A tale of two headers, I told myself. From joy to despair in two minutes. The ways of football are many. The final minutes of a match hide beside them innumerable surprises, twists and turns. They may or may not spring out all of a sudden but when they do, they bring cheer and misery along with it.
What happened at the King Fahd International Stadium on Wednesday night was etched clearly on Jose Peseiro's face. Minutes ago, the Saudi national team's coach was in seventh heaven as Hamad al-Montashari's goal in the dying minutes of extra time took the Saudis one step closer to South Africa. And then came the stunner. With the Saudis still in the celebratory mood, they failed to defend a Bahraini corner and unmarked Ismail Abdul Latif headed in the equaliser to silence the home crowd and leave the Saudi players stunned and paralysed.
If complacency played a part in the final goal, Bahrain’s first goal was a classic example of poor defending. Abdullah Omar’s ball into the area was allowed through by three defenders and Jaycee John was left waiting at the far post to flick it in. A match that could have been a well-fought victory for the Falcons, ended in utter disappointment.
As for the Bahrainis it was the perfect reward for their never-give-up attitude which has seen them through many famous battles with more illustrious sides. They can look forward to repeating this performance against New Zealand in the Asia-Oceania play-off, which decides who gets the ticket to South Africa.
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
-Will Ronaldo and Kaka shine at Madrid?
-Will Manchester United succeed without Ronaldo?
-Will Ibrahimovic form a good partnership with Messi and Henry?
-Will Portugal and France miss the flight to South Africa?
-Will Real Madrid overtake Barcelona?
-Where is Ribery off to?
-Will England win the World Cup?
-Will Owen return to the national team?
-Who will win the Champions League?
-Will Barca be world champions as well?
-Will Maradona be fired?
A war called football.....
Winning or losing doesn't matter a lot;
but when it comes to football,
that's what we think about.
It's a matter of life and death-
No! its so much more
Every kick, every goal, every blade of grass
we play till our feet get sore.
I hope you know
that you can't ask for any rest;
You'll get it when you deserve it
and that's after beating the best
Monday, September 7, 2009
Twenty years have passed since a Qatari club last lifted the AFC Champions League title. No one has come close to emulating that triumph ever since. But Umm Salal has changed all that in 2009. With an intelligent coach at the helm and gritty determination instilled in the team, they knocked out the champions of Iran, UAE and Saudi Arabia to find themselves a place in the quarterfinals of Asia’s premier club competition. And they don’t look like they have finished. The team has clearly benefitted from the right selection of players. Qatari football fans can dream of yet another continental title.
This year's revamped Qatar Stars League has brought many changes to the way the game is played and viewed in the country. But there are some areas where there is still room for improvement. One such case is that of fan support.
High-voltage derbies between Rayyan, Gharafa and Sadd have brought large numbers to the stadiums while most others have not. Clubs should take a leaf out of Al-Khor's book. They have been able to build up a considerably strong fan base in the northern city. I hope such initiatives will be repeated next year too. Fans should come to the stadium to enjoy the match and not for airline tickets and shopping vouchers.
Foriegn journalists believe that Qatari football is all about star-studded teams and empty stadiums. It will take a lot of hardwork on the side of the authorities to change such stereotypes.