Hosts Qatar have no chance of reaching the round of 16 after just two matchdays at the World Cup. The mood was still better during the defeat against Senegal than at the start, also because of an enigmatic group of fans.
After five days it’s already over. Qatar is out. The draw between the Netherlands and Ecuador shattered any hope of progressing to the round of 16 despite two defeats.
Qatar like South Africa 2010
After South Africa in 2010, Qatar is the second host of a football World Cup to fail in the preliminary round. In a 3-1 draw with Senegal, Spain coach Félix Sanchez’s team performed much better than they did in the 2-0 loss to Ecuador in the opening game. “You have to know where we come from. We have to work with a lot of restrictions here.”said Sanchez, “Qatar is a small country. The league is not that competitive.“
training in Europe
However, Qatar is also a very rich country, which made almost everything possible in order to play a successful tournament. So the coach had almost heavenly conditions in the preparation. For half a year, his team trained mainly in Europe.
Participation in the World Cup qualification out of competition
Other continental federations have also lent their support to the 2019 Asian champions in recent years. In South America, Qatar was allowed to take part in the Copa America, in North and Central America in the Gold Cup, UEFA allowed participation in the qualification for the World Cup, but the games were not included in the ranking because Qatar, as the host, was qualified anyway.
Soccer enthusiasm in the country?
It was short-lived and the question is whether the 350,000 or so Qataris among the ten times as many residents of the Persian Gulf emirate caught the enthusiasm for football.
The atmosphere in the Al Thumama stadium on Friday (November 25, 2022) was much better in the game against Senegal than in the opening game. Although many spectators left their seats early, the big exodus only started after the 1:3 in the 84th minute.
Organized fans are puzzles
The block of organized fans behind a goal also emptied visibly when all hope of winning a point was gone.
Many of the fans in the burgundy t-shirts gathered behind the block, grabbing sandwiches from a cardboard box and plastic coke bottles that were waiting for them.
The group had caused consternation during the hosts’ first game by missing the opening ceremony, after which they provided lead singers and drums in support of Qatar’s team.
Two days earlier, a video had been published on Hussien A. Hammoud’s Facebook page that probably solved part of the mystery.
The clip shows how a “coach” in a stadium in Doha guides fans in support. The rehearsed chants are strongly reminiscent of those that were then sung by the organized fans at the Qatar games.
Paid fans? Qatar denies
The group is said to be an association of Ultras who support Arab teams. Observations by the sports show confirmed the assumption made a few days ago on the “ntv.de” portal that several ultras from the Nehmej SC club from Beirut are represented in the group.
Fans with Lebanese jerseys and flags could be spotted in the block. Tweets from the verified account @FALebanon also indicate this. So it says there: “Nejmeh fans are doing a great job as a driving force in the Qatar block.” In another: “Thanks to the fans of Nejmeh.”
No fans bought according to the organizing committee
It is unclear whether the presumably pan-Arab group paid for the trip to Qatar, the stay and the tickets out of their own pockets. Allegations that the hosts paid fan groups have been firmly rejected by the organizing committee.