England launch World Cup campaign as Qatar slump to defeat

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Ecuador cruised to a 2-0 victory on Sunday, with veteran forward Enner Valencia scoring twice. (AFP)
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  • England, who meet Iran in Group B, will be desperate to start strongly as they target an end to their decades-long trophy drought after two near misses in recent years
  • The Dutch failed to qualify for the World Cup in Russia in 2018 but the three-time runners-up are back in business under veteran manager Louis van Gaal
Doha, Qatarโ€“ European heavyweights England and the Netherlands launch their World Cup campaigns on Monday as the tournament in Qatar shifts into a higher gear after a dispiriting defeat for the hosts.

Asian champions Qatar became the first home nation to lose their opening World Cup match as Ecuador cruised to a 2-0 victory on Sunday, with veteran forward Enner Valencia scoring twice.

England, who meet Iran in Group B, will be desperate to start strongly as they target an end to their decades-long trophy drought after two near misses in recent years.

Gareth Southgateโ€™s men made a surprise run to the 2018 World Cup semi-finals in Russia before reaching their first major final for 55 years at last yearโ€™s European Championship.

Ecuadorโ€™s midfielder #16 Jeremy Sarmiento (L) celebrates with teammates at the end of the Qatar 2022 World Cup Group A football match between Qatar and Ecuador at the Al-Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, north of Doha on November 20, 2022. (AFP)

Despite his success as England boss, Southgate has faced criticism over his perceived negative tactics and pressure has mounted after a poor run of results.

โ€œThe first thing for a coach is to enable (the team) to win,โ€ he said. โ€œThen of course you want to play football that excites people, that players enjoy.

โ€œOur challenge is to give supporters a tournament that is memorable. We have taken them on a fantastic ride in the last two tournaments.โ€

With tougher matches to come against the United States and Wales, England cannot afford a slow start against Iran at the Khalifa International Stadium.

Englandโ€™s opener takes place against the background of deadly demonstrations in the Islamic republic.

Iranโ€™s clerical leadership has been shaken by more than two months of women-led protests sparked by the death in custody of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old woman of Kurdish origin who had been arrested by the morality police in Tehran.

Defender Ehsan Hajsafi said: โ€œThey should know that we sympathies with them,โ€ adding that โ€œconditions at home are not goodโ€.

Bale leads Wales

The other game in Group B pits the USA against Gareth Baleโ€™s Wales, who are playing in their first World Cup since 1958.

Captain Bale said he hoped to inspire a new generation of Welsh footballers.

Qatar supporters look dejected after Ecuador won the Qatar 2022 World Cup Group A football match against Qatar at the Al-Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, north of Doha on November 20, 2022. (AFP)

โ€œEveryoneโ€™s dreamt of it for such a long time,โ€ said the former Real Madrid forward. โ€œWeโ€™ve had so many close calls. For us to be the team to get over the line was incredible.

โ€œBut more importantly the best thing (is) to grow football in our country, to inspire another generation. By doing that hopefully weโ€™re going to have a stronger national team in the future.โ€

The Netherlands take on Senegal in Group A, with the African champions missing their injured talisman, Sadio Mane.

The Dutch failed to qualify for the World Cup in Russia in 2018 but the three-time runners-up are back in business under veteran manager Louis van Gaal, who led the team to the semi-finals in 2014.

โ€œWe have to believe in our qualities and ourselves and be confident,โ€ said Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk.

โ€œWe have a fantastic manager, an experienced manager. We have players who play at the highest level, the biggest clubs in the world.โ€

Senegal coach Aliou Cisse was bullish about his sideโ€™s chances despite the absence of Mane.

โ€œOf course we wonโ€™t hide the importance of Sadio Mane for the Senegalese team โ€” heโ€™s very important, a coach builds his team around his best players.

โ€œBut thereโ€™s also a group here with experienced players, with young players ready to step up. Weโ€™ve had to play matches before without Sadio Mane.โ€

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