Bayern player Mane is something like the nation’s lucky charm, he shot Senegal with two penalties to triumph in the Africa Cup and participation in the World Cup. Due to a knee injury, the Senegalese have to do without their superstar in Qatar. After days of speculation, the 30-year-old attacker’s World Cup exit was a bitter certainty on Thursday.
At the beginning of the year, Mane had given his country two decisive 911s in the penalty shoot-out against Egypt, first the final victory in the Africa Cup and shortly afterwards the World Cup ticket. National coach Aliou Cisse still wants to surprise in Group A with hosts Qatar and Ecuador, challenging the Netherlands in the first game in the 40,000-seat Al Thumama Stadium in Doha.
FIFA World Cup 2022, Group A
Monday, 5 p.m., live on the ORF live blog
Senegal – Netherlands
Doha, Al Thumama Stadium, SR Sampaio (BRA)
Possible lineups:
Senegal: Mendy – Sabaly, Cisse, Koulibaly, Ballo-Toure – PM Sarr, N. Mendy, I. Gueye – I. Sarr, Dia, Diatta
Netherlands: Noppert – Timber, Van Dijk, Ake – Frimpong, F. De Jong, Koopmeiners, Blind – Gakpo – Bergwijn, Janssen
Senegal as Africa’s hope
“I want them to say to themselves, if France can win, why can’t we,” explained Cisse. That’s the kind of confidence he wants to instill in his players. The mission of the “Lions of Teranga” is clear: reach the knockout phase.
Because four years ago, the African teams in Russia experienced a catastrophic tournament, all five representatives did not get past the group stage. Since then, Senegal around Chelsea defender Kalidou Koulibaly has been considered a beacon of hope, and on paper also has good chances of promotion to the round of 16.
Netherlands and Van Gaal undefeated
The favorites in the first group duel are clearly the Netherlands. “Oranje” is looking to make amends after failing to qualify for the World Cup in 2018. Before that, Bonds coach Louis van Gaal had led his team to third place in Brazil eight years ago. Since his return last summer, the Dutch have been unbeaten in 15 games.
The 71-year-old assessed his squad as follows: “I believe in team building and tactics. And we have players who can implement the tactical plan of the coach.” Addendum: “We can become world champions,” emphasized van Gaal and immediately followed up with a justification in his own way: “At the 2014 World Cup we are third with a team become, which had less quality. So I expect more.”
Senegal strong even without Mane
After three final defeats (1974, 1978 and 2010) “Oranje” hopes for the next chance. However, top performers such as captain Virgil van Dijk are struggling with form fluctuations, the two Barca professionals Frenkie de Jong and Memphis Depay recently with injuries.
The fact that Senegal will play without Mane should not be a reason for the Dutch to underestimate the African champions. “Senegal have good players and very strong strikers, even without Mane. It’s going to be very difficult,” said defender Nathan Ake.
