QATAR – ECUADOR | Sunday 5pm
The curtain rises on the most atypical and controversial World Cup ever. For the first time in history it will be played in the autumn, in a predominantly desert country smaller than Sicily, with an unlikely football tradition and also characterised by the presence of strange ‘fake’ fans – there are real ones too, eh – who will populate the extra-luxury stadiums built especially for the event. Accompanied by a kilometre-long queue of controversy, Qatar 2022 is ready to put on a show: show must go on, as the song (and FIFA too) says. The starting whistle that will officially kick off the World Cup – the second in a row without Italy – that will keep us company until next 18 December is scheduled for 5pm (Italian time) on Sunday 20 November.
At the Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khawr, after the opening ceremony, the opening match between hosts Qatar and Ecuador, valid for Group A, will be staged.
The host nation, qualified by right, has never participated in a World Cup final before. The curiosity to see it at work is not little. Many are wondering whether they can at least be competitive and play for qualification to the round of 16 in a group that includes, in addition to the South Americans, Holland and Senegal. Coached by Spaniard Felix Sanchez, the Al-Annabi (the Browns) are the reigning Asian champions and have been preparing for this historic appointment for years now, facing all kinds of tests in order to raise their level. They have won the last four friendlies, beating Guatemala, Honduras, Panama and Albania in order. Last September, however, they had drawn 2-2 with Chile. Three consecutive draws instead for Gustavo Alfaro’s Ecuador, who finished fourth in the South American group behind Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay, earning a ticket to the Middle East after eight years since their last participation.
It can count on some very interesting players (Bayer Leverkusen’s Hincapié, Estupinan and Brighton’s Caicedo), who will take advantage of the world showcase to further prove themselves. It is surprising, however, that in the last seven friendlies they have not conceded a single goal, but at the same time have only scored two.
Qatar-Ecuador: latest line-up news
Ecuador’s Plata
Felix Sanchez will opt for a five-man defence – and therefore a super buttoned-down form – to try and cover every area of the pitch and close off every line of passing to the opposition. In attack, the top scorer Ali (42 goals to his credit with the national team) will be supported by his colleague Afif. Moving between the midfield and the two centre-forwards, acting as a linking element, will be captain Al Heidos, who should get the better of Ali Asad. For the rest, the Spanish coach seems to have quite clear ideas.
Ecuador recently lost Castillo to injury, who was immediately excluded from the call-up list. At right-back Preciado should get the better of Arboleda despite not being 100 per cent fit, while Plata, Ibarra and former West Ham (now at Fenerbahçe in Turkey) Enner Valencia should play in the trident.
The Prediction
The feeling is that we will not see a spectacular match. Ecuador certainly has more quality and experience than Qatar, but for some time now they have been scoring with the dropper. On the other side they will find a solid team, who will think almost exclusively about covering themselves, in an attempt to bring home at least a point. It is therefore expected to be a match of less than three goals in total, in which the South Americans could win by a narrow margin. Italy’s Orsato, a referee with an easy card, will referee the match: Ecuador are likely to have at least two cautions in the end.
The likely line-up for Qatar-Ecuador
- QATAR (5-3-2): Al-Sheeb; Miguel, Al-Wari, Salman, Hassan, Ahmed; Hatem, Boudiaf, Al-Heidos; Alì, Afif.
- ECUADOR (4-3-3): Domínguez; Preciado, Torres, Hincapié, Estupiñán; Gruezo, Caicedo, Cifuentes; Plata, Valencia, Ibarra.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 0-1
