Qatar vs Ecuador: World Cup 2022 all set for Sunday kick-off
The 2022 FIFA World Cup is ready to kick off as hosts Qatar prepare to be tested against seasoned Group A opponents Ecuador at the Al Bayt Stadium on Sunday.
Both sides are strong in their defensive play, and with matches against the Netherlands and Senegal looming, a loss here could extinguish any hopes of making it out of the group.
Qatar is a tough team to predict, and although they lack recent competitive experience, they have played a staggering 21 friendlies in the run-up to this year’s World Cup alone.
Their third-place finish at last summer’s Arab Cup will give them a much-needed confidence boost, but they will most likely struggle against a much more seasoned Ecuador and other stronger opponents in Group A.
Felix Sanchez’s Qatar side automatically qualified as World Cup hosts and will be looking to take advantage of home-ground-advantage and the support of their fans to win the match.
The hosts will most likely keep their recent 5-3-2 formation, relying on the experience of Akram Afif and Almoez Alli at the front.
Attacker Ahmed Alaaeldin was injured during a friendly match against Albania last week with an unspecified injury and is not expected start.
Gustavo Alfaro’s Ecuador side qualified for the World Cup by making their return to the finals after an eight-year absence. They did this by finishing fourth in South American CONMEBOL qualifying, conceding just 19 goals at the tournament.
Ecuador have been defensively strong in friendly matches, maintaining six consecutive clean sheets, but concerningly, four of their last five friendlies have finished goalless.
Ecuador will likely opt for a preferred 4-3-3 formation, and all eyes will be on Brighton’s Moises Caicedo. Angel Mena, Jeremy Sarmiento and Ayrton Preciado provide added quality midfield.
Carlos Gruezo may start after attempts to overcome a recent injury.
The first game of Group A takes place on 20 November, with kick-off at 4pm GMT.
