It could be over before it even get started for both Qatar and Ecuador in the 22nd edition of the FIFA World Cup as the two underdogs in Group A go head to head in the curtain raiser of the first ever winter months FIFA World Cup.
It’s been well over 150 months since South Africa became the first host nation in the history of the FIFA World Cup not to reach the next round of the competition after failing to qualify from a group of Uruguay, France and Mexico.
The Bafana Bafana finished third, level on points with Mexico but dwarf on goal difference thus, agonizingly missed out on the round of 16 ticket. South Africa had never go past the group stages of the World Cup in their two previous appearances in 1998 and 2002 before hosting the tournament in 2010.
They have also not qualify for any of the three editions that has followed the one they hosted.
It is 2022 and Qatar are set to become the 80th different nation to take part in the World Cup and one thing will be at the top of their mind, and that is avoiding the low recorded by the host country in 2010.
Their quest will not be much easy but it is not mission impossible as they find themselves in the same group as the Netherlands, Senegal and Ecuador.
These are not unbeatable teams but for Qatar, who rank lowest in the Group, winning against these teams will not come cheap.
They kickoff their campaign this evening at the Al Bayt Stadium against Ecuador and both will be looking for the maximum three points as anything else will be a huge blow to their chances of progressing to the next round.
Qatar and Ecuador, tagged the two underdogs in the group as The Netherlands and African Champions, Senegal are favourites to go through but recording three points in your first game gives you the chance to pull off an upset.
Ecuador, relatively above Qatar in the FIFA ranking will be looking to establish their superiority earlier on in the group but the fact that they are the first to play the host nation could really affect their performance and influence the result.
Playing at home, the support Qatar will get in their first game will be staggering and this will not be good for the chances of Ecuador.
The atmosphere and the fans cheering for their teams. The number of fans supporting the host in the stadium is enough to sometimes get to the Ecuadorian players, as it will be as though they are playing against a home side. Which is actually true.
Gustafo Alvaro’s men did pulled some great upset to book their ticket to Qatar as they earned a point each against Brazil and Argentina in the CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying campaign.
Stars to watch
For Qatar, it is always the 26 year old Al Sadd forward, Akram Afif who is already closing in on 100 cap for the national team despite his age.
Afif was instrumental in their winning the Asian Cup in 2019 and a player who has had the avenue to play and gain more experience with his short spell in Europe, he remains Qatar’s best shot at something good this evening.
Ecuador has to be wary.
For Ecuador, Brighton duo of Pervis Estupinian and Moses Caicedo in defence and midfield respectively, while Fenerbahçe’s Enner Valencia is also a man in form having already registered 13 goals and four assists in 12 Turkey Super League games.
33 year old Valencia is the captain as well the Ecuador’s all-time top scorer with 35 goals. Qatar will be a great opportunity to add to his tally as he braces up to lead his country out of the group for the first time since in Germany 2006.
Match details
Venue : Al Bayt Stadium, Al-Kohr, Qatar
Time: 17:00 WAT
Referee: Daniel Orsato (Italy)
Author: Kehinde Hassan Afolabi
