A clash between Qatar and Senegal as both teams chase their first points is slated for Friday, at the Al Thumama stadium at exactly 13:00GMT.
The two sides lost 2-0 each in their opening game and will focus more on this crucial encounter to restart their campaign.
The hosts kick-started the tournament with a loss against Ecuador who beat them 2-0 courtesy Enner Valencia’s double. While that made the hosts the first to lose their opening match, they were also in the bad book of records to have not registered a single shot on target.
Qatar continued to be predicted as one of the first teams to leave the competition but the fixture hands them a lifeline that could be utilized as they battle the disappointed African champions.
While comparing Qatar’s first show to theirs, it is easy to say Senegal are favourites going into this tie as the 2002 quarterfinalists presented their previous opponents with questions to answer.
Despite Senegal’s confidence in surging forward and excellence in distorting the flow of the Netherlands, they conceded twice after 80 minutes to suffer a 2-0 defeat.
FORM GUIDE (LAST FIVE MATCHES)
Qatar’s four-game unbeaten run has ended with their defeat to Ecuador. Senegal are yet to record a win in their last two matches after winning their previous three.
QATAR’S FORM
20 November 2022 Qatar 0-2 Ecuador 2022 World Cup Group A
9 November 2022 Qatar 1–0 Albania Friendly
5 November 2022 Qatar 2–1 Panama Friendly
27 October 2022 Qatar 1–0 Honduras Friendly
23 October 2022 Qatar 2–0 Guatemala Friendly
SENEGAL’S FORM
21 November 2022 Senegal 0-2 Netherlands 2022 World Cup Group A
27 September Iran 1–1 Senegal Friendly
24 September Bolivia 0–2 Senegal Friendly
7 June 2022 Rwanda 0–1 Senegal 2023 AFCON Qualifier
4 June 2022 Senegal 3–1 Benin 2023 AFCON Qualifier
HEAD TO HEAD
The teams will clash for the very first time in an official match.
TEAM NEWS
QATAR
Felix Sanchez has no injury concerns going into this encounter and may not effect any significant change as compared to their previous lineup. The coach remains confident in his charges.
PREDICTED LINEUP
(3-5-2): Al Sheeb; Khoukhi, Hassan, Miguel; Salman, Ahmed, Al Haydos, Boudiaf, Hatem; Ali, Afif
SENEGAL
Cheikhou Kouyate will be the biggest concern as the Nottingham Forest midfielder was stretchered off during Senegal’s loss to the Netherlands. Abdu Diallo may not return in time after limping off in their previous game. Aliou Cisse would be more courteous but adventurous in the all-important encounter.
PREDICTED LINEUP
(4-3-3): Mendy; Sabaly, Koulibaly, Cisse, Jakobs; I Gueye, N Mendy, P Sarr; I. Sarr, Diatta, Dia