Kuala Lumpur: Qatar headed into the FIFA World Cup 2022 on home soil with minimal expectations in their maiden participation in the global showpiece.
It proved to be a tough yet rewarding experience for head coach Felix Sanchez's players with expectations soaring that Qatar can be regular qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup.
Group stage results
vs Ecuador 0-2
vs Senegal 1-3
vs Netherlands 0-2
Watched by billions in the opening match of the FIFA World Cup 2022, nerves got the better of Qatar as Enner Valencia opened the scoring for Ecuador just 16 minutes in.
Qatar's net was breached again by Valencia 16 minutes later with the hosts unable to find a way back.
The defeat meant only a win would suffice against Senegal on Matchday Two but despite a much improved performance, the African side were far superior as they registered a 3-1 win.
Mohammed Muntari, however, created history by becoming the first Qatari player to score in a FIFA World Cup Finals match.
With their elimination having already been confirmed following two successive defeats, Qatar went into their final tie against the Netherlands seeking to end their campaign on a high note.
Their spirited performance, however, was not enough to stop a strong Dutch side from registering a 2-0 win.
Their campaign may have ended at the group stage but Qatar will definitely be already planning for another tilt in 2026.
Qatar coach Felix Sanchez said, "We never thought at any time to set a target of reaching the last 16 or the quarter-finals.
"We just wanted to come here and see what we could do. We managed to play two good games against Senegal and the Netherlands. The first game (against Ecuador) we weren't at our usual level and we know that.
"You can use statistics how you want but we need to make our own assessments."
Source: AFC
