DOHA (AFP) – Qatar became the first World Cup hosts in history to lose their opening match, going down 2-0 to Ecuador on Sunday as football’s showpiece got under way after 12 years of turbulent preparations.
Qatar has spent USD200 billion on a remarkable construction project to host the World Cup after the tiny Gulf state shocked the football world by winning the right to host the tournament in 2010.
A crowd of 67,372 packed into the impressive Al Bayt Stadium, modelled on a traditional Bedouin tent, for the opening ceremony.
South Korean K-pop star Jung Kook headlined the 30-minute spectacle that featured Hollywood star Morgan Freeman giving a message of diversity.
Ghanim Al-Muftah, a Qatari activist for the disabled, born with the rare Caudal Regression Syndrome, appeared with Freeman and stated to the crowd: “Everyone is welcome”.
With FIFA president Gianni Infantino and Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman watching, Qatar’s Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani told the crowd: “We will follow with the whole world, God willing, the great football festival in this open space for human and civilised communication.”
Once the action began, reigning Asian champions Qatar were easily beaten.
Ecuador thought they had made a dream start within three minutes when they silenced the home fans as Enner Valencia headed in, only for the goal to be ruled out by VAR for offside in the build-up.
Thirteen minutes later, Ecuador did take the lead after Valencia dribbled round Qatari goalkeeper Saad Al Sheeb who grabbed his shin and the referee pointed to the spot.
Valencia coolly rolled home the penalty.
Valencia added a second goal to seal Ecuador’s 2-0 win.
Qatar coach Felix Sanchez said: “The atmosphere was one of great expectation. We are sorry that we could not be part of the party, but we knew that this scenario could happen… We will try to learn.”
The Al-Bayt venue is one of an array of new stadiums built for the most expensive World Cup in history.
Excitement has been slow to build but on Sunday police had to close the World Cup fan zone in Doha for a second consecutive night when it became overcrowded, witnesses said.
The FIFA Fan Festival, near the Doha seafront, has a 40,000 capacity and gates were closed with thousands waiting outside.
AFP correspondents saw police pleading with revellers in the dark to move back from the gates but no injuries were reported. Police on horse back were brought out to control crowds.
A Qatar organising committee official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told AFP: “When it’s full, it’s full. We would be criticised if we did not close when it reaches capacity.”
Qatar has predicted that more than one million fans will come to the Gulf state for the month-long tournament that ends on December 18.
