Qatar stunned the world yet again by pulling off a famous victory over eight-time champions Mexico to reach the quarterfinals of the CONCACAF Gold Cup on Monday with Hazem Shehata’s superb angled header from Musaab Khidir’s cross in the 27th minute helping the reigning Asian champions to the knockout stage of the biennial tournament.
The Al Annabi stars, 58th in the FIFA rankings, had a slow start to their campaign after suffering a 2-1 loss to Haiti in the opening match before holding Honduras to a 1-1 draw.
The triumph over the 14th FIFA-ranked Mexicans ensured the team finished runners-up in the group, four points ahead of Honduras on goal difference.
Qatar, who were invited to the CONCACAF Gold Cup for the first time in 2021, would be hoping to go a step further than they did at the last tournament, where they reached the semi-final before eventually losing to eventual champions USA. While not counting the chicks before the eggs are fully hatched, the latest feat by the boys in Maroon, however, is worth celebrating considering the not-too-pleasant performance of the team at the last FIFA World Cup.
Coach Carlos Queiroz's team, meanwhile, has continued to show remarkable improvement in the last couple of months, and the exemplary fighting spirit displayed against the Mexicans is an indication of the upward trend the team is going considering how they held their nerves and availed their only chance with a 10-yard header from Shehata while remaining vigilant in defence thwarting several attempts by the Mexicans, particularly in the second half of the enthralling encounter.
With the 2023 AFC Asian Cup, which Qatar will be hosting next January, in view, an outstanding outing by the team at the CONCACAF Gold Cup will doubtlessly give the Asia champions a psychological edge as they prepare to reverse the disappointment of the World Cup with the expected successful defence of their title in Doha.
If Qatar successfully pulls off a surprise in the USA, one of the host nations of the ongoing tournament, the team will be adding their names to the list of many commendable accomplishments Qatar has made in sports, including being the first Middle Eastern country to host the FIFA World Cup.
Going down memory lane, Doha was the first city in the region and only the second in West Asia (following Tehran in 1974) to host the Asian Games when it hosted the 15th edition at the Khalifa International Stadium in December 2006. This edition was also the first time that all 45 member nations of the Olympic Council of Asia took part in this sporting event.
One cannot but wish the Al Annabi all the best as they edge closer to achieving their dream of being the first country outside of North America to lift the prestigious CONCACAF Gold Cup.
