Qatar will be hoping to extend a World Cup streak when they continue their 2022 campaign against Senegal on Friday.

The tournament hosts, participating in their first-ever Finals, failed to impress as they lost 2-0 to Ecuador in the opening match of the competition at the weekend.

With Senegal, the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations winners, and Netherlands, the three-time World Cup runners-up, still to come, optimism is low with regards to qualification for the knockout stages.

Nevertheless, when the Maroon take to the pitch at the Al Thumama Stadium, Felix Sanchez will be hoping that his players can extend a continental streak in the competition.

Back in the 2018 World Cup, AFC nations were unbeaten in matches against their African counterparts, with a total of three such games taking place in Russia.

Saudi Arabia recorded a 2-1 triumph over Egypt in Group A, while Iran got the better of Morocco by a 1-0 scoreline in Group B.

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Japan also twice came from behind to earn a draw with Senegal in Group H, the difference between qualification and elimination.

However, Qatar are also bidding to avoid equalling an unwanted World Cup record after failing to register a shot on target against Ecuador.

On only one previous occasion since 1966, only USA have failed to get an effort on target in successive matches, that occurring in 2006.

Qatar will be encouraged by the fact that Senegal have not kept a clean sheet in the World Cup since beating France in their opening match in 2022.

That streak from the Lions of Teranga now sits at eight games, Senegal having lost 2-0 to Netherlands earlier this week after reaching the 84th minute without conceding.

Written by
Darren Plant