GWT: World Cup - Group A (Netherlands and Senegal Advance)

[bluesfan94]

Four days from the opening kick off. Netherlands are the prohibitive favorite in this group, although their attack and goalkeeping is perhaps lacking. Qatar hopes to continue a tradition of strong showings by host nations, despite being in the first World Cup. Senegal was a potential dark horse in this World Cup, with Sadio Mane and Kalidou Koulibaly leading the team; however, Mane was forced to pull out of the tournament with an injury he suffered while playing for Bayern Munich in the lead up to the World Cup. Ecuador, meanwhile, has a lot of young talent despite being captained by Enner Valencia.

Key Players: Moises Caicedo (Ecuador), Enner Valencia (Ecuador), Virgil van Dijk (Netherlands), Frenkie De Jong (Netherlands), Almoez Ali (Qatar), Hassan Al-Haydos (Qatar), Idrissa Gueye (Senegal), Kalidou Koulibaly (Senegal)

Home	Away	Time and Date (CST)	Venue
Qatar	Ecuador	Sun., Nov. 20, 10:00 AM	Al Bayt Stadium
Senegal	Netherlands	Mon., Nov. 20, 10:00 AM	Al Thumama Stadium
Qatar	Senegal	Fri., Nov. 25, 7:00 AM	Al Thumama Stadium
Netherlands	Ecuador	Fri., Nov. 25, 10:00 AM	Khalifa International Stadium
Netherlands	Qatar	Tue., Nov. 29, 9:00 AM	Al Bayt Stadium
Ecuador	Senegal	Tue., Nov. 29, 9:00 AM	Khalifa International Stadium

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[robertmac43]

I have this group as:

1. Netherlands
2. Ecuador
3. Senegal
4. Qatar.

Too many Brighton players on Ecuador to not give them second place. Plus Mane is likely injured for the first couple of games and that will be a major problem for Senegal's attacking system.

 

[Duchene2MacKinnon]

I have this group as:

1. Netherlands
2. Ecuador
3. Senegal
4. Qatar.

Too many Brighton players on Ecuador to not give them second place. Plus Mane is likely injured for the first couple of games and that will be a major problem for Senegal's attacking system.

I have the same but you can even swap 1/2 and it’s just as probably imo.

 

[gary69]

Qatar will probably get some ref help, although I hope it's quite not at level to what South Korea got in their home tournament in 2002. I'd bet Qatar gets at least one penalty in the opening match, and Ecuador should be very careful with their tackles.

Any candidates for this year's Byron Moreno? (Ironically he is from Ecuador).

Interesting to see who the match ref will be, i don't it will be from Europe (if the odds are the final ref will be European), nor female. Could be one from South Africa, since Qatar has naturalized players with that background. But I'd guess it will from Asia and as a secondary choice from Africa. We will find out tomorrow (Thursday).

 

[Tuggy]

I've got Netherlands and Senegal.

The only lock I see is Netherlands. I could see any of the other 3 teams grabbing second. It's likely a tossup between Senegal and Ecuador, but I wouldn't count out Qatar. Home advantage and host nations tend to advance from the Group Stage. If they win that first match against Ecuador, then all bets are off.

 

[Savant]

Netherlands and Ecuador unless Mane is 100%

 

[robertmac43]

Netherlands and Ecuador unless Mane is 100%

I think its confirmed he will miss the first game. The second and third are up in the air.

 

[Savant]

I think its confirmed he will miss the first game. The second and third are up in the air.

That did not look like a one game injury to me. At the least he is going to be rushing back

 

[robertmac43]

That did not look like a one game injury to me. At the least he is going to be rushing back

Well there goes that one game theory:

 

[Moncherry]

I don't think Senegal needs Mane to beat out Ecuador and Qatar.

 

[Savant]

I don't think Senegal needs Mane to beat out Ecuador and Qatar.

Ecuador is good man. I think they are pretty underrated

 

[Jussi]

Ecuador is good man. I think they are pretty underrated

 

[Wee Baby Seamus]

I had Senegal going through their group in 2018 and they let me down. Picking Ecuador to join the Netherlands here

 

[Duchene2MacKinnon]

I think Ecuador can win their group tbh

 

[cgf]

I don't think Senegal needs Mane to beat out Ecuador and Qatar.

Ecuador are a very solid team, and their youth is coming into this tourney in strong form.

I think Ecuador can win their group tbh

I can see that. I've got them coming 2nd, but wouldn't be shocked if they topped the group.

 

[gary69]

Surprised that Orsato was selected as the ref for the opening match. It certainly should clear most doubts of any corruption in favour of Qatar, but unfortunately it almost certainly robs him a chance of being the WC final ref.

Probably favours Ecuador's chances of winning the match.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

1. Netherlands
2. Senegal
3. Ecuador
4. Qatar

Points will be hard fought in this group, but I’m not predicting any surprises.

 

[Venkman]

Netherlands and Ecuador to advance.

 

[member 305909]

If Qatar really wins today's match there will be people saying that they really bought off their opponents even though it's total nonsense.

Having said that there are some matches in the world cup history which people said were fixed.

Argentina-Peru in 1978 and Brazil-Norway in 1998.

 

[IamNotADancer]

I have consciously seen every World Cup since 86 and I simply can't remember an opening match I was less interested in.

 

[robertmac43]

What is this? lol

 

[Panteras]

I think some people sleeping on Ecuador.
I actually got them as a dark horse candidate to make it all the way to the quarterfinals given that group B ain’t all that either. They could easily finish first or second in this group and knock out whoever they face from group B.

 

[robertmac43]

I think some people sleeping on Ecuador.
I actually got them as a dark horse candidate to make it all the way to the quarterfinals given that group B ain’t all that either. They could easily finish first or second in this group and knock out whoever they face from group B.

The issue is they cannot score. What is it, 6 games now without a goal. They can be tough to break down and grind out results though which will help in the group stage.

 

[cgf]

The issue is they cannot score. What is it, 6 games now without a goal. They can be tough to break down and grind out results though which will help in the group stage.

Yeah, that's been my big hang up about putting much on them...but the swiss have shown that being unable to score isn't always a problem if you can defend well enough. And it's easier to bring together a well-organized defense than a fluid-attack with the limited time NTs have to gel.

 

[Duchene2MacKinnon]

Pedro Miguel starts for qatar …. Totally believe