Given the consternation in Qatari football about the focus on off-pitch issues by sections of the international media during the World Cup, perhaps it is no surprise that Carlos Queiroz was appointed as the country’s head coach in February. The spiky septuagenarian was last seen on the global stage attacking western journalists for asking non-football questions, actions that went down well in parts of the world, including Doha.
Given the on-pitch disaster that unfolded at the World Cup with three losses in three games, the federation may think they should have appointed him a little earlier. The World Cup spotlight has left Doha but the country’s football struggles have continued. Last month the Qatar Stars League leaders, Al Duhail, made it to the last four of the Asian Champions League, giving themselves a chance to become the country’s first finalist since 2011. Also playing at home, they were thrashed 7-0 by Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal.
