Netherlands vs Qatar: Can Netherlands Secure Round Of 16 Spot?
The Netherlands will be seeking to get back to winning ways when they face Qatar in their final group stage match on Tuesday. Qatar, who are the first Arab nation to host a World Cup, have unfortunately become the first team to be eliminated after failing to win their first two games. Although Felix Sanchez’s side did grab a goal against Senegal, it was all in vain as they went on to lose that tie 3-1, and now will have nothing but pride to play for on Tuesday evening.
Meanwhile, Louis van Gaal’s men will be really frustrated with the result from their one-all draw with Ecuador. Despite dominating parts of the match, the Netherlands could not make this count as their South American opponents snatched a stalemate thanks to a goal from Enner Valencia. As such, they come into this match having earned four points, which means they will not secure a spot in the round of 16 unless if they win this tie.
While the Netherlands are the obvious favorites, this World Cup has already seen a couple of major upsets, including Iran beating Wales, Japan besting Germany, and probably the biggest upset of all – Saudi Arabia coming from a goal down to beat Argentina. In addition, a highly favored and hyped up England side were held to a scoreless stalemate by a very determined USMNT side, thus extending the winless streak for the Three Lions against the Stars and Stripes at World Cups.
Additionally, the Netherlands haven’t exactly impressed so far at this year’s World Cup. Although they did beat Senegal 2-0, with young striker Cody Gakpo getting on the score-sheet, it was largely due to some clumsy and shocking errors on the part of Senegal’s Edouard Mendy and Senegal’s overall failure to seize opportunities rather than the Oranje necessarily being the much better side during that contest.
Van Gaal will also need to field his strongest squad here as nothing but a win will guarantee safe passage to the knockout rounds. Hence, he will be hoping that Barcelona’s Memphis Depay is fit in order to be fully involved from the start. With Senegal, who have picked up three points, and Ecuador going head to head in the other Group A match, there will be some pressure on the Netherlands to pick up a resounding victory in order to not just qualify, but to try to finish top of their quartet to get an “easier” pick in the next round.
Qatar, for their part, are playing for pride so they will be free to enjoy their football. Of course, Sanchez’s squad will not want to suffer a humiliating loss in their final group stage match in front of their fans, so the Spanish tactician will likely field a strong squad. That will include goal-scorer Mohammed Muntari, who has forever written his name in the history books as the first player to score for Qatar at a World Cup. The Ghanaian born naturalized Qatari netted a consolation goal for his side during their 3-1 loss to Senegal, and will certainly hope to have another shot at finding the back of the net as his team hopes to bow out with their heads still held high.
Provided all goes according to plan and fans are not witness to an upset that would even potentially eclipse the Saudi Arabia-Argentina result, the Netherlands will not need long to find out who their round of 16 opponents will be, as Group B’s matches featuring the USA, Iran, Wales, and England will also be taking place later in the day on Tuesday.
