When the other Asian countries are fighting neck-to-neck against stronger opponents, and even causing some of the biggest upsets, Qatar botched awfully in becoming the first team of the World Cup 2022 to see the exit door despite being the host nation.
They first made the headlines for being the first host country to lose the opening game, before becoming the second home nation to crash out of the group stage after South Africa in 2010.
Qatar are the first hosts to make debut at the World Cup since Italy in 1934, but it happened long ago and was only the second edition where Italy were not only potential title contenders, but eventually lifted the trophy at home.
The difference between the Qataris and their Asian counterparts at this World Cup lies in their football tradition and this is why, perhaps, Qatar couldn't bring the same momentum on the biggest show on earth, like they did in the Asian Cup where they are reigning champions.
Japan, South Korea, Saudi Arabia and Iran all had the experience of playing at least five World Cup each, and the first three countries also have records of making it to the second round in the past, but Qatar had none.
The wealthy nation may have all the money to build mega infrastructures for hosting a World Cup, and provide top coaching staffs and training facilities to the players, but couldn't buy the football ethos overnight.
Let's look at the other possible factors behind their poor show in the World Cup so far, and why they failed to live upto expectations of home crowds.
All of their Group A opponents are ahead of them in the latest Fifa rankings, and also have more World Cup experience, but these were not the main reasons on the field.
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They still could have taken inspiration from the Saudis who surprised the football world by reaching the knockouts on debut in 1994.
But as Qatar coach Felix Sanchez said after the first game against Ecuador, their nerves “betrayed” them, and that games at the World Cup were completely different to any other, including the Asian Cup final that was held three years ago.
Taking his own words, why they couldn't deal with the nerves was evident during the game, considering the competition involvements of the players of two teams prior to the World Cup.
Sanchez has all the players home-based, and Qatar Stars League has been on pause since the middle of September to give the national team intensive pre-tournament training camp.
On the other hand, their first two opponents, Ecuador and Senegal have players playing in different leagues in Europe and the ever-improving Major League Soccer.
Experienced Ecuador forward Enner Valencia, who scored all three of his country's goals at the 2014 World Cup, netted both goals in the 2-0 win over Qatar in the tournament opener. He is also top-scorer of ongoing Turkish league playing for Fenerbahce.
Qatar lost to Senegal 3-1 next where the game's top player was Boulaye Dia, who was born and raised in France before plying his trade in Spain and now in Italy. Other scorers - Famara Diedhou and Bamba Dieng - have also been playing in top European leagues.
The players couldn't bond well as a team, and committed individual errors too. They failed to keep any shot on target against Ecuador and even a “better performance” against Senegal was far from enough to clinch a draw. Sanchez too couldn't come up with any tactical astuteness like Saudi Arabia's Herve Renard.
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Saudi Arabian players are also home-based but they didn't stop their league.
Qatar also could track their “ambitious” Arab neighbors as to how they prepared ahead of the World Cup.
Knowing they would face South American champions Argentina, Saudi Arabia played friendly against Colombia, Venezuela and Ecuador from that region this year, while Qatar played only one against Chile, and another against Bolivia got cancelled.
Qatar also couldn't arrange any game against African countries this year, except for a couple of friendlies against Morocco and Ghana's A team.
Same happened with regards to the Gulf state's European opponents.
Saudi Arabia played against the likes of Croatia and Iceland before the World Cup this month, while Qatar's last European opposition were Bulgaria and Slovenia earlier in March.
Before Qatar conclude their debut World Cup campaign against the Netherlands this Tuesday, Sanchez couldn't avail much hope but admit, "We know that it's going to be an even tougher game."
Qatar, ranked 50th, are expected to be beaten by the 8th-ranked Dutch on any given day, but whatever happens on the pitch, their fate is already decided and what they can do only is to limit the damage.
Or better, going by the theme of this tournament of upsets, bow out on a bang against their far more established opponents and register a grand consolation win.
