PREVIEW: FIFA World Cup Group A – Ecuador vs Senegal

FIFA 2022 World Cup

Group A: Ecuador vs Senegal

29 November 2022

Khalifa International Stadium, Al Rayyan, Doha

Kick Off - 17:00 (SA Time)

Match Preview:

It’s going down to the wire in Group A of the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Three teams Netherlands, Ecuador, and Senegal all stand a chance to progress to the second round. Currently, Netherlands and Ecuador are tied on four points and are unbeaten in the group, while Senegal are a point behind. Louis Van Gaal’s men lead the group with a superior fair play record. 

For the Orange, they are almost certain to top the group, as they target a big victory margin against an already eliminated Qatar. The hapless hosts have been the whipping boys in this group, having conceded five goals in two matches.

Ecuador opened the tournament with a 2-0 win over Qatar and followed that up with a hard-fought one-all draw against the Netherlands, with all the goals coming from veteran striker Enner Valencia.

The South Americans are attempting only their second qualification to the knockout phase in their four appearances in the World Cup.

But Senegal need this more, following the disappointment of coming to this tournament without the African Footballer of the year Sadio Mane, who so happens to be one of the poster boys of this World Cup, they have tried to redeem themselves by beating Qatar 3-1 in the second game, after losing the opener 2-0 to the Orange.

The Lions of Teranga need a win against Ecuador to confirm their place in the round of 16.

Team News:

Ecuador

Ecuador are sweating over the availability of their captain and the tournament’s joint-leading goal scorer Valencia, who has been playing with a knee injury since their opening game on 20 November.

The 33-year-old striker was substituted immediately after netting the equalizer against the Netherlands as a precaution. However, coach Gustavo Alfaro confirmed Valencia will be part of the playing squad against Senegal.

“Though Enner (Valencia) has a knee sprain, he has a big heart and he wants to be in every battle for our national team. He wants to be there. And to have the leadership of our captain is essential. We always need that.

“Enner Valencia is an extraordinary player and I would always pick him for the team. We’ll try to have him ready for the upcoming match, if not from the beginning, I hope he can be present at some point,”  said a confident Alfaro.

Senegal

Four years ago, Aliou Cisse’s men found themselves on the wrong side of history. They became the first team to be eliminated from the World Cup due to poor discipline, after being level on points with Japan. Fast forward to this year’s edition and Cisse feels their fate is now in their own hands.

“Losing will send us back home, we don’t want to think about that. The scenario is clear. We knew in 2018 we were looking for a draw when maybe the points would play in our favour but this isn't the case now,” said Cisse.

Players to watch

Enner Valencia

Age: 33

Club: Fenerbahçe (Turkey)   

In just two World Cups, Enner Valencia has scored six goals for Ecuador, the three-goal tally in this tournament has added to the three goals that he scored in the 2014 edition. Unfortunately, they finished third in that tournament and could not get out of the group stages.

A former Everton striker and Ecuador’s all-time leading goal scorer with 38 goals, some very interesting stats for a player who was known more as a winger and wing-back in the earlier days than a striker.

He came to this tournament already fired up as the current top goal-scorer with 14 goals in the Turkish Super Lig. His club Fenerbahçe are two points clear at the top after only 13 matches.

Idrissa Gueye

Age: 33

Club: Everton

The absence of Mane in this tournament has left a big void in the Senegal attack, but the team is not short on leadership. One of those stand-out leaders is former Paris St Germain midfield workhorse, Idrissa Gueye.

Described by many as the heartbeat of this special and golden generation of Senegal that lifted a maiden Africa Cup of Nations title in Cameroon this year, Gueye is not your average defensive midfielder.

The 33-year-old is a man for the big occasion. He comes through as a deep-lying playmaker and excels in screening in front of the defence and also plays in an advanced position when required by both club and country.  Everton can count themselves lucky to have been able to get him back.