Qatar 2022, some selections look set to play the role of extras. Here’s the likely least prolific attack in the tournament.
An unusual World Cup. Which, for the first time in history, will be played in late autumn and which, as unfortunately happened four years ago in Russia, will not see reigning European champions Italy among the possible protagonists. It will start in Qatar on Sunday, 20 November. Everything is now ready in the small country that ‘dips’ into the Persian Gulf. The opening match of the 2022 edition of the World Cup will be staged in the brand-new stadium in the city of Al Khawr. The hosts Qatar and Ecuador will take the field. There is a lot of curiosity about the Middle Eastern selection coached by Spaniard Felix Sanchez, who is making his first ever appearance in a World Cup final.
At the throne of Asia in 2019, its aim is to avoid possible embarrassments. It has been preparing for this historic appointment for four years now: it will be complicated to get through the round in a group with Holland, Ecuador and Senegal, but one should never underestimate the host nations, even if they are not very competitive. But who could be one of the worst selections at this World Cup, the one that will score the fewest goals?
Qatar 2022, Saudi Arabia likely to be least prolific team
In reality, there are many trying to avoid this negative record. And Qatar, surprisingly, is not among them. The bookmakers give Sanchez’s men a modicum of confidence: their attack will not do wonders, but there are those who could do worse than them. Costa Rica, for example. The Ticos managed to qualify but are the distant relatives of those who in 2014 left everyone speechless by making it all the way to the semi-finals. Arranged in the same group with Germany and Spain, they will struggle to avoid embarrassment.
Iran, too, is in danger of scoring few goals and is unlikely to avoid last place in the group with England, Wales and the United States. However, they are likely to score a few goals: in front they can count on two centre forwards of some weight such as Taremi (Porto) and Azmoun (Bayer Leverkusen). The prize for the worst attack could go to Saudi Arabia, which looks like the sacrificial victim in a tough grouping with Argentina, Poland and Mexico.
