World is watching Qatar: Iran coach

Qatar, its football administrators are hoping to silence sceptics who have pointed to lack of football pedigree.

DOHA: Iran coach Afshin Ghotbi pleaded with people in Qatar to fill stadiums at the Asian Cup, saying the “world is watching” after the tiny country won the right to host the World Cup in 2022.

Qatar and its football administrators are hoping to silence sceptics who have pointed to a lack of football pedigree. But local people need to start filling stadiums that in most cases have been no more than three-quarters full at the ongoing Asian Cup, said Ghotbi. “The world is watching Qatar to see if they are capable of hosting,” he said. “I think it’s important the seats in the stadiums are full and I encourage people to come to the stadiums and cheer for football, not just Qatar.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 11^th, 2011.