Hapless hosts Qatar on the brink of an early World Cup exit after the African champions cruise to victory 3-1 in the Group A clash to give their chances of reaching the last 16 a huge boost. Boulaye Dia put the African champions ahead just before half time. Famara Diedhiou doubled Senegal’s lead just after the interval. Mohammed Muntari scored Qatar’s first ever World Cup goal to give them hope. Baba Dieng scored a late goal to wrap up all three points for Senegal. The associated Press has the story:
Senegal 3-1 Qatar, hosts on brink of World Cup exit
Newslooks- DOHA, Qatar (AP)
Qatar are on the verge of a group-stage exit in their home World Cup after suffering a second successive defeat against Senegal 3-1, the African champions cruise to victory in the Group A clash to give their chances of reaching the last 16 a huge boost.
The Middle East side battled valiantly but will be out with a game to spare if the Netherlands avoid defeat against Ecuador later on Friday (16:00 GMT kick-off).
But the African champions are up and running courtesy of Boulaye Dia breaking the deadlock four minutes before half-time, slamming home to punish Boualem Khoukhi’s miscued clearance.
The best stadiums to ever stage a World Cup? Quite possibly. But Qatar risk being remembered for having the worst hosting team to go with those sparking steel and glass structures in the desert.
South Africa were the only hosts to exit at the group stage previously but they won our admiration for giving it a go in 2010. Qatar waited until they were trailing 2-0 before doing so here.
They got a goal back – their first ever at a World Cup – but it’s a second successive defeat for the Qataris. They’re heading for the exit, much like their supporters who have taken to leaving games early.
In better news for Senegal, they became the first African team to win a game at this World Cup, doing so without Sadio Mane.
Manager Aliou Cisse will not like how they gave Qatar a glimpse of a result in the second half but a win’s a win. Their date with Ecuador on Tuesday now has all the makings of a tasty decider.
Qatar’s erratic goalkeeper Saad Al Sheeb was dropped to make way for Meshaal Barsham, the younger brother of Olympic high jump champion Mutaz Essa Barshim. One early leap from Barsham was misjudged as Famara Diedhiou nearly headed home a corner.
Every man in Senegal’s XI had experience of playing in Europe’s elite leagues. Only one member of Qatar’s team could say the same and that was Akram Afif, their brightest spark.
In the 34th minute, with Qatar having not yet managed a shot on target at this World Cup, the hosts hoped for some help from Spanish referee Antonio Mateu. Afif broke behind Senegal and stepped across Ismaila Sarr, dropping down under pressure from the Watford player.
It was clever from Afif – the sort of movement we see Leicester’s Jamie Vardy make in the Premier League – yet it didn’t work. No penalty from Mateu, and no correction from VAR, despite Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo winning a spot-kick for much less a day previous.
The Qataris’ anger was only amplified when Boulaye Dia then made it 1-0 to Senegal. Central defender Boualem Khoukhi made a mess of trying to clear the danger in his own box, Dia capitalised and lashed the loose ball beyond Barsham.
The Netherlands are next. South Africa beat France in their final group game in 2010. It will take an almighty effort if Qatar are to ensure they don’t go down as the World Cup’s worst hosts in history.
Boulaye Dia (R) put Senegal ahead as he found the net just before half time against Qata
Looking to hit back in the second period, Qatar’s hopes were dashed when former Bristol City striker Famara Diedhiou rose to flick in a glorious header just three minutes after the break.
Watford’s Ismaila Sarr had an early chance on his 50th cap but struck into the side netting, while Everton’s Idrissa Gueye’s rasping drive went narrowly wide.
Qatar felt they should have had a first-half penalty when Akram Afif was bundled over in the box by Sarr, but Spanish referee Antonio Lahoz pointed only for a goal-kick, much to the anger of the home supporters.
Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy made stunning reflex saves to deny Almoez Ali and Ismaeel Mohammad but he could do nothing about Mohammed Muntari’s powerful header.
Qatar were searching for the equaliser, but Bamba Dieng stroked in to deflate the home following and leave Qatar bottom of the group without a point after two games played.
