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NICOSIA – Arab teams have disappointed their hopes at the 2018 World Cup, while the clubs imposed their continental dominance by winning three trophies in four Asian and African competitions, as well as the success of the United Arab Emirates' eyes. here summer in World Cup clubs.
This was the first time since 1990, Tunisia and Saudi Arabia (for the first time since 2006) and Morocco (the first since 1998).
However, none of them managed to defeat the first round and to repeat Algeria 's success at the 2014 FIFA World Cup ™ when "Desert Foxes" became the third Arab team to reach the final prize after Morocco (1986) and Saudi Arabia (1994), but hopes evaporated immediately after the second round, all for consecutive defeats.
The last round was the only exception, the positive results being too late: the only two wins (Saudi Arabia against Egypt, Tunisia against Panama with a score of 2-1) and the only draw (Morocco with Spain 2-2).
While the draw was not welcomed by the Arab representatives of Saudi Arabia and Egypt in Group A alongside Russia and Uruguay hosts, Morocco subsequently by the Spain, Portugal and Iran, Tunisia by Panama, Belgium and England (who reached the semi-finals), but the teams' performances do not reflect the team's achievements. In qualifying.
Salah was the biggest loser of the English Premier League, considering his hopes after a season in which he became one of the biggest names in the world.
However, his shoulder injury in the Champions League final against Real Madrid influenced him and kept him out of the first game that the Pharaohs lost against the Uruguay 0-0 in the 89th minute, as evidenced by the Pharaohs who received three defeats.
In addition to the complications of the injury, Salah found himself at the center of a dialectical and international criticism of images taken with Chechen President Ramzan Kadyrov, as well as organizational problems in places of residence of l & # 39; team. But Egypt scored a positive point with veteran goalkeeper Issam Al-Hadari at age 45, designated as the greatest player in World Cup history.
Saudi Arabia kicked off the World Cup with a stern defeat against Russia (0-5) and a 1-0 win against Uruguay, ahead of a 2-1 win against the United States. Egypt at the end of a disappointing match suspended by sports authorities.
The early defeat was a shock for Saudi officials, who sharply criticized the players and changed the lineup of Argentine coach Juan Antonio Betzi, especially between the three pillars where the team started each match with a different guardian.
Moroccan team Hervé Ronard is the only one to have achieved strong and consistent performances in all three of his matches, but luck prevented him to slip away from Iran. He lost 0-1 in the first round after dominating the routine until he got a friend friendly shot.
And lost to Portugal with a single goal scored by Cristiano Ronaldo after a bend between the Moroccan claiming to confuse Khaled Boutaib and Spain 2-1 on the last lap until the last moment when the 2010 World Champions shot from a corner of the opposite of the balloon.
He estimated that Morocco's early exit was "unfair" and that he had been the victim of critical mistakes, especially in the match against Portugal.
Saudi Arabia also called for the final with a major victory over Panama, the first in 40 years, after losing to England 1 to 2 in the deadly time and against Belgium 2 to 5.
At the time, Tunisian coach Nabil Maalouel had acknowledged that he was "solely responsible for the defeat because I had made human or tactical choices", calling for radical changes to increase Tunisia's chances in the final phase of the World Cup.
"We (Tunisia) have to wait at least two generations to be in shape and have the strength to compete at the highest level."
After the final, Maalouel demanded that he break his contract with the national team to settle in Qatar, Al-Dahil, giving way to fellow Fawzi Benzarti, sacked shortly after his leadership of the African Nations in 2019 and replaced by Frenchman Alain Gires.
In exchange for the disappointment of the World Cup, Tunisia won a great success at the club level with the crown of Esperance as champion of Africa.
In continental competition, three Arab teams have qualified for the semi-finals – besides Algeria's ES Setif, the Egyptians Al-Ahli and Al-Tarji, badociated with a final round that brought Tunisia back on the throne for the first time in seven years.
The third crown of the Trajee in 2018 was later than 1994 and 2011. For its part, Al Ahly failed for the second time in the second to go up the record and the ninth title, after losing the final of 2017 against the Moroccan Wydad Casablanca .
Esperance did not reflect its continental success with a positive result in the FIFA World Cup, finishing only fifth against Al Ain, champion of the United Arab Emirates who surprised and reached the final ahead of losing to Real Madrid 1-4, reiterating the completion of Raja Moroccan, His country in 2013 when he lost to Bayern Munich.
Al-Raja won the African Confederation Cup at the expense of the Congolese Democratic Club Club, crowned for the second time after 2003, a year prior to their merger with the Africa Cup of Nations, as well. from their Spanish coach Juan Carlos Garrido.
The Qataris lost to Iran 's Persepolis, but the Iraqi Air Force continued to dominate the UEFA Cup with a third consecutive title.
The Kuwaiti Air Force won the title three times, but not consecutively (2009, 2012 and 2013). (AFP)
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