‘Host Nation Facing Complete Defeat’ Qatar Trails Netherlands 0-1 at Halftime

Gakpo Scores in 3 Consecutive Matches, Qatar Faces Risk of Three Straight Losses

The Netherlands is leading Qatar. Kakpo, who scored the opening goal, is striking a pose. Photo by EPA Yonhap News [Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Heeyoon] The home team Qatar ended the first half after conceding the first goal to the 'Orange Army' Netherlands.

On the 30th, at the Al Khor Al Bayt Stadium in Qatar, during the final match of Group A in the 2022 Qatar World Cup group stage, Qatar conceded the opening goal in the 26th minute of the first half to Dutch star player Cody Gakpo, ending the first half 0-1. If Qatar loses this match as well, they will record a complete defeat in the World Cup despite being the host nation.

Netherlands, along with Ecuador, currently holds 1 win and 1 draw (4 points). If they defeat Qatar in this match, they will secure a spot in the round of 16 and will determine first or second place depending on the result of the Ecuador-Senegal match happening simultaneously.

Qatar had already been eliminated after losing both their first and second matches. They aimed to earn points against the Netherlands to escape the threat of a complete loss but faced difficulties from the start of the first half.

Netherlands employed a 3-4-1-2 formation. Andries Noppert started as goalkeeper, with Virgil van Dijk, Jurri?n Timber, and Nathan Ak? forming the defensive line. Davy Klaassen, Daley Blind, Frenkie de Jong, Marten de Roon, and Denzel Dumfries managed the midfield, while Cody Gakpo and Memphis Depay led the attack as the two forwards.

The home team Qatar deployed a 5-3-2 tactic. Meshaal Barsham, who played his first World Cup match against Senegal on the 25th, started as goalkeeper. The five-back line consisted of Homam Ahmed, Abdelkarim Hassan, Bualem Khoukhi, Pedro Miguel, and Ismail Mohamed. The midfield was composed of Abdulaziz Hatem, Assim Madibo, and Hassan Al-Haydos. Akram Afif and Almoez Ali started as the two forwards.

Netherlands dominated possession against Qatar and led the game. Amid the one-sided match, the goal came a bit late.

In the 26th minute of the first half, the Dutch attack continued. On the left flank, Blind connected the ball to the center, passing through Depay and Gakpo, and midfielder Klaassen received and advanced with the ball. Klaassen then passed the ball back to Gakpo, who fired a right-footed shot that shook the Qatar goal net.

Gakpo, a 23-year-old forward playing for the prestigious Dutch club PSV Eindhoven, had already scored the opening goals in the first and second matches and proved his skill by scoring the first goal in the third match as well.

Qatar counterattacked, and in the 29th minute of the first half, Mohamed took a right-footed shot, but Noppert blocked it, and the first half ended without Qatar scoring.