Dutch strike late to beat Senegal
Published on: Wednesday, November 23, 2022
By: AFP
Klaassen (left) celebrates after he scored the Netherlands’ second goal.
DOHA: Late goals by Cody Gakpo and Davy Klaassen gave the Netherlands a 2-0 victory over African champions Senegal on Monday as the three-time beaten finalists made their return to the World Cup stage.With Senegal missing injured star man Sadio Mane and the Dutch without their main attacking threat Memphis Depay at kick-off, the Group A encounter in Doha looked set to end in a goalless draw.
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But with just six minutes remaining PSV Eindhoven forward Gakpo got up in front of Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy to head in a floated Frenkie de Jong cross from the left.
Substitute Klaassen then secured the victory deep in injury time, following up to score after Mendy had saved from Depay, who had also come off the bench.
“I always had the feeling we were going to score a goal,” said Van Gaal, who is in his third spell as coach of the national team.
“It was an efficient win but I also thought we were fitter because every two minutes the Senegalese were lying on the ground.
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“So I think it was a well-deserved victory even if I don’t think it was a good match from us.”
The result leaves the Netherlands level at the top of the group with Ecuador, who beat hosts Qatar 2-0 in the tournament’s opening match on Sunday.
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Van Gaal’s side play Ecuador on Friday, while Senegal now face a must-win contest against Qatar.
Senegal saw Bayern Munich superstar Mane—who came second in this year’s Ballon d’Or—pull out of the squad with a leg injury on the eve of the tournament.
His absence was clearly felt as the contest at Al Thumama Stadium—played out to the backdrop of the non-stop drumming and dancing of the Senegal support, but also in front of a considerable number of empty seats—never lived up to its billing.
“I don’t think the scoreline is a fair reflection of the game and I am really proud of my boys,” insisted Senegal coach Aliou Cisse, who saw both Abdou Diallo and Cheikhou Kouyate come off hurt in the second half.
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