World Cup: Air conditioning in stadium may have affected Qatar players - Jay Jay Okocha

Former Super Eagles captain Austin Jay-Jay Okocha has suggested that Al Bayt Stadium air conditioner Al Khor may have affected the Qatari players in Sunday's loss to Ecuador.

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The former Nigerian international hailed Ecuador again after the South American side beat the host nation in the opening game of the 2022 World Cup.

Okocha said Ecuador did a professional job at Al Bayt Stadium, Al Khor on Sunday night.

Former Premier League star Enner Valencia scored a brace in the first half to secure all three points in Group A, which also includes Senegal and the Netherlands.

Okocha, who is on expert duty for Super Sport alongside Michael Owen and Owen Hargreaves, noted that Qatar didn't fight much in their loss.

“They did a professional job. They got the three points…needed, but in my opinion Qatar made it a lot easier for them,” he said.

"I don't know if there was a bit of pressure on them in the first half or maybe the air conditioning may have affected the players as they are used to playing in the heat [but] you have to give credit to Ecuador because it's not easy to play against the host and they got the job done."