There is a school of thought which claims that the first match at the World Cup is the most important. For Qatar and Ecuador, who will open the tournament on Sunday at 19:00, this thesis is as it stands. Primarily due to the composition of the group, which also includes the Netherlands and Senegal. The hosts of the championship, who too ambitiously believe that they will make a big success and a boom in their first appearance on the world stage, know that Ecuador is their most desirable rival on the way to a historic victory. The South American selection is aware that the setback against the Qataris greatly reduces its chances for the knockout stage, and that is why both teams will be chasing victory.The #FIFAWorldCup is here 🤩 Let’s do this! 🇶🇦 🆚 🇪🇨#Qatar2022 | @adidasfootball— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) November 20, 2022 On paper, Qatar is an outsider, but only a slight one. Whoever did not watch this Asian national team in 2019 defeating the very respectable Japanese in the final of the Asian Cup is not even aware of its qualities. And they are concentrated in the backbone of the team, which has not changed since then, in forwards Almoez Ali and Akram Afif, as well as in coach Felix Sanchez, who knows the whole team by heart.Group A – Four continents collide as African champions look to break the mould and reach for gloryThe selection made exclusively of footballers from the domestic championship, whose backbone consists of stars Al Sadd and Al Rayan, made the prelude to the World Cup with four tied victories in friendly matches – Guatemala, Honduras, Panama and Albania. Expect Qatar in a defensive formation with five players in defense, but expect Almoez and Afif to cause problems for the South American team. In 74 appearances for the senior national team, Almoez scored 34 and set up 12 goals, Afif played two more matches, and apart from 21 scored goals, he set up as many as 30 goals.To beer or not to beer, that is the questionThe hosts are hoping for a miracle, the nation believes in them, but they must not forget that their opponents played the best football in the South American qualifiers for the World Cup, after Brazil and Argentina of course. Ecuador’s starting eleven should include around 50 percent of players who play in the top five leagues. According to announcements from Ecuador, coach Gustavo Alfaro should send all his stars to the field. Moises Caicedo will have the main say in the center of the field, Pervis Estupinan will act on the left flank, and Enner Valencia will be the main target of all passes in the opponent’s penalty area.##NAJAVA_MECA_6824777##For a triumph and a big surprise in the opening game of the tournament, they will have to figure out how to unlock the Ecuadorian defense, which has not conceded a goal in six consecutive games, that is, 540 minutes. So, the hosts will play under the spotlights of the magnificent Al Bayt stadium and if they fail to win against Ecuador, they will face a possible fiasco against the Netherlands and Senegal.WORLD CUPSunday, Nov 20th19:00: (3.45) Qatar (3.15) Ecuador (2.25)
