Qatar Vs Ecuador clash flags off 2022 FIFA World Cup on Dstv, Gotv

Ecuador’s coach Gustavo Alfaro steps on the ball as he heads a training session at Essaimer SC in Doha on November 19, 2022 on the eve of the Qatar 2022 World Cup football match between Qatar and Ecuador. (Photo by Raul ARBOLEDA / AFP)

Host country for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Qatar, will take on Ecuador for the opening match of the biggest football tournament at the Al Bayt Stadium today evening.

The match, which will be broadcast live on World Cup Central channel (DStv channel 202 and GOtv channel 31) at 5:00 pm, will kick off a 64-game tournament comprising 32 teams from six continents of the world.

In the last 21 editions of the tournament, the host countries have managed to avoid a loss. The Maroons of Qatar, who are making their debut in the tournament, will be under pressure to maintain that record and become part of that elite group.

Led by renowned coach, Felix Sanchez, the Maroons hope to make a statement against the more seasoned Ecuadorian national team that is participating in the tournament for the fourth time. But, Gustavo Alvaro’s men will be no pushover, as they have kept six consecutive clean sheets since they held Argentina to a 1-1 standoff in March.

The other teams in Group A, Senegal and The Netherlands, will take on each other the following day at the Al Thumama Stadium, Al Khor. The Netherlands, under the tutelage of veteran manager, Louis Van Gaal, is considered one of the tournament’s favourites.

Having failed to qualify for the last edition, the Dutch national team will be keen to remedy that blip in their World Cup history and put the disappointment of the past behind them as they roll out their campaign to possibly lift the coveted trophy for the first time.

The Teranga Lions of Senegal, on the