2021 AFCON winner’s Senegal, have failed to secure a victory in the ongoing Qatar World Cup, after a two goal to nil edge imposed on her by the Netherlands on Monday, November 21,2022 at the Al Thaumama Stadium.
The contest between the two highest-ranked teams in the group looked to be heading, for a drab goalless draw until Gakpo rose to glance home Frenkie De Jong’s floated ball into the area ahead of Edouard Mendy.
Substitute Davy Klaassen exploited the poor and inappropriate play style from for the boys of coach Aliou Cisse, to hit goal number for her first three points.
Senegal looked relatively toothless in attack in the absence of their talisman and top scorer Sadio Mane, ruled out of the tournament after knee surgery.
Ismaila Sarr whipped in a curling effort which Virgil Van Dijk diverted over in the first half, while Pape Gueye forced into debutant goalkeeper Andries Noppert into a late save, but the African champions lacked energy and a cutting edge.
The Netherlands, who welcomed back leading marksman Depay, sidelined for two months with a hamstring injury as a second-half substitute, can now look forward with confidence to Friday’s second game against Ecuador, while Senegal face hosts Qatar on the same day.
By Brian Mboh