World Cup: The air conditioning in the stadium may have affected the Qatar players – Jay Jay Okocha
Former Super Eagles captain Austin Jay-Jay Okocha has suggested that the air conditioning at Al Bayt Stadium, Al Khor, may have affected the Qatari players in Sunday’s defeat by Ecuador.
The former Nigeria international paid tribute to Ecuador after the South American side defeated the host nation in the opening match of the 2022 World Cup.
Okocha said that Ecuador did a professional job at Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor on Sunday evening.
Former Premier League star Enner Valencia scored a brace in the first half to secure all three points from Group A, which also includes teams like Senegal and the Netherlands.
Okocha, who works on editorial assignment at Supersport alongside Michael Owen and Owen Hargreaves, noted that Qatar did not struggle much in their loss.
“They did a professional job. They got the three points…they needed, but in my opinion, Qatar made it a lot easier for them.”
“I don’t know if it was a lot of pressure on them during the first half or maybe the air conditioning affected the players because they are used to playing in the heat.” [but] You have to give credit to Ecuador because it’s not easy to play against the host and they got the job done.”
World Cup: The air conditioning in the stadium may have affected the Qatar players – Jay Jay Okocha
