World Cup hosts Qatar suffered a defeat against Northern Ireland champions Linfield in a pre-season friendly, less than six months from the tournament getting underway in the Middle East.
Qatar, hosts of this year’s finals which are being held in November and December, had lost just one of their last nine internationals. That was a run of results which had seen them defeat Bulgaria, oust Egypt in a penalty shootout and hold Slovenia to a scoreless draw.
However, they were downed by the Blues in a pre-season clash in Marbella – where both sides have been based over the past week during their training schedules. Belfast-based side Linfield are preparing for their Champions League qualification match against Welsh champions The New Saints.
