Netherlands enter World Cup on hot streak

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This article was published 17/11/2022 (1364 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

It’s been four years in the making — but the wait is almost over. The 2022 World Cup men’s soccer championship begins this weekend in Qatar, the first country in the Middle East to host.

The 32-team ournament stars Sunday and the final match is set for Dec. 18.

The World Cup comprises eight groups of four teams. Every team plays three matches in group-stage play. The top two teams in each group — 16 in all — advance to the knockout stage .

Here’s a look at groups A, B, C and D. On Saturday, we focus on E, F (including Canada), G and H.

GROUP A: Ecuador, Netherlands, Qatar, Senegal

This most unlikely, awkward and controversial World Cup will finally, perhaps briefly, shift from exposé to stadium when tournament hosts Qatar face a stingy Ecuador side on Sunday in Al Khor (10 a.m., all matches on TSN). From there, event organizers will be counting on the reigning Asian Cup champions to move the narrative from human rights to football—a hope that could quickly be extinguished by an opening-day defeat. Qatar desperately needs some early success, both on and off the pitch.

THE FAVOURITES

Netherlands manager Louis van Gaal has demonstrated rare flexibility in switching to a 3-4-3 formation, and the payoff could well be his country’s first World Cup. The Dutch arrive in Qatar unbeaten in 15 matches — an incredible run stretching all the way back to their loss to Czechia at EURO 2020.

THE HEROES

For Qatar, winger Akram Afif is always exciting to watch, and hard-tackling Ecuador midfielder Moises Caicedo has been exceptional for Brighton this season.

THE SURPRISES

Following Caicedo’s example, Ecuador are difficult to play against and tough to break down. They’ve gone six matches without conceding, shutting out each of Mexico, Nigeria and Japan along the way. It’s a style that might just lend itself nicely to tournament football.

THE KEY MATCH

Qatar-Senegal, Nov. 25: Assuming Ecuador lose to the Netherlands later in the day, this showdown in Doha could determine second-place in the group.

THE ABSENTEES

Joao Rojas, Ecuador; Georginio Wijnaldum, Netherlands; Abdullah Al-Ahrak, Qatar

GROUP B: England, Iran, United States, Wales

Write the names of the Group B national teams on separate pieces of paper, fold them up, put them in a hat, close your eyes and pick two. Those could well be the countries emerging from the bracket — or the ones failing to qualify for the round of 16. Or one of each. It’s impossible to say, because this is both the weakest and most unpredictable section of the tournament. And yes, even with England in it. The Three Lions haven’t won since March and were recently relegated from UEFA Nations League A. Wales, meanwhile, have prevailed in just one of their last seven matches, the United States are winless in three, and Iran have two wins total at World Cups.

THE FAVOURITES

Based solely on pedigree, England should be tipped to top the group. But they need to start quickly and with confidence. Striker Harry Kane arrives in Qatar with 8 goals in his last 14 appearances, so at least he looks to be in decent nick. But behind him there are questions in almost every position.

THE HEROES

Borussia Dortmund midfielder Jude Bellingham is England’s form player and, at 19 years of age, their youngest. Porto attacker Mehdi Taremi, who can work as both a striker and winger, scored five goals in the Champions League group stage and has 11 to go along with 7 assists in all competitions.

THE SURPRISES

Iran could make some real noise here. Defensively sound, they can also cause problems on the counter-attack through the likes of Taremi and Feyenoord’s Alireza Jahanbakhsh.

THE KEY MATCH

England-United States, Nov. 25: This Matchday Two tilt could see the loser eliminated early.

THE ABSENTEES

Ben Chilwell, England; Reece James, England; Allahyar Sayyadmanesh, Iran; Omid Ebrahimi, Iran; Miles Robinson, USA

GROUP C: Argentina, Mexico, Poland, Saudi Arabia

“La Scaloneta” has rolled into Qatar, jam-packed with fans, admirers and bandwagon-hoppers along for the ride. There seems to be room for everyone on Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni’s bus, including the best Albiceleste team in some time. Pity it comes so near the end of Lionel Messi’s career. The greatest player in football history has had to wait until age 35 to be part of a group actually capable of winning the sport’s biggest prize. And it’s on him that all eyes will be focussed. Apologies to Robert Lewandowski, Hirving Lozano and Salem Al-Dawsari. They’re merely the chorus. Messi is the showtune.

THE FAVOURITES

Argentina are South American champions, unbeaten in 35 matches and, for the first time in decades, unbeset by pre-World Cup drama. The popular Scaloni has brought remarkable calm to the setup, and for once Messi has a team in which he doesn’t have to overcompensate. Injured midfielder Giovani Lo Celso will be missed, but squad depth means Scaloni has options.

THE HEROES

Messi aside, Inter Milan striker Lautaro Martinez should fill the nets for Argentina. Lewandowski, who averages about a goal per game at Barcelona, needs to replicate that form for Poland. Mexico’s Hirving “Chucky” Lozano is part of Serie A-leading Napoli but only recently broke a one-year scoring drought for El Tri.

THE SURPRISES

Saudi Arabia breezed through qualifying, beating Australia and Japan along the way. Two-time Africa Cup of Nations-winning manager Herve Renard has considerable talent to work with, and the Arabian Falcons are confident they can reach the round of 16.

THE KEY MATCH

Mexico-Poland, Nov. 22: This match will follow the Argentina-Saudi Arabia encounter and represents a chance for the winner to generate some much-needed momentum.

THE ABSENTEES

Giovani Lo Celso, Argentina; Jesus Corona, Mexico; Pawel Dawidowicz, Poland; Jakub Moder, Poland

GROUP D: Australia, Denmark, France, Tunisia

Winning the World Cup is a tough enough task. Defending it? Next to impossible. It’s only ever happened twice — the last time 60 years ago. And in each of the last three tournaments, the reigning champions haven’t even progressed from their groups. France will hope to break that cycle in Qatar, but even their own history isn’t on their side. In 2002, four years after lifting the trophy in Saint-Denis, they failed to win a single match in South Korea/Japan.

THE FAVOURITES

Denmark have defeated France twice in the last five months, most recently in their final match before the World Cup. Having gone all the way to the semi-finals at EURO 2020, they’re aiming, in the words of midfielder Christian Eriksen, to “win the whole damn thing.” Left-back Joakim Maehle starred at the Euros and will have to again, and the Danes have further strength out wide in 22-year-old wingers Mikkel Damsgaard and Andreas Skov Olsen.

THE HEROES

Eriksen is easy to cheer for — both because of his midfield artistry and inspiring return from cardiac arrest only 17 months ago. France forward Kylian Mbappe is the most explosive attacker in the world and will carry his team at this tournament. Australia will count on midfield craftsman Ajdin Hrustic to unlock defenses.

THE SURPRISES

If France do fail to advance, it’ll be because Tunisia took at least a point from their encounter on November 30. The Carthage Eagles play some eye-catching stuff and are marshalled by Aissa Laindouni, who could have represented France internationally.

THE KEY MATCH

Tunisia-Australia, Nov. 26: If there’s to be an upset in the section, it’ll be caused by whichever side prevails in Al Wakrah.

THE ABSENTEES

Paul Pogba, France; N’Golo Kante, France; Presnel Kimpembe, France; Mike Maignan, France; Lucas Digne, France

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