Netherlands vs Qatar: 2022 World Cup, Group Stage Match Preview and Dream11 Predictions

Netherlands vs Qatar is next as Netherlands will secure passage into the last 16 of the World Cup by avoiding defeat against Qatar.

Match Details:

• Location: Al Khor, Qatar
• Stadium: Al Bayt Stadium
• Date: Tuesday 29 November
• Kick-off Time: 8:30 PM IST
• Watch: Sports 18/HD, Jio Cinema App

Netherlands vs Qatar: Match Preview:

With almost 12 years to prepare, the Maroons tried to put themselves in a position to be an inspirational underdog at their World Cup.

That has not proven to be the case, with defeats against Ecuador and Senegal seeing them become the first host nation ever to be eliminated after two games of a World Cup tournament.

Qatar still have one more match to go, though, and arguably the most glamorous one as they prepare to take on the Netherlands in their final outing.

Felix Sanchez's men will not just want to claim a morale-boosting big scalp to go out on a high but will also be keen to avoid defeat as no host nation have ever lost as many as three matches at a World Cup.

The Netherlands topped the group after matchday two, but only just, after an uninspiring 1-1 draw against Ecuador that kept them above La Tri on goal difference, and a point ahead of third-placed Senegal.

Louis van Gaal's side will go through if they avoid defeat on Tuesday and have history on their side as only in 1978 (versus Scotland) have the Netherlands lost their final group match at the World Cup (excluding second group phases), winning four and drawing three.

The experienced coach has acknowledged his team are yet to get going in Qatar, saying on Friday: "If we want to become world champions, we need to improve a lot, because the quality of the opponents we have yet to face is at a much higher level."

A 2-0 win against Senegal in their opener felt somewhat fortunate, while they had to rely on the woodwork to prevent Ecuador from coming back from a goal down to beat them.

While Qatar are not one of those higher-quality opponents Van Gaal will have been referring to, the Dutch will need to ensure they are on their game at Al Bayt Stadium.

Speaking after defeat to Senegal on Friday, Sanchez said: "We intend to be competitive . We cannot miss a chance like this to play against the Netherlands, so our plan, the goal is to play a good game."

They could gain hope from the fact that the host country have won their final group match in five of the last six World Cups (including both Japan and South Korea as joint-hosts in 2002), with Russia losing 3-0 to Uruguay in 2018 in the other.

Team News:

Netherlands:

Van Gaal has been easing Memphis Depay back into the fold following injury and could make his first tournament start here.

Steven Berghuis may also be called into the starting XI in place of Teun Koopmeiners, while Davy Klaassen is likely to return to the bench.

Qatar:

Qatar were much improved in the second half of their loss to Senegal, and so manager Felix Sanchez could call on some of the names who helped change the game.

Mohammed Muntari, having grabbed their first goal of the tournament, is in line for a start as a reward.

Netherlands vs Qatar: Head to Head:

The two teams will meet for the first time on Tuesday. Netherlands have a 100% record against Asian teams in the World Cup, scoring 11 goals while conceding just once in four games.

Their last Asian opponent at the World Cup was Australia, whom they met in the group stage in 2014. They recorded a 3-2 win in that game. Qatar will be facing a European opponent for the first time in the World Cup.

Predicted Line-ups:

Netherlands Starting 11 (3-4-1-2): Noppert; Timber, Van Dijk, Ake; Dumfries, Berghuis, F. De Jong, Blind; Gakpo; Memphis, Bergwijn

Bench: Bijlow, Pasveer, Frimpong, Malacia, De Ligt, De Vrij, Taylor, Koopmeiners, Klaassen, De Roon, Janssen, Lang, Simons, L. De Jong, Weghorst

Qatar Starting 11 (3-5-2): Barsham; Miguel, Khoukhi, Hassan; Mohammad, Boudiaf, Madibo, Al-Haydos, Ahmed; Afif, Muntari

Bench: Sheeb, Ali, Abdulsallam, Al-Hadhrami, Waad, Salman, Hatem, Assadalla, Kheder, Mashaal, Alaaeldin, Hajri, Ali, Mazeed

NED vs QAT: Dream11 Predictions:

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