Ecuador and Netherlands eye progress
DOHA: Ecuador or the Netherlands will take a huge step towards the second round of the World Cup if either can force a victory in today’s Group A clash at the Khalifa International Stadium after both sides won their openers in Qatar.
But while Ecuador have set their target of advancing to the round of 16, as they did in Germany in 2006, the Dutch will be looking for a vastly improved performance to back up coach Louis van Gaal’s assertion that they can go on and win the World Cup.
The Netherlands were far from their efficient best in beating African champions Senegal 2-0 in their opening group game on Monday.
Van Gaal was pleased with the three points, and vindication of his surprise decision to hand goalkeeper Andries Noppert an international debut, but did criticise the manner of the victory, as did captain Virgil van Dijk.
“We won but we also know that we can and must do better,” the skipper said.
“Going forward we sometimes tried to force things, and we too often left ourselves exposed to Senegal’s counterattacks. That is an area in which we will need to improve because it is an art that our next opponents, Ecuador, are very good at.
“But I am optimistic because I feel we are going to get better,” Van Dijk added.
Ecuador are confident that Enner Valencia, who got both goals in their 2-0 win over hosts Qatar on Sunday, will be fit to play despite some concerns over a knee sprain.
Goalkeeper Hernan Galindez said Saudi Arabia’s shock win over Argentina on Tuesday proved no team was unbeatable.
“I think that Argentina’s defeat will not be the last surprise of this World Cup,” he added.
The Dutch will likely give Memphis Depay the start after he came off the bench against Senegal for his first match in two months after struggling with a hamstring injury.
FIFA INVESTIGATION
Fifa said it has opened disciplinary proceedings against Ecuador over homophobic chanting by their fans in their World Cup opener.
Ecuador had faced possible expulsion from the tournament after Chile complained they had fielded an ineligible player during the qualifiers.
They were fined and received a points deduction for the next World Cup qualifiers but have been allowed to compete in Qatar.
The player, Byron Castillo, was left out of the squad to avoid further controversy.
At Ecuador’s opening game against Qatar on Sunday, some among their massed ranks of yellow-clad fans sang a homophobic chant against Chileans.
Potential sanctions include playing a match without spectators or a ban on playing in a particular stadium.