DOHA: The mood in Qatar continued to be jubilant with Qataris and expatriates taking to the streets last evening to congratulate the national team on winning the Gulf Cup finals against Saudi Arabia.
People, who were glued to TV screens across the country during the match, jumped and roared when the final whistle blew with Qatar winning 2-1.
Long queues of people started forming since Wednesday night and continued yesterday on most roads.
The crowds were mostly heading to the Corniche, carrying Qatari flags and honking their cars, adding to an already patriotic atmosphere.
“It was very exciting, I don’t believe it. I was very happy when the whistle blew,” said a young Qatari driver who identified himself as Ahmed on the Corniche and roared his engine in celebration.
“This match was the hardest game of the championships and this is a proud week for all Qataris.”
Some fans watched action at Souq Waqif. Almost all restaurants and cafés had TV screens on their walls for clients, who began arriving about an hour before the match started, eager to secure a good place to watch the match.
Supporters sat chatting with friends, relaxing and sipping coffee. But once the match started, the conversation died down and all eyes turned to the screens.
The initial hush was short-lived and large cheers erupted when a couple of chances at goal were narrowly missed early on.
When Qatar scored, crowds jumped. “I have been supporting Qatar since I was four or five,” said Abdul Aziz, a young Qatari.
“I’m from Qatar so I have to support my team. I have been excited about this match. I believe in this team.
“They have good players, plus they are young. It gives them motivation, being young. “They want to achieve their goals. All of us are supporting the team. It’s nice.”
The cafés were filled with mostly Qataris, cheering on the team.
Ahmed, another Qatari, said the future for the Qatari team is promising as Qatar prepares for FIFA World Cup 2022.
“We have a better generation and we are getting better every year,” he said. “The main sport in Qatar is football and Qatar is hosting the World Cup in a few years. We will make this place go on fire during the game and we will win,” another Qatari shouted in Arabic.
Mohamed Al Emad, a diner at Damascus Café, was not focusing on the screen much.
“I wanted to come to the cafe to eat and hang out with friends. I’m not a football fan. But I’m happy to watch because it is my country and football has taken my country to the global level.”
Francis, a Filipino who works at the cafe, said the outlet was always full when there was a football match, but this final match made the café crowded.
“Expectations were high before the match and grew higher with every minute. Everyone jumped each time the Qatari team had the slightest chance of scoring,” he added.
The Peninsula
