James Rodriguez suffers horror debut in first match in Qatar after quitting Everton as Al Rayyan are thumped
JAMES RODRIGUEZ had a night to forget as his Al Rayyan debut ended in a drubbing.
The midfielder, 30, made the switch to the Qatar outfit last month after pushing for an Everton exit throughout the summer.
The Colombian was given a big welcome upon his arrival to the Middle East, but his first taste of action did not go according to plan.
Al-Duhail took the lead after just three minutes when Edmilson Junior scored from the penalty spot.
Not too long after Rodriguez was presented with a chance to stamp his influence on the match.
The playmaker had the chance to score with a well placed free-kick.
He could have even created a chance for a team-mate but instead blasted his effort straight at the wall.
That was the only highlight of any note for the former Real Madrid and Everton star.
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Almoez Ali added a second penalty shortly before half-time before Michael Olunga rounded off the 3-0 win for Al-Duhail after the break.
That maintained their 100 percent winning start to the season, with Rodriguez’s Al-Rayyan in sixth place – having won just one of their opening six games.
Rodriguez does have an escape method – Paris St Germain – who will be able to buy him for next to nothing due to PSG chairman Nasser Al-Khelaifi’s close links to Qatar.
But the French giants are unlikely to make a move if Rodriguez’s debut performance is anything to go by.
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