Ikoli Victor
Doha
The World Cup has returned after a four-year absence. The FIFA World Cup officially begins today (Sunday) when Qatar take on Ecuador in a Group A match. The game begins at 7pm at the 60,000-capacity Al Bayt Stadium which will also host one of the semi-final games.
Qatar and Ecuador have previously met three times, with all three meetings taking place in Qatar; their head-to-head record is evenly balanced, with one win each and one draw (six goals each).
Qatar, the only Arab country to be hosting the tournament, is participating in their first FIFA World Cup. They will do their best to move past the first round.
South Africa, which hosted the event in 2010, is the only host nation to be eliminated in the first round of a FIFA World Cup.
The last four opening matches of a FIFA World Cup have resulted in 17 goals, an average of 4.25 per game. This is the first time the tournament has begun on a Sunday since 1982, when Belgium defeated holders Argentina 1-0 in Barcelona.
Senegal was the last FIFA World Cup debutant to win their first game, defeating defending champions France 1-0 in the 2002 edition.
Qatar have won all three of their previous matches at the Al Bayt Stadium, with a combined score of 9-0. Ecuador’s best World Cup performance to date came in 2006, when they reached the round of 16. That tournament was the only time they won their first group match, defeating Poland 2-0.
Qatar will rely on striker Almoez Ali, who led the Maroons to victory in the 2019 AFC Asian Cup, scoring nine goals (from ten shots on target) in seven games. It’s the most a player has ever scored in a single tournament. In a game that is expected to be fiercely contested, Qatar captain Hassan Al Haydos will be the driving force in the middle of the back.
Ecuador have more well-known players, including Premier League midfielder Moises Caicedo and veteran striker Enner Valencia.
According to the current FIFA rankings, Ecuador is ranked 44th and Qatar ranked 50th. Both teams will go into the game knowing that a win will put them in a better position to face the two other illustrious sides, the Netherlands and Senegal.
Qatar coach Felix Sanchez stated that the opening match will be memorable for the players. "It’s a very important day for us. This is a historic moment, a moment of happiness for us.”
"It’s an extraordinary day like no other. We have made such a huge effort in this country. We are all devoted for this World Cup and have invested so much,” he said.
Sanchez said, "I hope it’s a great party where we can enjoy football and I hope everyone from all countries in the world, together, can enjoy this experience. I’m happy that we are the ones kicking off this competition.”
The coach exuded confidence ahead of the biggest game of his career. His team, he said, is highly motivated and optimistic about their chances.
"We kept calm, we will try to put on a good show and be competitive. We have to be realistic about the possibilities, but we have to do well.”
Spaniard Sanchez, 46, has been in charge of Qatar’s national team since 2015. Despite the odds, he believes Qatar will compete well against the Netherlands, Senegal, and Ecuador.
"It’s three games, and we know the level of our opponents. Due to their history, their individual talent, where they play, they are ahead of us. On paper, they should get the three points. Maybe they count on the three points already.
"But we are here to show we can be a competitive team. We will bring our ‘A game’ and try to get good results that will bring so much joy.”
The opening match will be officiated by Italian Daniele Orsato, considered one of the best in the business. He was in charge of the Champions League final between Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich in 2020. Fellow Italians Ciro Carbone will be Assistant Referee 1 and Alessandro Giallatani will be Assistant Referee 2. The Fourth Official will be Istvan Kovacs of Romania.
Predicted Line ups
Qatar (4-4-2)cColor:> Al Sheeb, Miguel, Al Wari, Salman, Hassan, Ahmed; Hatem, Boudiaf; Al Haydos; Ali, Afif.
Ecuador (4-2-3-1): Dominguez; Preciado, Torres, Hincapie, Estupinan; Gruezo, Caicedo, Cifuentes; Plata, Valencia, Ibarra.