QATAR winning the Asian Cup is more than just a sporting triumph. Agreed that being in the UAE for the continent’s biggest national football team was a tough assignment but Felix Sanchez’s young and exuberant side has done what soccer powerhouses like Korea Republic, Iran and four-time champions Japan could not. Battling the odds was the making of a fairytale run for Qatar’s talented football squad from January 5 to February 1.
When Qatar thrashed disgruntled hosts UAE in the semi-finals last Tuesday, the home fans behaved in an unruly fashion by throwing water bottles and sandals at Al Annabi players. Qatar players remained calm and composed and went to create history by winning the final on Friday in what was their maiden appearance.
After receiving the trophy, the Qatar players during their lap of honour gave special thanks to flag-waving Oman fans present at the Zayed Sports City Stadium. The QFA leadership also went the extra mile to thank the Omani fans.
With Qatar fans facing hurdles from the host the country to complete their travel to the UAE, Oman fans stepped up and backed Al Annabi players at all of their matches. It clearly showed that football united neighbouring Gulf countries Oman and Qatar. Social media clips showed fans in Kuwait also celebrated Qatar’s epic sporting glory.
The world media was gracious in acknowledging Qatar’s astonishing run, dissecting QFA’s to develop a squad that is ready to compete with the best in Asia. After the final in which Qatar stunned Japan, wire agencies went lyrical to run interviews of coach Sanchez and players Hassan Al Haydos, Almoez Ali and Akram Afif.
On the contrary, media in UAE - one of the four countries to impose illegal blockade on Qatar - touched a new low with one paper running a headline “Unlucky Samurai Blue lose Asian Cup final” completely ignoring the fact that Qatar capped a dream run fair and square.
What’s more, Emirates football officials did not shake hands with Qatar players at the trophy presentation on Friday and because of the blockade - a fan tweeted - “Qatar team couldn’t fly back home from UAE and instead had to take a 3-hour bus ride to Sohar where Oman fans greeted them like heroes.”
UAE’s lack of sportsman spirit was the only low point of the last three weeks. The reaction of the citizens and residents in Qatar after the final whistle on Friday and the grand welcome at Corniche showed the country remains united even in tough times imposed by the blockading countries. All of this has been possible only because of a sporting triumph from Qatar’s football team!
