The Netherlands, one of the title contenders, will be put to a tough test by African champions Senegal in their very first match. However, Senegal will be missing their star player Sadio Mane who has been ruled out of the tournament due to a knee injury. Despite this, the Senegal team will give a tough challenge to the Netherlands. Senegal is one of the three African countries to have made it to the quarter-finals. Senegal reached the last eight in 2002. This time the team would like to give its best performance to date. Coach Aliu Cisse states that "I want my players to have the confidence to play without Mane. They have the confidence to say to themselves if France can win, why can't we".
Dutch coach Louis Van Gaal is confident that this time his team will be able to break the magic of the final and win the World Cup trophy for the first time. The team missed out on the trophy three times (1974, 1978, 2010) losing in the final. Whereas in 2014 it was at the third position and in 1998 it was at the fourth position. We don't have the best players in the world in our team, Gaal said. But I believe in planning and strategy. We have players in our team who are capable of executing the coach's strategy. We will make our way to the finals.
Netherlands is invincible for two years: The Netherlands team is invincible for the last 15 matches and two years. His last defeat was against Czech Republic in Euro 2020. The team would like to continue this performance in the World Cup as well. However, this season the players have struggled with injuries and form. Captain Virgil Van Dijk is one of the top defenders in the world. Frankie de Jong and Memphis Pepe, who played for Barcelona, ​​have emerged from minor injuries.
In the absence of veteran player Sadio Mane, the Netherlands, who are in excellent form against Senegal participating in the FIFA World Cup, would like to start their campaign with a win.
The Netherlands, which went 15-match unbeaten under coach Louis van Gaal, failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup in Russia. There is no doubt that this Netherlands team is strong, but when they take to the field on Monday in their Group A match, they will have a win in front of them, but also the challenge to prove that they can compete with Brazil, defending champions France and Argentina. Like are among the contenders for victory. This is van Gaal's third stint as coach and the last time he was in charge was in 2014 when the Netherlands reached the semi-finals.
African champions Senegal, on the other hand, will be missing their veteran player Sadio Mane who has been ruled out of this World Cup due to injury. Van Gaal said, 'We have a good chance to become world champions. There are only a few coaches who have guts to talk like this, but I am saying so. The Netherlands, ranked eighth in the FIFA rankings, has been the runner-up in the 1974, 1978 and 2010 World Cups.
Senegal Squad
Goalkeepers: Edouard Mendy, Alfred Mendy, Seny Dieng
Defenders: Youssouf Sabaly, Abdou Diallo, Kalidou Koulibaly, Fode Ballo-Toure, Pape Abou Cisse, Ismail Jakobs, Formose Mendy
Midfielders: Idrissa Gana Gueye, Cheikhou Kouyate, Nampalys Mendy, Krepin Diatta, Pape Gueye, Pape Matar Sarr, Pathe Ciss, Moustapha Name, Loum Ndiaye
Forwards: Sadio Mane, Ismaila Sarr, Boulaye Dia, Bamba Dieng, Famara Diedhiou, Nicolas Jackson, Iliman Ndiaye
Netherlands Squad
Goalkeepers: Justin Bijlow, Remko Pasveer, Andries Noppert
Defenders: Virgil van Dijk, Nathan Ake, Daley Blind, Jurrien Timber, Denzel Dumfries, Stefan de Vrij, Mathijs de Ligt, Tyrell Malacia, Jeremie Frimpong
Midfielders: Frenkie de Jong, Steven Berghuis, Davy Klaassen, Teun Koopmeiners, Cody Gakpo, Marten de Roon, Kenneth Taylor, Xavi Simons
Forwards: Memphis Depay, Steven Bergwijn, Vincent Janssen, Luuk de Jong, Noa Lang, Wout Weghorst
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