Qatar will play their second World Cup game this Friday when they welcome AFCON champions Senegal to Al Thumama Stadium.
Venue: Al Thumama Stadium (Doha)
Key Statistics
Qatar didn’t have a shot on target in their opening match against Ecuador.
Qatar are now the first host nation to fail to hit a shot on target in a World Cup match since the USA against Brazil in the round of 16 in 1994.
The hosts have lost just one of their last six games (W4, D1).
Senegal registered 15 shots without scoring last time against the Netherlands – only against Sweden (2002 – 26).
They are without a clean sheet in their last eight World Cup matches.
Head to head
This game will be the first meeting between both nations.
Latest performances in all competitions
Qatar: L-W-W-W-W
Senegal: L-D-W-L-W
Qatar
After making the wrong history of becoming the first host nation to lose their opening World Cup game, Qatar will look to avoid another unwanted history against Senegal when both teams meet in Doha on Friday.
On Sunday, the hosts were beaten 2-0 by an Enner Valencia-inspired Ecuador side, handing them their first taste of defeat in six games (W4, D1). Although the result was poor, the shocking nature of their performance left many fans worried. Qatar failed to register a shot on target all game meaning that Qatar are the first host nation to fail to do so in a World Cup match since the USA against Brazil in the round of 16 in 1994. They could now become the first team since the USA in 2006 to fail to find the target in consecutive World Cup matches if they fail to trouble the Senegal defence in this game.
Manager Félix Sánchez was candid in the aftermath of that loss to Ecuador, suggesting “the responsibility and nerves got the best of us” as he lamented Qatar’s “terrible start”.
With many of the home supporters agreed, leaving the Al Bayt Stadium before that game finished, Sanchez will be desperate for his side to do better here to avoid another embarrassing mass exodus. The boss has vowed he is “completely sure” his team will make supporters much happier this time and will look for his boys to respond accordingly.
Possible Qatar starting line-up
Saad Al Sheeb; Bassam Al-Rawi, Boualem Khoukhi, A. Hasan Fadlalla, Pedro Miguel, Homam Elamin; Hassan Al Haidos, Karim Boudiaf, Abdulaziz Hatem; Akram Afif, Almoez Ali.
Injured: None
Doubtful: None
Suspended: None
Senegal
Despite a strong showing from Senegal last time out, the Netherlands still managed to snatch a 2-0 win over them in their opening game.
The defeat felt bitter as they looked on course to record a crucial point or even snatch a win, given that they recorded q5 shits in target in the game.
But the Netherlands’ first shot on target against them in the 84th minute proved to be the Cody Gakpo strike that broke the deadlock, while Davy Klaassen’s goal, recorded officially at 98:17, was the second latest World Cup strike scored in normal time since 1966. That record was beaten only by Iran’s second goal from the penalty spot in their 6-2 defeat to England.
Manager Aliou Cissé will be hoping his boys find their clinical edge in the absence of Sadio Mane as they attempt to avoid an early exit from this tournament.
The finite nature of the group stage means this is already a ‘must-win’ contest for the AFCON champions, who must win this to stand a chance of going to the next round.
Possible Senegal starting line-up
Edouard Mendy; Moustapha Name, Kalidou Koulibaly, Abdou Diallo, Fodé Ballo; Nampalys Mendy, Idrissa Gueye, Pape Sarr; Krepin Diatta, Boulaye Dia, Ismaïla Sarr.
Injured: None
Doubtful: None
Suspended: None
Odds
| Qatar to win | Draw | Senegal to win | |
| Odds | 6.00 | 3.75 | 1.61 |
| Probability (%) | 16 | 25 | 59 |
Prediction
Qatar 2-2 Senegal
Live Stream
For details, FIFA Qatar World Cup 2022 – TV Broadcast / Live Stream
