Hosts Qatar are the first nation knocked out of the 2022 World Cup but head coach Felix Sanchez was reluctant to call it a failure.
Qatar’s 3-1 loss to Senegal on Friday combined with the 1-1 draw between Ecuador and the Netherlands confirmed the hosts’ fate in Group A.
The West Asian nation fell 2-0 down to the African champions after goals from Boulaye Dia and Famara Diedhiou, but rallied in the final 20 minutes.
Mohammed Muntari pulled a goal back in the 78th minute but Senegal sealed the win with Bamba Dieng’s 84th minute strike.
“I do think we played a good game,” Sanchez told reporters. “When you come here you need to know where you’re coming from.
“If this is a failure and disappointment, that depends on expectations.
“Our goal was to be competitive We’ve been working for so many months to be able to give a good performance. But sometimes the match does not play out as you expect.”
Qatar’s premature exit comes after they became the first host nation to lose their opening game in World Cup history.
It was the small Arab nation’s first-ever World Cup, although expectations were lifted by their 2019 Asian Cup triumph.
“We are aware of how tough this competition is. We wanted to go far but we know we had limitations as a country,” Sanchez added.
“It’s a small country, not a very large population. The local league is not a very competitive one. It’s our first time at the World Cup.
“If we can take part again, that would be great. Its always useful to get more experience.”
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