Okocha Says Air-condition Affected Qatar Players In World Cup Opener Loss To Ecuador

Okocha Says Air-condition Affected Qatar Players In World Cup Opener Loss To Ecuador

Former Super Eagles captain, Austin Jay-Jay Okocha has suggested that the air conditioner at the Al Bayt Stadium, Al Khor, might have affected the Qatari players in the defeat to Ecuador on Sunday.

The former Nigeria International further hailed Ecuador after the South American side defeated the host nation in the opening game of the 2022 World Cup.

Okocha said that Ecuador did professional job at the Al Bayt Stadium, Al Khor on Sunday evening.

Former Premier League star, Enner Valencia scored a brace in the first half to ensure all three points from Group A which also has the likes of Senegal and The Netherlands.

Okocha, who is on punditry duty for Super Sport alongside Michael Owen and Owen Hargreaves, noted that Qatar did not put up much of a fight in their loss.

“They did a professional job. They got the three points…needed, but in my opinion, Qatar made it a lot easier for them,” he said.

“I don’t know if the pressure was a bit much on them during the first half or maybe the air conditioner might have affected the players because they are used to playing in the heat [but] you have to give credit to Ecuador because it’s not easy to play against the host and they got the job done.”

  Qatar will face Senegal and Netherlands in their second and last group A matches.