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After failing to impress in a 2-0 loss to Ecuador, 2022 World Cup hosts Qatar will look to give fans some cheer when they take on Senegal at Al Thumama Stadium on Friday. Felix Sanchez’s men are desperate to grab something from their second group game, but the bookies see them as underdogs in the encounter with the Lions of Teranga. There are no fresh injury worries in the home team, but all Al Sheeb, Boudiaf, Almoez Ali, and Afif are banned for the match.

The African side, on the other hand, suffered a 2-0 defeat to the Netherlands on Monday, but their display in the opener was anything but poor. Senegal is more of a team than Qatar, and even though Sadio Mane misses the tournament with injury, an away win should be considered. Defender Fode Ballo-Toure is yet another absentee in Aliou Cisse’s team.

Only a win will do for both sides, but realistically, Senegal looks far more likely to get those much-needed three points with Qatar so poor in their defeat against Ecuador.

Showing little in the way of attacking quality, the Qatari defending was hap-hazard at best while their midfield struggled to gain any kind of control with Ecuador dominating in every department.

With Senegal showing plenty of attacking intent against the Dutch, another chastening defeat seems likely for the hosts, with Senegal surely good enough to score at least a couple against a side that could easily go down as the worst and least-popular host nation in history of this great competition. 

Indeed, while Qatar seemed to lack any genuine quality, Senegal boasts an array of players plying their trade in Europe’s top leagues and, while shorn of the considerable talents of Sadio Mane, should still have enough to complete a straight-forward victory against an over-matched opponent.

HIGHLIGHTED PLAYER (KALIDOU KOULIBALY):

Kalidou Koulibaly

Despite being born in Saint-Die-des-Vosges, France on June 20, 1991, Kalidou Koulibaly represents Senegal on the international stage. Koulibaly began his youth career at Saint-Die, but he played for Metz at the start of his career as well.

The left-footed defender continued playing for Grenats at the senior level and it has to be noted that he made 42 appearances in the league for the club before joining Genk in 2012. In 2014 Koulibaly signed a five-year deal with Napoli for a fee of £6.5 million. In August 2014 the Senegal international made his Champions League debut in a 1-1 draw with Athletic Club.

Kalidou Koulibaly is a tall, quick, and physically strong footballer, who is impressive in the air. He is capable of playing as both centers and full back. The Napoli defender made his Senegal debut in September 2015 against Namibia. In 2017 he represented the Lions of Teranga at the Africa Cup of Nations.

HIGHLIGHTED TEAM (SENEGAL):

Senegal

The Senegalese national football team made their first appearance at the Africa Cup of Nations back in 1965, with the team finishing the tournament in fourth place. The Lions of Teranga booked their place at the FIFA World Cup finals in 2002 (for the first time) and they did remarkably well to make it to the quarter-finals of the showpiece tournament in South Korea and Japan.

Senegal defeated Sweden in the last 16, with Henri Camara scoring the winner for the African team in the extra time. The Lions of Teranga have yet to win the African Cup of Nations, but they made it to the final of the tournament in 2002. Senegal faced Cameroon in the title game and they were more than unfortunate to lose the Africa Cup of Nations final on penalties.

Former Liverpool ace El Hadji Diouf is probably the most famous footballer who played for the Senegalese national team. Senegal plays their home games at Stade Leopold Sedar Senghor and the capacity of the venue is 60,000.

Prediction

With both teams losing their opening match, Qatar and Senegal will be hoping for points on the board in their second match. Defeat for either side could mark the end of their campaign should Ecuador and the Netherlands draw.

Qatar has no injury concerns from their opener against Ecuador and has a full squad to choose from. Manager Felix Sanchez could make changes from the team that lost the first game, in the hope he can pick up better performances.

As for Senegal, Edouard Mendy, who made an error leading to Netherlands scoring, should continue in goal. Abdou Diallo and Cheikhou Kouyate went off injured and are doubts, but they should remain on the side should they recover quickly.

Senegal had chances against the Netherlands, whereas Qatar looked susceptible to conceding at every Ecuador attack, so you’d think Senegal would win here.

Senegal to win in this game.