Saturday, December 18, 2021
Curiosities at the Arab Cup
Qatar Club dismisses Qatar conquerors
Youcef Belaili is Algeria’s new soccer hero. At the Arab Cup he shoots his country into the final. Ironically against host Qatar, where he plays for the club. Now it is clear: played, because Belaili has to look for a new club. What happened?
Football is played in Qatar. Not just next year at the World Cup, but very current. The Arab Cup is running, the Arab championship. For the world football association FIFA, it is also the test run for the World Cup. It is also the dress rehearsal for the Qatari team, the country is not exactly known for high-class football. As a host, however, you are qualified and can play against the best.
This could be quite a letdown, so the forecast. But at the Arab Cup, Qatar suddenly comes up trumps. There is suddenly football euphoria in the country, the stadiums are well attended. And the team from Spanish trainer Felix Sanchez delivers. It goes to the semi-finals, where Algeria is the opponent. A soccer duel with Algeria, the memory of the 2014 World Cup rings out loud. The DFB team almost got stuck in the quarter-finals, only after extra time did they win 2-1. Not an easy opponent for Qatar. After all, there is no extension. But stoppage time is tough.
In the 59th minute Algeria took the lead through Djamel Eddine Benlamri. In the 90th + 7, however, the host actually manages to equalize. The stadium shakes after Mohammed Muntari’s header. Protests from Algeria, the use of video referees and two yellow cards for Algeria delay the restart. The stoppage time extends immeasurably. Before Algeria suddenly has a great chance of victory: In the 16th minute of stoppage time, the Polish referee Szymon Marciniak decides on a penalty for Algeria after a foul in the penalty area. Mohamed Youcef Belaili steps up, shoots and sinks the ball with the margin. The winning goal falls in the 17th minute of stoppage time. Qatar has to bury the dream of the final.
“I’m a free player now”
While Belaili is becoming a national hero in Algeria, he has made no friends in Qatar. The 29-year-old is well known in the Sheikh State, as he plays for Qatar SC – by the way, together with ex-Bayern star Javi Martinez. Or rather: Belaili played for Qatar SC. The left winger is without a club after the winning goal against Qatar, the club released him. There are indications that they were not particularly pleased with their heroism that their firing was related to it. Qatar SC would have renounced one of their best players. Belaili was always in the starting line-up in the first seven games and scored two goals.
But there are also other interpretations of separation. The club claim Belaili was by no means fired because of his goal against Qatar. Instead, coach Carlos Alos says: “He wants to play in Europe.” Belaili should move to France. Belaili was absent from the squad in the last two league games before the Arab Cup.
His own words do not reveal what happened at his club. He comments soberly on Instagram. The 29-year-old wrote in French: “Thank you Qatar Sport Club for the time I spent with you and a huge thank you to the fans and management. I am now a free player.” The club posts its entry – and comments it even more soberly with the heading: “Termination of the contract of the Algerian professional Youcef Belaili.”
Algeria will meet Tunisia in the final. Maybe Belaili will decide the game again – it would certainly be good for his club search. Incidentally, there is also a happy ending for Qatar: Felix Sanchez’s team takes third place. In the small final against Egypt, the penalty shoot-out decides after no goals have been scored beforehand. A successful dress rehearsal for Qatar – at least in terms of sport. Whether this also applies diplomatically to the Qatar SC remains to be seen soon. That is when Belaili’s new club can actually be found in France.