Gulf champions arrive to rapturous Doha welcome

Members of the Qatar football team along with coach Djamel Belmadi, QFA President Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed al-Thani sing the national anthem after landing in Doha yesterday.

By Sports Reporter/Doha

Qatar’s victorious footballers were accorded a rapturous welcome yesterday when they landed in Doha after winning the Gulf Cup in Riyadh on Wednesday.

Qatar defeated hosts Saudi Arabia 2-1 in a keenly contested final to claim the title for the third time – after their triumphs in 1992 and 2004, on both occasions in Doha.

Fans, among them scores of children, waved Qatari flags and cheered the team as they alighted from a special Qatar Airways plane. They interacted with the fans and media and after a brief welcoming ceremony at the airport drove down to the Corniche atop a specially decorated bus.

The players were all smiles after having won the bragging rights as the Gulf champions, a title they will hold on to for at least two years.

Qatar forward Meshaal Abdulla was thrilled at the team’s success.

 “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,” the Al Ahli player said.

He thanked coach Djamel Belmadi for picking him for the tournament.

 “I am grateful to my coach who had full confidence in me and gave me the chance to to play for the team,” said Abdullah.

“I along with my teammates wish to thank all the fans who kept faith in us (team) and who have come here to welcome us,” he added.

Qassim Burhan who won the best goalkeeper award at the Gulf Cup, was particularly happy.

 “I am delighted with the win. It was against all odds. I am happy for the fans that they had a lost to cheer about.  Winning the award is something special but the team victory ranks high over the personal award.”

Meanwhile, congratulations kept pouring in for the team.

Qatar Olympic Committee Secretary General HE Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman al-Thani expressed his happiness at the team’s success and credited it to wise leadership.

HE Sheikh Saoud extended congratulations to HH the Father Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al -Thani, HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al -Thani, HH Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad al-Thani and HH Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad al-Thani and HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad al-Thani.

He expressed hope that the winning of the Gulf Championship would have positive impact on all sports teams representing Qatar.

HE Sheikh Saoud expressed his thanks and appreciation to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for hosting the tournament with great success which “indicates the fraternity between the peoples of the GCC countries.

The Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy also extended its congratulations to the team

“The success of the Qatari team, as well as that of our youth team in winning the Asian U19 title, shows that the country will be entering the forthcoming 2015 AFC Asian Cup in Australia well-prepared and with every chance of further fantastic performances on the pitch,” it said in a statement.

“We are proud to see that Qatar’s hard work in developing a competitive football team has brought these results to the national team.”

The statement added that the success will inspire the entire football community.

“Together with the entire football community in Qatar we are inspired by this victory to continue making progress as the country prepares to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup.”