2022 World Cup – Monday 21 November 2022
The BBC were first out the blocks showing live the opening game of the competition and the hour before the first game was unlike any other build-up I’d witnessed for previous World Cups. The first thirty minutes were more akin to a political programme, as the show provided background and context from the awarding of the hosting to Qatar in 2010 whilst also highlighting the issues around the regarding Qatar’s stance on same-sex relationships, its human rights record and treatment of migrant workers. Whilst some will have not favoured the handling of this, I genuinely believe that it was the right thing to do, in continuing to air the issues. To ignore what has and is going on and simply focus on the football as if nothing happened would be trite. Indeed, the Opening Ceremony was not shown on the main BBC1 coverage, an indication that there was a desire no to show what might be considered propaganda. This certainly didn’t feel like a celebration of the game or indeed the tournament to come.
FIFA bangs on about football being for everyone, but as pundit Alex Scott highlighted, Qatar is a venue where not every section of society is welcome.
Group A: Qatar 0 (0) – (2) 2 Ecuador
Scorers: E Valencia (16′ pen, 31′)
Al Bayt Stadium, Al Khor
An inauspicious start for the hosts, not just on, but off the pitch. As the PA announcer tried to whip up the crowd with a countdown to kick-off from 10 to 1, the game started with the crowd not even getting down to a count of four. Not a great start.
Then on the pitch it was evident that Ecuador were too strong from the off. It looked like Enner Valencia had given the South American’s a lead after three minutes, only for VAR to come up with an offside that sums up why this equipment, its use and interpretation are making a farce of the game.
However, it wasn’t long before Valencia and Ecuador had the goal they deserved. Saad Al Sheeb the Qatar ‘keeper who has looked vulnerable in the melee that preceded the disallowed goal, then gave away a penalty just after the quarter of an hour mark, bringing down Valencia. The Fenerbahce forward dusted himself down and calmly slotted home the spot-kick. Ecuador dominated possession and it was no surprise when they scored a second on thirty one minutes, with Valencia beautifully heading home Preciado’s stunning cross. Qatar under the cosh and struggling.
They made it to the break just the two goals down and didn’t concede any further in a very flat second period. Ecuador took their foot off the gas as the game became a training ground stroll and the atmosphere wasn’t helped as many ‘fans’ left at half-time and on the hour mark. At the whistle it was three points to Ecuador and more pain one presumes to come for Qatar with fixtures against Senegal and the Netherlands remaining in the group.
My prediction of a 0-0, well it was truly off the mark – no surprise there given my record down the years!
Group B: England v Iran (Khalifa International Stadium, Al Rayyan)
Qualification route:
England – UEFA Group I winners
Iran – Asian Football Conference (AFC) third round Group A winners
Form (last three games):
14 June (UEFA Nations League A) England 0–4 Hungary [Wolverhampton Wanderers FC, England]
23 September (UEFA Nations League A) Italy 1–0 England [Milan, Italy]
26 September (UEFA Nations League A) England 3–3 Germany [Wembley Stadium]
27 September (Friendly) Iran 1–1 Senegal [Maria Enzersdorf, Austria]
10 November (Friendly) Iran 1–0 Nicaragua [Tehran, Iran]
16 November (Friendly) Iran 0–2 Tunisia [Doha, Qatar]
Preview:
I’m old enough to remember the awful starts that the Three Lions have in the Group stages of major competitions down the years. This on paper is another potential banana skin. The Nations League relegation and fears over the teams defensive capabilities don’t do anything to calm the nerves and therefore it will be interesting to see how England approach this game.
The Iranian squad contains a sprinkling of players from around the European leagues and should not be taken lightly. Those looking for a Premier League link in the Iranian squad can find it with Brentford’s midfielder Saman Ghoddos. Ghoddos was born in Sweden to Iranian parents and made two appearances for them in friendly internationals in 2017 against the Ivory Coast and Slovakia. However, he made the switch to Iran later that year and has been part of the squad since. Additionally there is Carlos Queiroz the Iranian coach who had spells at Manchester United.
Of course my heart wants this to be a comfortable and stress free victory, but my head tells me that this could be a tight one with England nicking a 1-0 win.
Group A: Senegal v Netherlands (Al Thumama Stadium, Doha)
Qualification route:
Senegal – Confederation of African Football (CAF) third round winners
Netherlands – UEFA Group G winners
Form (last three games):
17 July (COSAFA Cup 3rd-place match) Mozambique 1–1 (2–4 p) Senegal [Durban, South Africa]
24 September (Friendly) Bolivia 0–2 Senegal [Orléans, France]
27 September (Friendly) Iran 1–1 Senegal [Maria Enzersdorf, Austria]
14 June (UEFA Nations League) Netherlands 3–2 Wales [Rotterdam, Netherlands]
22 September (UEFA Nations League) Poland 0–2 Netherlands (Warsaw, Poland}
25 September (UEFA Nations League) Netherlands 1–0 Belgium [Amsterdam, Netherlands]
Preview:
Senegal nicknamed the Lions of Teranga are appearing in their third World Cup finals, having reached the Quarter-Finals in 2002 going out to Turkey 1-0 AET but not making it out of the group stages in Russia in 2018. Their squad is littered with players plying their trade in England including Chelsea duo, Edouard Mendy and Kalidou Koulibaly, Idrissa Gueye (Everton), Nampalys Mendy (Leicester City) and Nottingham Forest’s Cheikhou Kouyate. However, the squad were dealt a major blow when Sadio Mane withdrew injured before the tournament started.
The Dutch are a squad packed with stars from across Europe and follow in the tradition of the Oranje sides of yesteryear, who have got to three finals in 1974, 1978 and 2010 but have yet to lift the trophy. The Netherlands could be dark horses in this competition, and I expect them to start off with a victory by a single goal.
Group B: USA v Wales (Ahmad bin Ali Stadium, Al Rayyan)
Qualification route:
USA – Confederation of African Football (CAF) third round winners
Wales – UEFA Group G winners
Form (last three games):
14 June (CONCACAF Nations League) El Salvador 1–1 USA [San Salvador, El Salvador]
23 September (Friendly) Japan 2–0 USA [Dusseldorf, Germany]
27 September (Friendly) Saudi Arabia 0–0 United States [Murcia, Spain]
14 June (UEFA Nations League) Netherlands 3–2 Wales [Rotterdam, Netherlands]
22 September (Nations League) Belgium 2–1 Wales [Brussels, Belgium]
25 September (Nations League) Wales 0–1 Poland [Cardiff, Wales]
Preview:
As a Fulham fan its great to see the Whites represented by the defensive duo of Antonee Robinson and Tim Ream. West London is also represented by Chelsea forward Christian Pulisic, and further representative from the English capital in Arsenal’s goalkeeper Matt Turner. Drawn in with England and Iran as well as Wales, the USA will fancy their chances of progression
The story around Wales centres on their talisman Gareth Bale and the fact that the last time the Welsh qualified was in 1958. As with the USA, Wales also include two Fulham players in their squad, in Harry Wilson and loanee Dan James.
Could be the first draw of the tournament in a cagey encounter.