Qatar’s Asian Cup win has not only put the country in the spotlight, but has also created a consensus that it won’t merely be a participating nation when it hosts the 2022 World Cup.
Veni, vidi, vici. The marauding Maroons came, saw and conquered Asian football in astonishing fashion.
Ranked outside the continent’s top 10 teams, few apart from former Barcelona midfielder Xavi expected Qatar to lift the 2019 AFC Asian Cup. But marshalled by Spaniard Felix Sanchez, who has been at the helm for a little less than two years, the Qataris went on an absolute rampage in the United Arab Emirates, leaving behind better favoured teams like South Korea and Saudi Arabia in their path of destruction, scoring a phenomenal 19 goals and conceding just one, that too in the final after 608 minutes of play.
The Qataris braved the odds, which were aplenty, on their way to their first major trophy. Firstly, Qatari citizens are largely barred from entering the UAE, as well as Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. The Gulf state has been estranged from its neighbours since June 2017, mainly because of its alleged support of the Muslim Brotherhood, which the UAE and Saudi Arabia consider a terrorist organisation. Consequently, Qatar played without any support, barring a lone South Korean fan and a handful of Omanis.
Qatar’s national anthem was met with jeers, but the players motored on, even amid a barrage of sandals and water bottles that rained on them every time they scored against the UAE in the semifinals.
Qatar was accused of document tampering and illegal naturalisation of players by the UAE, as late as a few hours before the final, and the UAE Football Association had lodged a formal complaint with the Asian Football Confederation over the eligibility of two of Qatar’s players, which was subsequently dismissed by the AFC.
But the 11 men on the pitch had their blinkers on, remained focused on the task at hand and delivered to perfection. And to call this win a fluke would be an injustice toa side moulded by Sanchez into champions.
Bu hikaye Sportstar dergisinin February 23, 2019 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye Sportstar dergisinin February 23, 2019 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
Tokyo Marathon Cancelled For Amateurs On Coronavirus Fears
Organisers in Japan cancelled the amateur portion of the Tokyo marathon, affecting around 38,000 runners, on fears about the spread of the new coronavirus in Japan.
Right Criteria To Pick The Tennis GOAT
What should the criteria be? What weight should be attached to each criterion? And what should not be considered as valid criteria?
The making of a batting behemoth
If Steve Smith dominated the Ashes in England in a dramatic, blockbuster fashion then his like for like a replacement, Marnus Labuschagne, is the Next Big Thing after an exciting summer of run-glut.
WHEN ACES WERE REWARDED...
It was an evening of nostalgia and celebration when the Sportstar Aces awards were given away in Mumbai.
A question of recognition
After a week of awards, one wonders if it’s only a departed player that one will be named after.
Thinking straight, thinking right!
“A lot depends on when I am bowling and what is required from me. That’s something I do when I play for India and I try to follow the same thing in the domestic circuit,” says Yuzvendra Chahal.
The Big Three and the Next Gen
Though the Big Three are very unlikely to retire during the same year, Judy Murray, mother of Andy, echoed the sentiments of many fans worried about the impact of their departures.
WAKING UP TO MENTAL HEALTH
Sport at large and cricket specifically has taken an inordinately long time to address the elephant in the room — the dark abyss of depression.
Like sunshine in a gloomy dressing room
Bangladesh quick Abu Jayed Rahi is new in the red-ball arena, but his swing brings back old memories — of James Anderson on green tops.
The league of the masses
With traditional clubs locking horns with the hard-working nurseries of the game, the I-League will continue to keep the beating heart of Indian football alive despite official apathy.
