http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vOpPrOby2QQ
Hapless Qatari teenager Fahad Khalfan's amazing Asian
Games blunder, when he managed to miss an open goal from one yard
out, has become the reluctant star of the web after his howler
against Uzbekistan.
"What a Qatarstrophe", screamed British tabloid The Sun.
"This has to go down as one of the worst misses in football
history. Qatar's Fahad Khalfan staked his claim to go down as one
of soccer's biggest blunderers with an appalling effort against
Uzbekistan in the last 16 of the Asian Games."
To add insult to the 18-year-old's injured pride, the newspaper
gleefully replayed the video of the player's moment of horror which
was compounded by the defending champions losing 1-0 in
extra-time.
Khalfan had pounced when Uzbekistan goalkeeper Timur Juraev
air-kicked an attempted clearance.
The Qatari striker then smartly dribbled the ball to the edge of
the goal-line before incredibly stabbing his left-foot shot against
the post, leaving his teammates stunned and the teenager completely
bewildered.
"It's a bad moment for him. He's a young player and he's got to
forget it," said teammate Mohammed Elneel.
"If he thinks about it then he can't keep going in football or
in his life. Every player makes mistakes. This is a big one, but
that's what happens."
Khalfan found some sympathy from The Sun's online readers.
"That shock in the lad's eyes tells whole story," said one
fan.
"To be fair to the lad, he was unable to switch to his right
foot at this speed, but still damn funny ..."
"I bet he will learn to use his right foot from now on," said
another.
"All left foot. He deserved to miss," was a further damning
verdict.
Even the Scottish Daily Record, whose diet of football news
rarely extends beyond Glasgow giants Celtic and Rangers, offered
its verdict.
"'Worst miss ever' costs Qatar place in Asian Games
quarter-finals", said its headline.