Qatari victory in Asian Cup highlights Gulf crisis

Analysts: Qatari victory in Asian Cup highlights Gulf crisis

Qatar's victory in the Gulf crisis in depth of the Asian Football Cup and the cause of regret among the countries of the blockade, stressing that this achievement will not be without political price.
They predicted, in statements to Monte Carlo International Radio, that Qatar's victory in the heart of the United Arab Emirates, one of the four countries besieged by Doha, would increase hostility between Qatar and its opponents under Saudi control.
Christian Ulrichsen, a researcher at Rice University and expert in the region, said that "the feeling of loss in Abu Dhabi because of the results of the tournament that organized it could result in an escalation of tone against Qatar" .
"The consequences of Qatar's performance in the Asian Cup deepen the division in the Gulf." The Omani and Kuwaiti have celebrated the success of Qatar and publicly denounced the attempt of besieged countries (Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt) to isolate Qatar in the region.
The Qatar Cup Winners' Cup has several factors at different levels, from sporting success to its symbolism and regional politics.
The victory of Qatar in the eyes of some observers, according to the international "Monte Carlo", at the level of "revenge" critics who ridiculed the weakness of the Qatar team in the past and is preparing to host the World Cup in 2022. The world of football is the result of huge spending on the Aspire Academy of Qatar to develop talent: 13 out of 23 players graduated from this school, including the most goals scored, Almoz Ali (9 goals) ).
Following the Qatar blockade, the Qataris were unable to see their country from the stands in the United Arab Emirates and replaced their Omanis. "That did not stop the Qataris from beating Saudi Arabia 2-0, and the UAE with four clean goals, a result that pushed the UAE public to throw Qatar players into empty bottles. Water and shoes! "
"The taste of winning the UAE in their own home was even better than winning the final against Japan and winning the Asian Cup for the first time in history," according to the report.
"Many Qataris celebrated the lifting of four fingers in reference to the countries of the blockade, as well as in the clone of the slogan of the followers of the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt," he said.
James Dorsey, of Singapore's S-Rajartnam International Studies University, said that this victory "proves to Qatar that it can count on itself, no matter what the obstacles."
Simon Chadwick, a professor at the University of Salford, said: "The image and reputation of Qatar have become even better than its opponents, especially in the calm of the Qatar team, despite the ill-treatment that he has suffered on certain occasions ".
"The potential escalation after the Qatar Cup of Qatar could be centered on the organization of the next World Cup," Dorsi said.
"I think Qatar's win will push the UAE and Saudi Arabia, especially to intensify their opposition to the Qatar World Cup organization."
FIFA will decide next month whether to increase the number of teams in the World Cup from 20 to 48 and decide whether neighboring countries will organize matches. Dorsi said that the statement of FIFA President Gianni Infantino, according to which the increase in the number of teams could reduce regional tensions was "very naive". He pointed out that Iraq won the Asian Championship in 2007 and then continued the violence. "Sport and politics are inseparable," said Dorsey.