(MENAFN- Muscat Daily) Muscat- Fans in Oman are disappointed after four Arab teams Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Tunisia and Morocco were eliminated from the FIFA World Cup in the first round itself. The teams' early exit is being attributed to many factors, such as poor coaching and group placements.
The region's favourite, Egypt was the first to crash out losing 1-3 to hosts Russia on June 19. Saudi Arabia and Morocco followed the next day, with losses to Uruguay and Portugal, respectively. Tunisia on June 23 crashed out after being defeated by Belgium.
'It is so sad to see no Arab country making it to the next round. Egypt is a good team and I am disappointed. This is the first time four Arab nations are taking part and I was hoping to see at least two teams advance to the next round. I had high hopes on Egypt,' said Ibrahim al Safti, an Egyptian teacher in Muscat.
Safti blamed coach Hector Cuper for the team's defeats. 'Players like Mohamed Salah and Trezeguet [Mahmoud Ahmed Ibrahim Hassan] are good, but the Argentinian coach did not do a good job. The composition of the team on the ground was not good and something needs to be done about that. I wish they do well in future.'
The last of the Arab teams to exit from the World Cup this year was the North African nation Tunisia. Hot favourites Belgium smashed Tunisia 5-2 on June 23.
Siham Mohammad, a Tunisian working in Oman, said, 'Our team played good but the opponents were stronger. It is sad to see the team exit the World Cup so early but we didn't have good strikers. Our defence too was not good. I am sad but hope my team to play well in future.'
Some feel, one of the strongest Arab teams Morocco, despite being a good team has been unlucky. Their early exit is being attributed to the group they have been placed in. The team had to face strong opponents such as Portugal, Spain and Iran in the group. This was Morocco's first World Cup appearance since 1998.
'Our team is great but the group they are in is too strong. We had to fight it out with Spain, Portugal, and Iran that are very strong teams. We are so disappointed but there is always a next time,' said Abdul Qadeer Mohammad, a Moroccan teacher.
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