NETHERLANDS are taking on Qatar RIGHT NOW – and they lead 1-0!The Dutch know a win will guarantee their progression to the last-16.
The Oranje comfortably beat Senegal 2-0 in their opening match courtesy of two late goals from Cody Gakpo and Davy Klaassen.
But the Netherlands were held to a frustrating draw in their second fixture against Ecuador.
However, Louis Van Gaal’s side will be expected to secure a last-16 spot against Qatar who are already OUT of the tournament.
Kick-off: 3pm UK
Group A: LIVE TABLE
TV channel: ITV 1
Live stream: ITV X
Netherlands XI: Noppert, Timber, Van Dijk, Ake, Dumfries, De Roon, De Jong, Blind, Klaassen, Gakpo, Depay
Qatar XI: Barsham, Ismail, Pedro, Khoukhi, Hassan, Homam, Al Haydos, Madibo, Hatem, Almoez, Afif
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GOAL! – Netherlands 2-0 Qatar
48, De Jong doubles the Netherlands advantage!
Netherlands 1-0 Qatar
47, Gakpo attempts to slide a pass into Depay who would have been in, but for a timely interception by Khoukhi.
Al Haydos then drives forward and Mohammad’s ball in is dealt with by Ake.
Van Gaal will want a goal to create a buffer here.
Netherlands 1-0 Qatar
46, Qatar win an early free-kick and get bodies in the box.
Ake sends a commanding header clear.
SECOND HALF – Netherlands 1-0 Qatar
45, We’re back underway in Qatar!
No changes to report for either side.
Half time stats
As expected, Netherlands have been dominant and have the all important goal.
Mind you, they’ve looked sloppy in possession at times and Qatar, with nothing to lose, are showing glimpses of promise in attack.
Second half up next.
Neil Custis at the Al Bayt Stadium
SunSport’s Neil Custis has this half-time report from Al Khor.
CODY GAKPO is becoming one of the stars of this World Cup.
Many Dutch fans felt they would struggle for goals with Memphis Depay unable to start the opening two games.
But PSV Eindhoven’s Gakpo has filled the gap with three in as many games.
In so doing he has joined exulted company as only the fourth Dutch player to do so at the World Cup after Johan Neeskens (1974) Dennis Bergkamp (’94) and Wesley Sneijder (2010).
His strike against Qatar broke the deadlock here at the Al Bayt Stadium in the 26th minute and it was a cracking slick move to that lead to it.
There had been question marks over why wing-backs Daley Blind and Denzel Dumfries had not been getting more involved in the opening two games.
But Blind was constantly part of anything good the Dutch did in the first period.
It was he who found Memphis Depay who moved it on to Gakpo who played a slick one-two with Davy Klaassen before executing another fine finish curling the ball beyond the goalkeeper’s outstretched arm in to the far bottom corner.
In their opening group win over Senegal he stole in to nick a header home to break that deadlock and was on the mark with scorching shot after just six minutes against Ecuador.Neil CustisSunSport
HALF-TIME – Netherlands 1-0 Qatar
Depay takes the shot on first time, dragging it wide of the target before raising his hands in apology.
The Dutch have the lead at the break, and as things stand, are winning group A.
Ismaila Sarr’s penalty over in Doha bumps Senegal up to second.
Netherlands 1-0 Qatar
45+1, Afif runs out of room and shakes his head in frustration.
Gakpo then attempts to let one run for Depay but Miguel is on his toes and thumps it clear.
Netherlands 1-0 Qatar
45, There will be three minutes of added time here.
Netherlands 1-0 Qatar
Elsewhere in group A, Senegal have scored. That puts them up to second, one point behind the Netherlands as things stand.
Netherlands 1-0 Qatar
40, De Roon slides a ball into Gakpo who takes one touch before firing an effort narrowly over the bar.
The flag was up against him, but that was a good chance by his standards.
Akram Afif of Qatar takes on Nathan Ake of NetherlandsCredit: Getty
Netherlands 1-0 Qatar
38, Madibo has a nibble at the heels of Depay and Netherlands continue to play around Qatar who patiently wait for a Klaassen mistake and pounce.
Hassan drives into Dutch territory but isn’t on the same wavelength as Ali who wanted it in behind, and not to feet.
Netherlands 1-0 Qatar
34, Hasan curls in a dangerous ball but no one in white had bothered to get into the box, allowing Van Djik to calmly mop up.
Neil Custis in Qatar
A word on the attendance from SunSport’s Neil Custis:
Well, they left Al Bayt stadium 20 minutes before the end as Qatar stumbled to defeat in their opener here and this time thousands have just not bothered to even turn up for the match against Holland. The sight of large patches of empty seats in the 68,895 capacity tent like structure out in the desert is embarrassing for the hosts.Neil CustisSunSport
Netherlands 1-0 Qatar
With every goal that Gakpo scores at this tournament, you sense the higher his price will rise.
He looks so composed in front of goal.
Cody Gakpo scores Netherlands’ first goalCredit: Reuters
Netherlands 1-0 Qatar
28, Mohammad latches on to a loose Klaassen pass and goes for goal.
It bounces just in front of Noppert who does well to hold on.
GOAL! – Netherlands 1-0 Qatar
26, Gakpo smashes the Dutch in front! Who else?!
Klaassen smartly flicks the ball on to Gakpo who powered into the penalty area before unleashing a low drive past Barsham and inside the near post.
His third goal of the tournament, taken expertly.
Credit: Getty
Netherlands 0-0 Qatar
25, Blind clips a ball in behind to Depay who turns his man, but can’t get his shot away.
Afif then asks too much of Al Haydos at the other end.
Netherlands 0-0 Qatar
24, Afif is in acres of space down the left and floats a ball in towards Ali, forcing Van Djik to knock it behind for another corner.
It’s driven into Hassan who’s right-footed shot is high and into the stands.
With the shackles off, this is the best I’ve seen Qatar play.
Netherlands 0-0 Qatar
21, Ali looks to sweep the ball on to Hatem on the counter-attack but Ake cuts out the danger.
They move the ball well and Ahmed’s cross is out for a Qatar corner.
Netherlands are in control but it’s good to see the hosts carry some kind of threat.
Netherlands 0-0 Qatar
20, For a team that are already out of the World Cup, the Qatari supporters are doing well to generate some real noise here.
It almost feels louder than their opening game against Ecuador, which saw half the stadium leave at half-time.
Credit: Getty
Credit: Getty
Netherlands 0-0 Qatar
18, The free kick is given against Depay and the Barcelona man waves his arms in disbelief.
They quickly win it back and are awarded their second corner of the day.
Klaassen attacks it well, but his header is glanced well wide of the target.
Netherlands 0-0 Qatar
15, Dumfries glides past Hassan like he wasn’t there.
His ball across is intercepted and we have our first corner of the afternoon.
It comes to nothing.
Credit: Getty
Netherlands 0-0 Qatar
14, The chances are coming for Netherlands.
Depay and De Jong combine well before the latter strikes one on goal.
It hits Klaassen and breaks to Depay who’s instinctive first time volley flies over the bar.
Netherlands 0-0 Qatar
12, Netherlands cut through the Qatar defence with ease.
Blind picks out Klaassen who’s first time effort is blocked.
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