The Dutch Eleven or Oranje have sunk the Teranga Lions of Senegal, courtesy goals from Cody Gakpo and Davy Klaassen in their opener of the Qatar 2022 World Cup.
Netherlands, who are the only team to make three grand finals of the tournament –1974, 1978 and 2010 –without clinching the trophy were making their first appearance after their last competition in Brazil eight years ago.
Being the continental Champions and first African nation to play a game in this year’s edition, many expected them to inspire some hope for the remaining African participants especially after holding the Dutch to a first half draw, and only six minutes away from regulation time in the second half.
A somehow demotivated side without their talisman, Sadio Mane, who was ruled out of the tournament as a result of injury picked up in his last game for his club side could not hold on till the end of the game.
An 84th minute cross from Frenkie de Jong was connected by Cody Gakpo, with a Davy Klaassen 90+9 rebound entering the goal posts to secure the 3 maximum points for the Netherlands.
Senegal have two more games to play at the group stage with Ecuador and hosts, Qatar.
By Felix Anim-Appau|Onuaonline.com
