Qatar 2022: Netherlands in make or mar battle against host team
Netherlands will enter Tuesday’s Group A contest with tournament hosts Qatar knowing that a win or a draw would see them qualify for the last-16 stage of the 2022 World Cup.
Holland would also be through to the knockout round with a defeat if Ecuador beat Senegal in the section’s other match, but Qatar have already been eliminated, having lost their opening two matches.
Netherlands forward Cody Gakpo celebrates scoring against Ecuador in their World Cup game on November 25, 2022..© Reuters
Netherlands opened their tournament with a 2-0 success over Senegal on November 21, which placed them in a brilliant position to book their spot in the knockout stage heading into their second game with Ecuador.
Cody Gakpo’s second goal of the World Cup saw Louis van Gaal’s side take the lead against Ecuador on Friday, but Enner Valencia came up with a leveller early in the second period, with the two sides sharing the spoils, so Holland still have work to do when it comes to progressing in the competition.
As mentioned, Van Gaal’s side would be through to the round of 16 if they win or draw against Qatar, while a defeat would also see them qualify, providing that Ecuador overcome Senegal.
Netherlands will certainly not want to take any chances when it comes to their progression, but it would be a shock if they were unable to qualify from this position.
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Holland failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup, but they have finished second and third in their last two tournaments, so it would certainly not be a shock to see them advance deep into the competition.
First position in Group A would see them take on the runner-up in Group B, which will be either England, Iran, USA or Wales, with all four sides still battling to qualify for the next round.
Qatar forward Mohammed Muntari scores against Senegal in their World Cup game on November 25, 2022.© Reuters
Qatar, meanwhile, have been eliminated in the group stage, with the host nation losing their opening two matches at the tournament to Ecuador and Senegal.
Felix Sanchez’s side started their Group A campaign with a 2-0 defeat to Ecuador on November 20 before suffering a 3-1 loss to Senegal in their second match of the competition on Friday.
Qatar scored in the 78th minute of their clash with Senegal to halve the deficit, but Aliou Cisse’s side secured all three points when they netted a third in the 84th minute, and the host nation now only have pride to play for in what will be their final game of the 2022 competition.
The Maroons, who have been competing in the finals of a World Cup for the first time, will actually be back in competitive action in January, preparing to take part in the Gulf Cup of Nations.
Qatar have actually never faced Netherlands in an international match, so they will create more history on Tuesday, and it would be some achievement if they managed to pick up a victory at Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor.