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Mohammed Muntari made Qatari World Cup history at the Al Thumama Stadium
Photo: MOLLY DARLINGTON / REUTERS
Scene of the game:
Qatar's Akram Afif had actually done everything right: the host's star player had briefly slowed down in the opponent's penalty area so that Ismaïla Sarr would bring him down from the penalty spot with speed.
He did too.
Only one player didn't play along: referee Antonio Mateu Lahoz decided to continue playing when the score was 0-0.
In this 34th minute the World Cup could have taken a good turn for Qatar - so they are close to the end.
Result:
Qatar lost 1:3 (0:1) against Senegal on the 2nd matchday of Group A.
Here is the match report.
First half:
A Qatari selection changed to three positions played much better than in the disappointing World Cup opener, even if African champions Senegal were the slightly better team.
However, coach Aliou Cissé's team needed the help of fellow sportsman Boualem Khouki to score the opening goal.
The veteran, who had been retrained from winger to central defender, put the ball down for Boulaye Dia, both involuntarily and without pressure, and the attacker from Salernitana chased it uncompromisingly into the left corner (41st minute).
New number one:
Saad al-Sheeb lost his place in goal to Meshaal Barsham after his debatable performance against Ecuador.
Curious: Both play together for Al Sadd, where Barsham gets more playing time anyway.
The 24-year-old is also the brother of a national hero: Mutaz won Olympic gold in the high jump in 2021.
Second half:
Whatever encouragement Qatar's coach Félix Sánchez gave his team at half-time – after three minutes it was all wasted.
Ismail Jakobs brilliantly took a corner into the center of the penalty area, where Famara Diedhiou with his 1.90 meters in the six-yard box prevailed and put the ball perfectly into the corner.
Barsham would not have used his brother's bounce, 0:2 (48th).
Senegal now switched back, allowing Qatar promising chances through Abdelkarim Hassan (61'), Almoez Ali (63') and Ismael Mohammad (67').
Mohammed Muntari actually headed the gap to 1:2 (78') before Cheikh Dieng restored the old gap (84').
Lack of flight behaviour:
Numerous fans fled the stadium after the goal to make it 2-0 against Ecuador.
A behavior that is probably common in Qatar and is by no means meant to be disrespectful.
They were shocked by the international criticism and probably as a reaction to it, the Qatari stayed on their places even with the score of 0:2 against Senegal and continued to cheer on their team.
Muntari's dream
: Stars Ali and Afif were destined to score Qatar's first World Cup goal.
But he was snatched up by one intended only as a back-up for Qatar's top two players: Al Sadd's 26-year-old Muntari.
And what a nice thing: the lanky attacker heaved Hassan's wonderful cross into the left corner of the goal.
Rewarding a brave performance by the Qatari who made amends for a poor showing against Ecuador.
Jakobs' coronation:
In summer 2021 Jakobs became European U21 champion with Germany.
After that, the native of Cologne changed his footballing home.
Until shortly before the tournament, his participation was in jeopardy due to the lack of a permit.
This came just in time, he came on as a substitute in the first game, followed by the starting XI against Qatar.
The high point in the career of the 23-year-old defender from AS Monaco, which he crowned with an assist.
First win for Africa:
Senegal lost to the Netherlands, Cameroon to Switzerland and Ghana to Portugal.
Tunisia drew with Denmark, as did Morocco with Croatia.
Game number six for an African representative now brought the first victory.
It was also needed for the group final against Ecuador (November 29, 4 p.m.).
Position in the group:
Qatar aren't eliminated yet, but everything has to go in their favour.
First requirement: Ecuador must win against the Netherlands at 5 p.m.
The next concern of the 2019 Asian champions would be that at the end of the if-then-but-calculation there would have to be a win against the Dutch.