroked the ball into the underside nook to attain his thirty sixth worldwide purpose.
Ecuador didn’t have to attend lengthy to double their benefit as, after a surging run from Moises Caicedo, right-back Angelo Preciado swung in a cross which Valencia met with a thumping header.
Even the small part of noticeably enthusiastic Qatari followers located behind the purpose, who arrived collectively after nearly all of the group and wore matching t-shirts, briefly fell silent.
Almoez Ali, the hero of Qatar’s 2019 Asian Cup success, ought to have pulled one again on the stroke of half-time however may solely steer a free header large from eight yards out.
Ecuador allowed Qatar extra of the ball after the break however nonetheless seemed the extra harmful facet, with Romario Ibarra bringing a diving save from Al Sheeb.
Valencia hobbled off within the 77th minute after being on the mistaken finish of a sequence of heavy challenges, though that may solely have taken a few of the shine off a well-known evening for Ecuador.
By the point an official attendance of 67,372 was learn out over the tannoy, the stadium was barely half full. — AFP
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