By ARMSTRONG VAS
Doha: The red carpet was rolled out at the Hamad International Airport as a sea of fans waving maroon flags welcomed the victorious Qatar team returning home with the Gulf Cup for the first time in 10 years.
On Wednesday, Qatar stunned hosts Saudi Arabia 2-1 in the final played at King Fahd International Stadium in Riyadh.
The Qatar Airways plane carrying the victorious team was greeted by two fire trucks with a water-canon salute at the airport as the national carrier aircraft slowly moved on the tarmac.
The first two to emerge, and wave out to the crowd were coach Djamel Belmadi and Qatar Football Association (QFA) President, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmad Al Thani.
Next to emerge were captain Bilal Mohammed with the trophy along with senior players Wesam Rizk, Meshal Abdullah and goalkeeper Qassim Burhan.
The rest of the players followed along with other support staff and officials of QFA.
As captain Bilal held aloft the trophy for the fans to have a closer look, the military band swung into action by playing Qatar’s national anthem.
Thereafter, as the players descended from the plane and stepped onto the red carpet they were showered with flower petals by young fans.
Hundreds of fans lined up on both sides of the red carpet and their anxious three-hour wait for their heroes’ arrival at the Ministerial Lounge of the airport ended with euphoria.
The 20-minute welcome ceremony ended with the triumphant team posing for the cameras for a group picture before hoping on to a double-decker, open-top bus painted in Qatari colours and carrying a picture of the winning team.
Meanwhile, goalkeeper Burhan, who won the ‘Golden Glove’ award, dedicated his award to his team-mates.
“I am delighted with the win. It was a team effort. It was against all odds. I am happy for the fans that they had lots to cheer about. Winning the Golden Glove is something special but the team victory ranks high over the personal award,” he said.
Burhan won the tournament’s best goalkeeper award after helping his side to a 2-1 victory over hosts Saudi Arabia in Wednesday’s final. He held off competition from his Saudi counterpart Waleed Abdullah to win the award.
“My team-mates have a hand in the award which I won, they contributed to it,” added the 28-year-old who plays for Al Gharafa in the Qatar Stars League and who was beaten only three times in the tournament.
Burhan’s team-mate Meshal was happy to be part of the winning team and gave full credit to the coach Belmadi for reposing faith in him.
“It’s a wonderful feeling to win the trophy. Ten months back I did not think I would be a member of the winning team. Thanks to my coach (Belmadi) who had full confidence in me and gave me the opportunities to play in the team,” Meshal said.
“I and my team-mates wish to thank all the fans who kept faith in us and who have come here to welcome us,” added the 30-year-old Al Ahli striker.
THE PENINSULA
