SHAH ALAM - After an enthralling spectacle of an opening ceremony followed by the opening match between hosts Qatar and Ecuador last night, the 2022 FIFA World Cup is well underway, set to capture the imagination of the world over the next month.
A brace, which could have easily been a hattrick for Ecuador's veteran forward Enner Valencia handed them a deserved opening day victory over the hosts, which puts them in a favourable position in Group A, which includes the Netherlands and African champions Senegal, who face each other tonight.
Already, social media has been rife with debate over the first video-assisted review (VAR) decision, which saw Valencia's third-minute goal disallowed for a controversial offside decision, which saw the referee cancel the goal decision after video replay showed Michael Estrada's right foot swing just inches offside.
Harsh as the decision may have seemed, 12 minutes later Ecuador received redemption when they were awarded a penalty, which 33-year-old Fenerbahce striker Valencia stepped up and made no mistake from the spot for his fourth-ever World Cup goal, and in the 31st minute, from an Angelo Preciado cross into the area, Valencia again found the back of the net.
Tonight sees perennial favourites England take on Iran in the opening Group B match, which will be previewed on The Footy Forum @ Sinar Daily with host Rizal Hasim and guests Datuk Ong Kim Swee and Amin Fuad.
A brace, which could have easily been a hattrick for Ecuador's veteran forward Enner Valencia handed them a deserved opening day victory over the hosts, which puts them in a favourable position in Group A, which includes the Netherlands and African champions Senegal, who face each other tonight.
Already, social media has been rife with debate over the first video-assisted review (VAR) decision, which saw Valencia's third-minute goal disallowed for a controversial offside decision, which saw the referee cancel the goal decision after video replay showed Michael Estrada's right foot swing just inches offside.
Harsh as the decision may have seemed, 12 minutes later Ecuador received redemption when they were awarded a penalty, which 33-year-old Fenerbahce striker Valencia stepped up and made no mistake from the spot for his fourth-ever World Cup goal, and in the 31st minute, from an Angelo Preciado cross into the area, Valencia again found the back of the net.
Tonight sees perennial favourites England take on Iran in the opening Group B match, which will be previewed on The Footy Forum @ Sinar Daily with host Rizal Hasim and guests Datuk Ong Kim Swee and Amin Fuad.