In exclusive statements to Al-Jazeera Net, Mohamed Abu Trika, the former Egyptian and Al-Ahly star and analyst for "BN Sports" channels, praised the "wonderful and dazzling" opening of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, and explained the reasons for Annabi's defeat in the opening match of the World Cup.
The Qatar national team lost to Ecuador 2-0 at Al-Bayt Stadium after the end of the official opening ceremony of the first World Cup in the Arab region and the Middle East, in the presence of the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.
Abu Trika told Al-Jazeera Net after the end of the analytical studio of the match, which was next to the stadium, that "the opening ceremony of the World Cup was wonderful, even dazzling, and that was expected from Qatar, which, after its creativity in the opening of the World Cup, became the best Arab country in organizing."
His Highness the Emir @TamimBinHamad: From Qatar, from Arab countries, we welcome everyone to the World Cup #Mursal_Qatar |
#Qatar_World_Cup_2022 #FIFAWorldCup |
#Qatar2022 pic.twitter.com/zRlPUCfiNp
- Marsal Qatar (@ Marsalqatar) November 20, 2022
He added, "The Qatari team did not perform as expected and was less than everyone's ambition, as evidenced by the fact that it did not carry out serious attacks throughout the match, which made Ecuador dominate the first and second half despite leaving control ineffective for the Qatari team," explaining that "by the lack of correct positioning by most of the players and the fear that dominated." to the players on the field.
Abu Trika added, "(Al-Annabi) was also affected by its players' long-time distancing from official friction in league matches, contenting itself with friendly matches and the many camps that it played. No matter how strong the friction and competition in friendly matches and the multiplicity of external camps, it will not benefit the player like the official matches."