The Netherlands, Qatar and Ecuador, future opponents of the Senegal National Team at the 2022 World Cup, were on deck during this international break. With what balance?
When Senegal was completing its preparation in Austria with a draw against Iran (1-1), two of its opponents had already eased off in this international break, while the third was fighting a final battle to find some certainties. How did their preparations end? As many have observed after the draw, it looks playable, but no gift will be given to Aliou Cissé.
If football owes a World Cup to the Netherlands, we just hope that it will not be for this year 2022, even if the Oranje, after three lost finals and after missing the last edition in Russia, seem really ready for the seek their first star in Qatar. After being surprised and eliminated in the round of 16 of Euro 2020 by the Czech Republic (0-2), Holland has recovered and is now crushing everything in its path.
And this international break has only allowed Virgil van Dijk and his teammates to demonstrate the great form they are in. To complete the loop of an excellent Nations League campaign punctuated by qualification for the Final Four, where they find Hungary, Spain and Italy, the Netherlands brought down Poland (2-0) at Warsaw, then Belgium (1-0) in Amsterdam. Louis van Gaal’s men, Senegal’s first opponents, remain undefeated in their last 15 games (11 wins, 4 draws).
If there is really a meeting that Senegal must prepare very well, it is the one against Qatar. Because it is always difficult to face the host country in the World Cup, even more difficult if this opponent arrives with a “hunger” of victories. It’s simple. If they ended their preparation on Tuesday with an encouraging 2-2 draw against the Chile of Alexis Sánchez and Arturo Vidal, the men of Félix Sánchez Bas are still looking for each other, both in terms of result and content.
Before their setbacks against Croatia U23 (0-3) then ahead of Canada (0-2) in this international break, Qatar remained on three draws. His last victory dates back quite simply to March 26 against Bulgaria (2-1). Since then, it’s four draws and two defeats in six games for only two small goals. It’s weak isn’t it? But let Senegal beware: Qatar has not taken so many years and made so many sacrifices for the organization of this World Cup just to ban short clothes, low cuts, alcohol or drugs. With the support of their home crowd, Al-Annabi will pump themselves up and also want to make a name for themselves on the pitch.
During this international break, La Tri crossed paths with two Asian selections. She came out unbeaten on these two meetings, without however succeeding in concretizing. Byron Castillo’s teammates who, barring a very unlikely turnaround or physical problems, will be present in Qatar, first came up against Hervé Renard’s Saudi Arabia (0-0, then Japan (0-0 ), which frustrated Senegal at the last World Cup. Two opponents qualified for the World Cup.
A very (too!?) mixed record but which will allow Gustavo Costas’ players to arrive in Qatar with some certainty. Especially since they remain in six games without experiencing the slightest defeat since they are difficult to move defensively. Thanks to an airtight defense, the Ecuadorians have only conceded a small goal in their last six outings. On the other hand, the center forward and captain Enner Valencia and his partners do not shine in attack (3 goals in 6 games).
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