World Cup hosts Qatar routed in opener by Ecuador

KABUL (Pajhwok): FIFA World Cup hosts and debutants Qatar have lost to Ecuador in the opening game at a packed Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor.

Ecuadorian skipper Enner Valencia’s double strike saw the Gulf squad suffering a reverse in front of a mammoth crowd on Sunday night.

With the addition of two more goals to his credit, veteran striker Valencia became the leading goal-scorer at World Cups with five.

The reigning Asian champions, Qatar remained under pressure through the opener, which was preceded by a glitzy opening ceremony.

Making history, Qatar has become the first Middle Eastern country to host the biggest soccer tournament. As debutants, losing the opener is another record of sorts for the Arab nation that finished goalless.

Ecuador, the fourth South American team having found their way to this year’s World Cup, made stunning moves right from the word go.

If the winners had not been denied a third-minute goal, Valencia would have completed a hat-trick, according to Pakistani newspaper Dawn.

Earlier, a glitzy opening ceremony was led by actor Morgan Freeman and verses from the Quran were recited by Ghanim Al Muftah, who was born with the rare Caudal Regression Syndrome.

Ahead of kick-off, thousands of fans had gathered to watch the match on a big screen, the BBC reported. Many were turned away before the match got under way.

PAN Monitor/mud