November 19 – Qatar may still have critics of their right to host the 2022 World Cup but on the field the Gulf state has struck a significant blow by becoming the first side to book a spot at the 2019 Asian Cup and the next round of 2018 World Cup regional qualifiers.
With off the field politics dominating the Asian landscape, not least the 10-year ban meted out to Asian Football Confederation powerbroker Ganesh Thapa of Nepal, the focus switched back to the game itself on Tuesday and saw Qatar win 3-0 against Bhutan to secure top spot in Group C when Hong Kong and China played out a 0-0 draw, a blow to China’s hopes of making a second World Cup appearance.
That match was always going to be politically sensitive and home fans booed the Chinese national anthem at the Mong Kok Stadium, where there was a heavy police presence.
For their part, Qatar have now won all six matches though their Uruguayan coach Jose Daniel Carreno cautioned against over-optimism. “We are on the right track,” he said. “However, right now, we haven’t won anything. When it comes to playing in the World Cup, we are still a long way from it.”
East Timor, without seven nationalised Brazilians after complaints about their eligibility, were trounced 10-0 by Saudi Arabia, a result that will not be lost on Palestine who have protested to FIFA about the inclusion of the same ineligible players when they had to play East Timor last month.
Contact the writer of this story at moc.l1734850238labto1734850238ofdlr1734850238owedi1734850238sni@w1734850238ahsra1734850238w.wer1734850238dna1734850238
