The FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2021 is just one round away from the knockout stage as 16 matches have already been decided in the 19-day tournament being hosted in six of the eight FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 stadiums.
The 16-team competition, which is seen as a dress rehearsal for the next year’s football showpiece, was started on November 30 with a dazzling opening ceremony at the Al Bayt Stadium, inaugurated ahead of the match between hosts Qatar and Bahrain.
It was a night to remember as the Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani declared the tournament open in front of almost a packed house at the 60,000-seater Al Bayt Stadium. Several head of the states and FIFA President Gianni Infantino were also in attendance during the unique technology-filled ceremony.
Almost an hour later, Stadium 974 in Ras Abu Aboud also hosted its first match with the UAE edging Syria 2-1.
The tournament has so far produced thrilling matches with the Asian champions Qatar, Algeria, Egypt and Morocco already advancing to the quarter-finals. The next round of the group stage which starts tomorrow will decide the fate of other teams.
To say the tournament is highly successful so far would not be an overstatement as fans are cheering every moment – supporting their teams and enjoying thrilling activities in several fan zones.
The competing teams including their players and head coaches are giving full marks to Qatar’s organisation of the Arab Cup, which is being held for the first time under the FIFA umbrella. Many players have said they are relishing their experience of playing in the state-of-the-art venues of the next year’s World Cup.
The Arab Cup is a tournament to celebrate for home fans also as Qatar have won both their opening matches, sealing hard fought victories against Bahrain and Oman. Al Annabi, coached by Felix Sanchez, will be hoping for a victory against four-time winners Iraq tomorrow before playing their quarter-final on December 10.
The best part of the tournament so far is a good crowd attendance in most of the matches, which is expected to increase as the tournament will progress to the quarter-finals.
As the thrill and cheers continue, plenty of more exciting action is on the cards in the event, which will go down in history as one of the most memorable tournaments in the Arab world owing to Qatar’s flawless organisation.
