Qatar drop coach Bruno Metsu after Asian Cup loss

DOHA // Qatar has fired charismatic football coach Bruno Metsu because of the team's Asian Cup quarter-final loss to Japan.

The desert nation, which will host the World Cup in 2022, was widely expected to hire a big-name coach. A replacement for Metsu, who had a contract through 2014, was expected to be named in the next week.

Metsu has struggled since taking over in 2008 from Uruguayan coach Jorge Fossati. The team missed out on the 2010 World Cup and last year fell in the quarter-final stage at the Gulf Cup.

Metsu, a Frenchman, was praised for guiding his team into the quarter-finals of the Asian Cup last month but also angered fans after his team squandered a 2-1 lead against a 10-man Japan.