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YOU watched Sunday midnight’s opening World Cup between host Qatar and Ecuador?
The two-0 scoreline in favour of the South People confirmed a component of competitiveness however the fact of the matter is that there’s nonetheless a yawning hole, particularly when it comes to top-class expertise.
To not fear, Asian groups are slowly however certainly closing on this hole with none lopsided outcomes.
Agreed, it wasn’t the consequence that many in Qatar would have hoped for. The host seemed nervous and struggled towards an opposition possessing hardcore expertise and high quality. In reality, the sport was all however over at halftime, with Ecuador comfortably 2-0 up thanks to 2 targets by Enner Valencia.
PHYSICALLY COMPETITIVE
In my view, Asian groups ought to merely give their 100 per cent in each match, chase for each ball and be as bodily aggressive over 90 minutes.
I used to be glad that the opening ceremony itself centered closely, not solely on soccer but in addition on unity, with performances giving a nod to all of the nations enjoying on this 12 months’s rare-in-the-desert event.
Little question, Qatar have been second-best. Ecuador overwhelmed them from the primary minute of the sport. Each set piece that they had, was simply dropped within the field, they usually have been simply higher. They have been profitable the primary balls, they have been profitable the second balls.
To be sincere, physically, they bossed the sport within the second half. They began passing round them, they have been enjoying of their half. They bossed the sport. That’s all it was.
FIRST HOST TO LOSE
Freezing within the desert shouldn’t be straightforward however Qatar managed it on Sunday night time in changing into the primary host nation to lose a gap sport at a World Cup. No different host nation within the competitors’s 92-year historical past had ever misplaced the opening sport.
I have to placed on report that Qatar was so monumentally unhealthy earlier than the break that 1000’s of their followers that had packed out the 60,000-capacity Al Bayt Stadium in Doha by no means bothered returning after the break; the normal white thobes and black abayas changed by empty pink seats.
However maintain your heads excessive, Qatar, there’s nonetheless a yawning hole, particularly when it comes to top-class expertise. However mark my phrases: Asian groups are slowly however certainly closing on this hole with none lopsided outcomes.
Suresh Nair is an award-winning sports activities journalist who can also be a professional worldwide coach and worldwide referee teacher
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