DOHA —
Thousands of
Morocco fans descended on the streets of Doha to celebrate their
country becoming the first Arab nation to reach the World Cup quarterfinals on
Tuesday.
اضافة اعلان
Despite some minor
trouble outside the stadium, the victory over
Spain became a celebration of
“Arab pride” for supporters from across the region.
Walid Regragui’s
side won 3-0 in a penalty shootout after the match finished goalless following
extra-time.
So many people
packed Doha’s central Souq Waqif market — a traditional gathering point for
World Cup fans — that police sealed it off just before midnight, with thousands
waiting in groups at different entrances.
Copying the
celebration of Moroccan players inside Doha’s Education City Stadium, many fans
waved Palestinian flags, stepping up a political show of solidarity that has
marked this World Cup.
“This is the first
World Cup on Arab territory and we are carrying the Arab flag in this
tournament,” said Yussuf Akram, who waved Moroccan and Palestinian emblems in
the crowded Souq alleys.
Saudis, Qataris,
and Egyptians joined the celebrations, waving their countries’ flags in the
traditional market as police gathered around the edge.
“This is a matter
of pride, we are all happy for Morocco,” said Aysha Bedawi, who came from Cairo
to watch
World Cup matches.
“It does not
matter which team reached this stage, as long as there is one Arab team there
we still have hope.”
Arab teams have
previously reached the last 16 at a World Cup three times — Morocco (1986),
Saudi Arabia (1994), and Algeria (2014).
The prospect of
playing Portugal in a quarterfinal did not worry supporters who chanted “bring
on Ronaldo” outside a TV studio set up in the Souq.
“If Morocco can
beat Spain, who have been world champions, then they can handle Cristiano
Ronaldo,” said Mohamed Benyoub, a Moroccan living in Qatar.
“I cried when the game
finished, I never thought I would see something like this.”
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