Host nation Qatar is dangerously near being eradicated from the World Cup after shedding 3-1 to Senegal on the Al Thumama Stadium.
Qatar’s hopes had been left hanging by a thread after the Friday loss that left them backside of Group A and going through elimination simply 5 days after they opened the event with a 2-0 loss to Ecuador.
The Senegal followers introduced color and noise with rhythmic drumming all through. On the identical time, the house supporters turned out in maroon shirts, with most of the males choosing the standard Center Jap thobe, a pristine white ankle-length tunic.
Qatar confirmed some flashes of thrilling attacking play, however the reigning Asian champions had been undone by sloppy defending that was harshly punished by a Senegalese facet that was simply that little bit higher in each division.
With Qatar defending properly, it was going to take both a second of magic or a catastrophic mistake for Senegal to interrupt the impasse. Sadly, for Qatar defender Boualem Khoukhi it turned out to be the latter. Striker Boulaye Dia scored Senegal’s first aim after Khoukhi tried to make a clearance underneath no stress earlier than falling down.
Senegal’s second aim got here simply three minutes after the break delivered by former Bristol Metropolis striker’s Famara Diedhiou header.
Mohammed Muntari decreased the deficit within the 78th with a bullet header from Ismail Mohamad’s cross for Qatar’s first-ever aim at a World Cup of their debut event, however Senegal was unruffled as they continued to out-muscle their opponents in midfield.
Because the Qatari followers had been hoping for the equaliser, Senegal’s Bamba Dieng scored his crew’s third aim, leaving the host crew backside of the group with no level after two video games performed.
In reality, with the Dutch nonetheless to come back, the Qataris have subsequent to no likelihood of constructing it out of the group, however coach Felix Sanchez advised reporters that he and his crew had by no means anticipated to set the world on hearth, regardless of being at residence.
“Expectations had been set to offer an excellent efficiency and organise an excellent World Cup, and that’s the case,” he advised a information convention, praising his gamers for his or her efforts.