World Cup 2022 Group A Preview

Hosts Qatar enter the tournament knowing that playing at home greatly boosts their chances. Competing in their first-ever World Cup, the Asian champions have won three, drawn one, and lost two of their last six matches. Five of those matches were actually played in Austria, and one of the defeats was unofficial against the Croatia Under-23 side. Preparations might prove difficult for Qatar, having yet to play a competitive match since 2021. Their best chance of a result comes in the tournament’s first match. Following the opening ceremony, Qatar will seek to impose themselves on their event with a victory against a relatively entertaining but defensively stubborn Ecuadorian side. If they can take three points, they will enter the early afternoon kick-off aiming for at least a draw against a physical yet technically gifted Senegal team. However, they might take more risks if the first match goes badly. In the final match against the Netherlands, they are likely to be under the cosh but will hope to have at least four points from the previous two matches as insurance. If the first two matches have gone well, confidence will be sky-high for the final match, and if the Netherlands are through, they may rest players, which will be to Qatar’s advantage.

South Americans Ecuador come into the World Cup on a solid run, having won two and drawn three of their last five matches. They were also impressive in qualifying, finishing third in the group and scoring as many goals as heavyweights Argentina. In their previous five matches, all friendlies, Ecuador have not conceded a goal. Therefore, they are defensively solid and hard to break down while having form players in attack who can cause havoc. Like Qatar, they too will consider the opening match as their best chance of a victory. They will seek to upset the celebrations by beating the hosts at the tournament’s commencement. If they can do that, they will go into the match against the Netherlands knowing they are facing what are probably the group favourites. Still, with confidence and points in the bag from the opening match, they will look to be defensively stubborn and possibly hit the Dutch on the counter. They will then enter the final match against Senegal, ensuring they have enough points to make qualification possible, even if it comes down to permutations. If the first two games go badly, there will be tremendous pressure to attain a victory against the Senegalese.

African champions Senegal arrive at the tournament in fine fettle, having emerged victorious over Egypt in the Africa Cup of Nations and the World Cup play-off early this year. Their seven matches since then have produced three victories, three draws, and a 4-3 defeat to Zambia. The previous two matches have been friendlies against Bolivia and fellow qualifiers Iran, a win and a draw, respectively. Interestingly, Senegal have been conceding goals, only obtaining two clean sheets during this run. At the tournament, however, they will seek to impose their high-energy physical and technical game on their opponents. Their toughest test on paper comes on the first matchday, with a head-to-head against the Netherlands. Senegal will hope to win this, but you would imagine they will be happy with a point. The next match against the hosts will depend on how Qatar’s first match transpires. If Qatar loses the opening match, their confidence will be low. Senegal will seek to quieten the crowd by punishing the Qataris. If Qatar are flying high, having beaten Ecuador, Senegal might have to deal with a jubilant stadium. Either way, they will believe that they can defeat the hosts. Suppose they enter the final match against Ecuador on a minimum of four points. In that case, they will know that a victory gives them every chance of topping the group. It is a tough-looking match against the Ecuadorians, but Senegal will be confident.

The Netherlands also enter the competition in excellent condition, with six wins and two draws from their eight matches so far in 2022. This run includes two victories over Belgium and two defeats of Wales in their Nations League campaign. They, therefore, qualified for the Finals, which they will now likely host next summer. They were free-scoring, netting fourteen goals in the group, though they only kept two clean sheets (though those did come in their two most recent matches). They will look to impose their attacking intent on Senegal in the first game, though they will know it is likely their most challenging test. If they can attain a point from that game (or better), they will go into the match versus Ecuador confidently. Ecuador, as stated, are a tough nut to crack. Still, the Netherlands will believe they can defeat them with the attacking talent at their disposal. If they have four or even six points after two games, the Netherlands will look to dispose of the hosts in the final match and finish top of the group.