World Cup hosts Qatar suffer surprise loss to Linfield managed by David Healy in a warm-up match in Marbella
/dnl.eurosport.com/sd/img/placeholder/eurosport_logo_1x1.png){kind=logo}
Published 21/06/2022 at 21:15 GMT
Chris McKee scored the only goal of the game as Irish League champions Linfield shocked World Cup hosts Qatar in Marbella. The national side fielded seven of the players who started in the goalless draw with Slovenia in March. Qatar will play Ecuador, Senegal and the Netherlands in the World Cup this winter.
Qatar team before a frendly game against Slovenia
Image credit: Getty Images
Qatar fell to a shock 1-0 defeat to Irish League champions Linfield as they continue their preparations for hosting this winter’s World Cup.
The hosts fielded seven players who drew 0-0 with Slovenia in March, but they were left frustrated by the Belfast side in Marbella, with striker Chris McKee netting a first-half winner.
Qatar had been unbeaten in nine games – a penalty shootout victory over Egypt in the FIFA Arab Cup the highlight of the run – but were brought crashing down to earth by David Healy’s Linfield.
Linfield - who will play against The New Saints in the Champions League first qualifying round next month – have history against nationals teams having famously played reigning world champions Argentina at Windsor Park in April 1990, losing 1-0 to the visiting side missing Diego Maradona. And in September 2002, the Blues defeated Kenya 1-0 at the Belfast venue.
Qatar will start their 2022 World Cup campaign on November 21 with a match against Ecuador. Their group also features Senegal and the Netherlands.
Scan me
Related Topics
Share this article
Advertisement
Advertisement