Qatar vs Senegal in the second round of Group A fixtures at the 2022 World Cup is a must-win game for both teams.
Each was beaten in their respective opening game, with Qatar outplayed by a vibrant Ecuador in the tournament’s curtain raiser on Sunday. Senegal, meanhwile, lost against Netherlands the next day.
The World Cup is not yet over for either of these teams. But victory here, in what each will now likely see as their most favourable fixture, is crucial going into the final round of group games.
This is the first time Qatar and Senegal have ever faced each other.
Qatar are fully fit ahead of this one, with no injuries reported after the Ecuador game.
Qatar Starting 11 (3-5-2): Al-Sheeb; Al-Rawi, Khoukhi, A. Hassan; Miguel, Hatem, Al-Haydos, Boudiaf, Ahmed; Afif, Ali
Bench: Y. Hassan, Barsham, Salman, Abulsallam, Al-Hadhrami, Mashaal, Kheder, Mohammad, Madibo, Assadalla, Al-Hajri, Mazeed, Alaaeldin, Waad, Muntari
Cheikhou Kouyate and Abdou Diallo both had to go off injured in Senegal’s opener and could be doubts for this one.
The obvious absence of Sadio Mane, who withdrew from the squad four days before the Netherlands game, is still a bitter blow.
Senegal Starting 11 (4-3-3): E. Mendy; Sabaly, Koulibaly, Cisse, Jakobs; P. Sarr, N. Mendy, I. Gueye; I. Sarr, Dia, Diatta
Bench: S. Dieng, Gomis, Diallo, Kouyate, N’Diaye, F. Mendy, Ballo, Ciss, Name, P. Gueye, M. Ndiaye, I. Ndiaye, Diedhiou, Jackson, B. Dieng
Both countries lost by a 2-0 score-line in the first set of group games. But Senegal played arguably the higher quality opposition and have players proven at a higher club level – even without the loss of talisman and natonal hero Sadio Mane.
Qatar looked poor in their first ever World Cup game and reversal of those fortunes seems unlikely.
Prediction: Qatar 0-1 Senegal
Credit: 90min.com
