The match, the first ever between the two sides, is without a doubt the biggest game in Group A
Senegal and the Netherlands will head into their opening World Cup fixture high on confidence after a string of promising recent performances.
The Teranga Lions, as Senegal are known, won the African title in February with a penalty shootout win over Egypt.
Netherlands, on the other hand, have notched up recent wins over bitter rivals Belgium as well as topping their European Nations League group.
The match, the first ever between the two sides, is without a doubt the biggest game in Group A which also features Ecuador who defeated hosts Qatar 2-0 in Sunday’s opener.
Everybody had been looking forward to a battle between Liverpool’s defensive colossus, Virgil van Dijk of the Netherlands and his former clubmate Sadio Mane who picked up a leg injury playing for German champions Bayern Munich barely days to the tournament.
“We know that we have lost a great leader but I think that there will be more players that will show themselves and we must be ready,” defender Kalidou Koulibaly said.
Both teams boast of exceptional talent across the park. The Senegalese have the likes of Chelsea’s Koulibaly and RB Leipzig’s Abdou Diallo in defense while Netherlands can look to the talent of van Dijk, Inter Milan’s Stefan de Vrij and Bayern Munich’s Matthijs de Ligt.
In between the sticks, Senegal seemingly have the upper hand with Chelsea’s Edouard Mendy.
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Even though the keeper has struggled for form this season, his international experience far outweighs what the Netherlands offers. Dutch manager Louis van Gaal has yet to settle on his number one, but in the past two matches, he handed Ajax shot-stopper Remko Pasveer his first international caps at the ripe age of 39.
Pape Matar Sarr, a talented footballer with an “excellent work rate” is someone to look out for in the Senegalese midfield with the Oranje counting on Frenkie de Jong and the free-scoring Cody Gakpo, who continues to light up the Dutch Eredivisie with 13 goals and 15 assists in 24 games so far this season.
Even with Mane missing for Senegal, Aliou Cisse still has options in attack with the likes of Boulaye Dia, who is currently on loan to Serie A side Salernitana from Villareal definitely not to be taken lightly.
The Dutch will on the other hand look to a fit again Memphis Depay for goals.
This match kicks off at 7.00pm East African Time.