Qatar in search of its pride and the revalidation of Mendy.
Qatar disappointed in the premiere of its World Cup, without shooting at goal against Ecuador and so far of the football that asian champion team in 2019, and today Friday has got the opportunity to make up for it and get the 3 points against a Senegal that also lost 0-2 in his debut, which does not have its great star Sadio Mané and the player who was called to be his great talent, Edouard Mendy, arrives pointedly.
After resisting against one of the teams called to fight for important things in Qatar 2022, Senegal missed the points in the goals. Mendy who already at Chelsea, where the Spanish Kepa has taken his place, showed signs of falling, and on the other side an Andries Noppert who agreed with Van Gaal.
And speaking of goalkeepers, if Mendy was singled out, the Qatari Saad Al Sheeb was no less. Crazy exits, insecurity in the blocks and a stupid penalty. From the beginning, it was clear that he was a danger.
The Qatar team coached by the spanish Félix Sánchez did not give the feeling of being the continental champion nor of having been concentrated for weeks to prepare its big day.
Without making calculations to get into the round of 16, the minimum for Qatar is to defend its pride. Do not allow their fans to leave the stadium en masse at half-time, as happened in the opening match, and following the words of their coach, take the surprise victories of Saudi Arabia and Japan as an example.
Probable lineups:
Qatar: Al Sheeb; Pedro Miguel, Al Rawi, Khoukhi, Hassan, Ahmed; Waad, Boudiaf, Hatem; Afif and Almoez Ali.
Senegal: Mendy; Sabaly, Koulibaly, Cisse, Jakobs; Mendy, Gueye, Kouyate; Jackson, Dia, and Sarr.
Referee: Antonio Mateu Lahoz (Spain).
Stadium: Al Thumama.
By Fernando Perez (Football Analyst, Spain)