Almoez Ali grabbed a hat-trick as Qatar started their build-up to the 2022 World Cup and the 2023 Asian Cup in emphatic fashion, routing minnows Afghanistan 6-0 in a joint qualifying Group E clash in Doha on Thursday (Sep 5).
As expected Qatar put their feet on gas from the get go. They didn’t hold back anything. They wanted to start the qualifiers with a bang. They went on to win the game 6-0 and had control of the ball 80% of the game. After the game Qatar’s Spanish coach said “That being the Asian Cup champions and World Cup hosts a strong start was important to send out a message”.
As far Afghanistan, they had counted themselves out of the game weeks before the game even started. Playing this game was just a formality and more so because they had to. The aim of the team is to get 9 points, meaning losing both games to Qatar and Oman. Losing one game to India as well, in India. That game plan showed in the players body language. Afghanistan came out of the gates with a defeated mindset and attitude. And so they went on to get beaten for 95 consecutive minutes. Even if 11 Ronaldo’s came on the field with that mind set and attitude the result would have been no different.
Winning and losing is part of the game. Losing to big teams are great test that the team can reflect upon. No one expected Afghanistan to win. There is simply too big of a gab between the two teams from a talent stand point, financially, facilities and everything above that money can buy. But lack of fight? No amount of money can buy that and no coach can teach that. That’s the heartbreaking note of this game. Knowing that Afghanistan is going against a big club and they still did not show hustle, fight, passion, courage, pride, and the well to win. Those are things you don’t see on score board and they are free. Up for grabs for anyone that want them. Qatar was fighting for every possession even when they were up 6-0.
The tactics, preparation and player selection can all be questioned and factored into the loss. But they become minor issue when players on the field don’t want to fight to succeed.
WHEN YOU PUT ON THE JERSEY ALONG 11 OTHER MEN, YOU DO NOT GO OUT FIGHTING FOR YOURSELF. YOU DO NOT GO OUT, GIVING EVERYTHING YOU HAVE GOT SO YOU DON’T LOOK BAD. YOU DO, SO YOU DON’T LET YOUR BROTHER PLAYING BESIDE YOU DOWN. YOU PLAY FOR THE MEN STANDING BEISDE YOU.
The game against Qatar was an eye opening game for Afghanistan. In the coming.
© Faisal Shahin
📷 Qatar Football Association
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