Ok This is my first prediction post on HiveBuzz World Cup 2022 contest. The first match I choose is SENEGAL vs NETHERLANDS. The result I guess for this match is a WIN for NETHERLANDS. PErsonally I want to see Senegal, the African Champion 2021/2022 kicks Netherlands ass, however due to Sadio Mane injury, I just can't see that can happen.

First I would like to clarify here, Senegal is a strong solid team. They are fast, strong and discipline in making a tactical moves whether its a offensive or defensive one. They are not a one man team like Egypt which relies so much on Mohammad Salah. However Sadio Mane is a different case for this one. I don't think none of the Senegal players can replace his role.

Mane plays as a winger in the team, but during the game we can see sometime he takes a free role position. He is the center of attacking creativity in Senegal team. During African Cup 2021/2022
Sadio Mane scored 3 goals and made 2 assists, he was involved in 5 goals from a total 9 Senegal Goals. So in general, half of the Senegal Goals came from his contributions.

Now the big question is, with Mane ruled out from this World Cup, how far can Senegal go? None can answer that now, but after the match against Netherlands, we might be able to predict whether Senegal can pass group stages beating out Ecuador and Qatar or they will stop at this first stage.

KEY POINTS OF MATCH PREDICTION

1. Netherlands Tends To Be Strong Against Non Europe Team

Although this sounds funny, the fact is Netherlands have an outstanding record against the CONMEBOL members and AFCON members. Maybe how they play which rely on set pieces, tactical movements, and quick passing aren't compatible with AFCON (african nation) which mostly rely on speed and strength... and so the COMMEBOL (South American) which heavily emphasize on individual play.

2. Netherlands Is The King of Group Stage

They tend to perform extraordinary powerful in group stage, although later they tend be a flop and lose embarrassingly in knockout stage. That why many people like to mock Netherlands for this bad habit.

3. Most Netherlands Players Play In Big Europe Team Which Seek Top Spot

I am not belittling Senegal players, many of them play in good european team. However I only regconize Sadio Mane (Bayern Munich), Edouard Mendy (Chelsea), or Kalidou Koulibaly (Chelsea) that I know playing in competitive team. They have several other good players : B. Sarr (Bayern Munich) F. Ballo (AC Milan) and P. Sarr (Hotspurs) and others, but they are just in reserve team.

For Netherlands players, I think I do not have to mention anyone more. We already know how good is Van Dijk, De Jong, Depay and many more. They have become the core of big clubs.

4. SADIO MANE Injury

As I have mentioned above, this is a sad hard fact. when Sadio Mane confirmed he can no longer continue his World Cup Journey due to an injury, Everyone said it's over for Senegal. Senegal is a great team however this is their main weakness, they don't have any deepth in their squad. When the Sadio Mane, Edouard Mendy, or Kalidou Koulibaly is out from the team, the team is crumbled.

MAN TO WATCH - STEVEN BERGWIJN

Netherland attacking force will be heavily depended on Frenkie de Jong and Memphis Depay. These two guys are the center of creativity in Netherland however I have a feeling that the decisive move will not be made by any of these two. I think Steven Bergwijn who will shine in that match.

Bergwijn is AJAX ace, a former Tottenham Hotspurs player. He plays very effective and efficient, doesn't like to speculate or making some fancy tricks. Then why do I favor him over other Netherland player? Because Senegal is still very strong in defence, and if they press De Jong and Depay so hard, it will make a room for Bergwijn to display his exquisite individual skill in creating scoring opportunity

CLOSING AND CREDIT

This post is made as my participation in HIVBUZZ WORLDCUP CONTEST x OCD, which the more detailed one can be found here: https://peakd.com/@hivebuzz/wc2022

I have cited all material sources and I hope there's none that breached any License or Copyright. Materials that I have not cited mostly are the property of @hivebuzz. If in any case I unintentionally breach any copyright or license, do let me know and I will apologize and remove them a.s.a.p. Football, specially during World Cup are full of license from big businesses, so sometime we need to be extra careful not to offend any of them.

I would like to thank you to this HIVEBUZZ WORLD CUP event's sponsors:

you guys ROCKS!!