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Andries Noppert (left) and Memphis Depay (2nd from right) were part of Louis van Gaal's tactical games
Photo: Federico Gambarini / dpa
If et Trömmelche jeht
: After the start of the World Cup, there was a lot of ridicule about the lack of euphoria in the opening game and the empty ranks.
The fans of Senegal have now set the mood for the start of the 2022 World Cup.
With a 90-minute continuous drum firework, they provided the acoustic setting that was worthy of a final round game.
In contrast to the trumpeting fans from the Netherlands, the events in the stands were as spectacular as one would have wished for on the pitch.
The result:
The Dutch won their opening game at the 2022 World Cup 2-0 (0-0) against Senegal.
Cody Gakpo of PSV Eindhoven scored the opening goal in the 84th minute in an even game at the Al Thumama Stadium.
Davy Klaassen increased shortly before the end (90 + 9).
Here is the match report.
First half:
The Dutch could have taken the lead early on after a narrowly missed pass from Gakpo to Steven Bergwijn (4th minute).
Frenkie de Jong missed the next big opportunity (19'), but Senegal also had something to offer offensively in a hard-fought game: Ismaila Sarr, who shot just over the opponent's goal in the 9th minute, had the best chance.
Es van gaalt again: Bond coach
Louis van Gaal likes to stroke his ego with surprising personnel decisions.
For the World Cup in Qatar, he chose the goalkeeper position as an experimental field.
Jasper Cillessen saw himself as number one and suddenly wasn't there when the squad was nominated, instead Andries Noppert made his debut at the tournament opener.
The 28-year-old from SC Heerenveen is the tallest of all World Cup participants at 2.03 meters, but with 32 first division games he is also a man with limited experience.
Second half:
"No issue" is the ailing Memphis Depay for the game against Senegal.
Van Gaal said that 24 hours before kick-off at the press conference.
Plot twist: After 62 minutes, van Gaal brought on the attacker from FC Barcelona.
However, others made the decision: De Jong was allowed to cross into the six-yard box without being pressed, Senegal goalkeeper Édouard Mendy misjudged and Gakpo headed in.
Mendy also looked bad at 0: 2: he let a manageable shot attempt by Memphis bounce off to the side, the ex-Bremer Klaassen hit the left corner.
Match winner Gakpo:
"If Louis van Gaal trusts Gakpo, he could celebrate his international breakthrough in Qatar." This is what our colleague Cedric Voigt wrote about Gakpo before the tournament, whom he presented as one of seven players to watch out for during this World Cup .
The right nose, like van Gaal with the strong holding Noppert.
How golden without Mané?
It should be the tournament for the golden generation of Senegal.
They became African champions at the beginning of the year, and numerous players with a very good sound in European football fill the squad.
But the injury to leader and superstar Sadio Mané has dampened the mood.
Is it possible for Kalidou Koulibaly, Mendy or Idrissa Gueye to repeat the 2002 quarter-finals?
This will presumably require two wins in the remaining group games.
The system crasher:
Van Gaal's standing in the Netherlands is 9 out of 10 on the Johan Cruyff scale.
This is the only way to explain why he was not expelled from the country after switching from the religiously revered 4-3-3 system to a 5-3-2.
Because as much as people in the Netherlands love the nice game, every now and then they would also like to win something.
Since the changeover was reflected in stability and positive results, the "wrong system" was being used at this World Cup as well.
German European champion for Senegal:
Just under a year and a half ago, Ismail Jakobs was still European champion with the DFB team U21.
Now the son of a German mother and a Senegalese father has received the right to play for African champions Senegal just in time for the World Cup opening game.
World football association Fifa approved the defender's change of nationality a few hours before the game.
The 23-year-old came into the game after just over an hour, but didn't make a spectacular scene.
What's next in the group
: In Group A, Ecuador beat hosts Qatar 2-0 in their opening game.
The Qataris are already under pressure against Senegal (2 p.m.) on Friday, three hours later the Dutch meet Ecuador.
The final duels of the group will take place next Tuesday at 4 p.m.
