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Everything you need to know about the group that includes hosts Qatar and dark horses Netherlands

The draw for the 2022 World Cup paired hosts Qatar with Netherlands, Ecuador and Senegal in Group A. Here are the final standings after matchday 3.

Netherlands finished at the top of the group with seven points from 3 games, scoring five goals in the process. Senegal joined Netherlands in the round of 16 from Group A after securing a crucial win against Ecuador on final matchday.

Ecuador finished third with four points and missed out on qualification after a loss against Senegal whereas hosts Qatar didn't manage a single win and scored just once picking up zero points in total.

Group A fixtures and results

Date

KO time (local time)

Fixture

Venue

November 20

19:00

Qatar 0-2 Ecuador

Al Bayt Stadium

November 21

19:00

Senegal 0-2 Netherlands

Al Thumama Stadium

November 25

16:00

Qatar 1-3 Senegal

Al Thumama Stadium

November 25

19:00

Netherlands 1-1 Ecuador

Khalifa International Stadium

November 29

18:00

Ecuador 1-2 Senegal

Khalifa International Stadium

November 29

18:00

Netherlands 2-0 Qatar

Al Bayt Stadium

AdvertisementGroup A table

Here are the final standings for Group A:

Position

Country

Played

W

D

L

GD

Points

1

Netherlands

3

2

1

0

+4

7

2

Senegal

3

2

0

1

+1

6

3

Ecuador

3

1

1

1

+1

4

4

Qatar

3

0

0

3

-6

0

Group A squads

Qatar squad

Position Name

GoalkeepersAl Sheeb, Barsham, HassanDefendersRo-Ro Hassan, Salman, Kheder, Ahmed, Al-Rawi, Khoukhi, GaberMidfieldersHatem, Waad, Assadalla, Al-Hajri, Boudiaf, Madibo, TarekAttackersAfif, Alaaeldin, Muntari, Al-Haydos, Mohammad, Muneer, Ali, Al-Hadhrami

Netherlands squad

Position Name

GoalkeepersBijlow, Pasveer, NoppertDefendersDumfries, Frimpong, Van Dijk, Timber, Ake, De Ligt, De Vrij, Blind, MalaciaMidfieldersDe Jong, Simons, Klaassen, Berghuis, Koopmeiners, Taylor, De RoonAttackersMemphis, Bergwijn, Gakpo, Lang, Janssen, De Jong, Weghorst

Ecuador squad

Position Name

GoalkeepersDominguez, Galindez, RamirezDefendersEstupinan, Preciado, Hincapie, Arreaga, Arboleda, Palacios, Porozo, Pacho, Torres MidfieldersGruezo, Mena, Mendez, Plata, Caicedo, Ibarra, Franco, Cifuentes, Sarmiento, Preciado AttackersValencia, Estrada, Reasco, Rodriguez

Senegal squad

Position Name

GoalkeepersMendy, Gomis, DiengDefendersKoulibaly, Mendi, Cisse, Diallo, Ballo-Toure, Jakobs, SabalyMidfieldersP. Gueye, Sarr, I. Gueye, Mendy, Kouyate, Ciss, Diatta, Name, NdiayeAttackersDia, Sarr, Dieng, Ndiaye, Jackson, DiedhiouENJOYED THIS STORY?

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Kick-off times in UK & USA

Qatar time

UK

USA (ET)

13:00

11:00

06:00

16:00

14:00

09:00

18:00

16:00

11:00

19:00

17:00

12:00

22:00

20:00

15:00

Eoin Morgan has told England to embrace the hype of a world final as they prepare to face West Indies in Kolkata

Andrew Miller02-Apr-2016Eoin Morgan has challenged his England team to finish the journey that they embarked on this time last year, and insists they will go into Sunday’s World T20 final against West Indies in Kolkata with their eyes wide open and their mindsets as clear as they have been throughout a revelatory campaign.The madness of the media scrum that Morgan faced at Eden Gardens was ample evidence that tomorrow is no ordinary game. However, England’s captain was adamant that the same grounded attitude that has carried the team to within a single victory of their second World T20 crown would prevent them from being overawed by the occasion.”We’re quite real about things,” said Morgan. “We know it’s not going to be a normal game. Even the semi-final we played [against New Zealand at Delhi], there was quite a lot of hype around the expectation of playing in a final, and I want all of our players to embrace it.”Tomorrow everything will feel a little bit rushed to start with, but it is important we are in the right frame of mind to slow it down when needed and more importantly execute our skills.”The expectation going into the final was that England and West Indies would be faced with a slow, low turner, similar to the Kolkata pitch on which India and Pakistan battled out a low-scoring thriller in the group stages of the competition. However, Morgan said he had been encouraged by his initial viewing of the surface, which appears to have the sort of grass covering that might not have been anticipated.That prospect will doubtless suit West Indies’ stroke-makers as much as England’s – with 146 runs in boundaries in their semi-final win over India at the Wankhede, the prospect of the ball once again coming onto the bat will do them no harm at all.Nevertheless, for England – whose five matches to date have all come on the relatively pacy wickets of Mumbai and Delhi, which have allowed their four-prong seam attack to grow in confidence as each round has progressed – the less adaptation required, the better.”I have had a look at the wicket, yesterday not today,” said Morgan. “There is a nice covering of grass and it looks a really good cricket wicket, which is really good news. I suppose coming to Kolkata you’d expect it to have no grass, but it’s nice to see a covering of grass holding it together.”The wickets we’ve played on in our group weren’t typical Indian wickets,” he added. “I suppose it has surprised me a little. I’m thankful I have reacted to what’s been in front of me and used what’s been effective in games, rather than just sticking with spin the whole time.”That said, there is still plenty of time for the groundstaff to have their say, and should he wake up tomorrow and discover that the surface has been scalped, then Morgan was adamant he would have no compunction about putting Liam Dawson, England’s third spinner, forward for selection, even though he has yet to play a single international match.”Absolutely,” Morgan said. “He’s bowled brilliantly. He wasn’t in the squad in South Africa but he travelled with the side and since he’s been out here he’s come on a hell of a lot. We’d have no issue giving him his debut if that was the right way to go about it.Jason Roy’s nerveless assault carried England into the final•AFP”If the grass isn’t there tomorrow, I’d back the ability of my players to adapt to any conditions and put in a match-winning performance.”That attitude chimes with England’s overall outlook in this tournament. And, though the contrast has been done to death in the past three weeks, that willingness to have a go and to remain buoyant even in times of adversity, is so far removed from the dour approach to the 2015 World Cup that it still boggles the mind that England could reform their attitude so swiftly.”It’s quite a stark difference from 12 months ago,” said Morgan. “It’s hard to believe in some ways. I would never have imagined the turnaround being so immediate or having such an immediate impact. But I’ve always stressed the talent we have in the changing-room and the hard work we put in.”The key component in that has been the mindset of the players and back-room staff, and it’s rubbed off on everyone. Tomorrow, the opportunity that we do have is a product of that. It’s very exciting. I’m just very proud. Very, very proud.”On a personal note, Morgan admitted that his own form has been a concern, much as it was in Australia and New Zealand last year when he mustered 90 runs in five innings. However, having been thrown the captaincy at the last minute on that occasion, this time around he has had a full year in which to cement his authority on the team. Even in the absence of a major contribution from his own bat, Morgan is confident of the value he has brought to the role in this campaign.”I think I’ve drawn on a lot of experience,” he said. “One thing I like to think I do is deal on an individual basis pretty well and keep an eye on the guys, how they’re travelling, and the guys who aren’t playing.”It’s very important that their contributions and morale around the group is high, given that we’re touring India and a lot of the guys haven’t been here before, it’s important to keep talking about conditions, make sure there’s no novelty and no pre-conceived ideas.”There will be plenty of novelty on parade on Sunday evening, as England take to the field at the most storied venue in Asia to contest a world final that no-one could have predicted they were ready to tackle.”It would mean a huge amount [to win it],” Morgan said. “The strides that we’ve made in the last 12 months in white-ball cricket, this would be a great reward for the mindset we’ve shown, the dedication and the hard work.”

A miserly stint of 4 for 37 by Kent allrounder Darren Stevens ensured that the hosts enjoyed an opening day in the sun against Essex in Tunbridge Wells

ECB/PA19-Jul-2015
ScorecardDarren Stevens helped dismiss Essex for 260 after they chose to bat•Getty ImagesA miserly stint of 4 for 37 by Kent allrounder Darren Stevens ensured that the hosts enjoyed an opening day in the sun against Essex in Tunbridge Wells. Stevens, who last week edged past the 300-wicket milestone in first-class cricket, sent down 12 maidens in his 23.5 overs spell to help dismiss the visitors soon after tea for 260 with wicketkeeper Sam Billings taking five catches behind the timbers.In the 12 overs through to the close, Kent reached 68 without loss with Rob Key on 19 not out and Daniel Bell-Drummond unbeaten with 46 off only 34 balls as the hosts go into day two trailing by 192.Despite heavy overnight rain play started on time with Essex batting first after winning the toss. Kent made two changes, welcoming back Rob Key and Mitch Claydon for Adam Ball and Matt Coles, while Essex named Ravi Patel, the on-loan Middlesex spinner.Despite seemingly ideal batting conditions, Kent winkled out two batsmen in the opening hour as Jaik Mickleburgh feathered one to the keeper and Nick Browne, after an attractive 30, played inside the line of a Calum Haggett offcutter to go leg before.Third-wicket partners Tom Westley and Ravi Bopara mounted a recovery operation either side of lunch but, after adding 110, top-scorer Westley aimed a back foot force against Hunn and sent back a sharp return catch to the bowler for 77.Bopara became Stevens’ first victim when he drove airily to snick to a diving Sam Northeast in the cordon then, just before tea, Essex dangerman Jessie Ryder was superbly caught at extra cover by Joe Denly, diving full-length to his left off the bowling of Mitch Claydon.Essex skipper James Foster, who has a superb batting record against Kent, was first to go in the final session when he nibbled at a Stevens outswinger to give Kent counterpart Billings another victim.Having posted a 77-ball fifty with seven fours, Ryan ten Doeschate then aimed a back-foot force against Stevens to edge to Billings, who was soon celebrating again when David Masters top-edged a heave across the line against Haggett. The same bowler then snaffled a sharp return one-handed catch by his right pocket to account for Graham Napier leaving Stevens to finish the innings by having Jamie Porter pouched by a tumbling Billings.”It was good at the Pavilion End with my wind at my back, at my age you need all the help you can, but at the Railway End it was that little bit tougher,” Stevens said. “It’s on the slow side, the pitch, but if you stand the seam up, bowl in the right areas and play the patience game you’ve a good chance of getting wickets.”They were two down at lunch and with Ravi and Westley looking comfortable, but we kept it tight and backed ourselves to bowl as many dot balls as we could and then await the rewards.”

Celtic have reportedly registered their interest in signing Manchester City teenager Freddie Anderson and are plotting an offer, according to Football Insider.

What’s the latest on Celtic and Anderson?

The Hoops appear to be in for a busy summer, with Ange Postecoglou hoping to make three headline signings. The Celtic manager is thought to be plotting moves for a new centre-back, central midfielder and striker, whereas the club are understood to be readying a new ‘huge’ contract to keep Postecoglou at Parkhead following speculation of interest from several Premier League sides.

However, there could also be further additions when it comes to the academy, with Anderson seemingly a target. Football Insider reporter Pete O’Rourke shared a story regarding Anderson and Celtic in the last 48 hours. He revealed that the teenage defender is set to leave the Premier League champions this summer, with Scotland a potential destination.

The Hoops, and by extension head of recruitment Mark Lawwell, have registered their interest in the 16-year-old and are plotting a move for his services alongside Championship clubs Stoke City and Watford.

Could Celtic find another Frimpong in Anderson?

Anderson is the son of former England international Viv Anderson and is primarily a centre-back who can also feature as a right-back if required.

He appears to be a potential future star and is in demand heading into the summer, so Celtic could be looking to repeat their success of bringing a teenage Manchester City defender to Scotland.

The Hoops signed Jeremie Frimpong from Manchester City’s U23s when the right-back was just 19, with the player making an impact in Glasgow before being sold to Bayer Leverkusen in an €11m deal 2021.

You’d expect that Anderson would initially ply his trade in Celtic’s B team due to his age, should he make the move north, looking to impress and earn a professional contract.

Celtic also haven’t had much joy when it comes to keeping hold of their academy players, with Aidan Borland potentially the next to leave for Aston Villa in a transfer that could be worth £1.2m, so it would be nice if the Hoops were able to add to their ranks by signing Anderson.

Chelsea captain Millie Bright may have to miss her team's Women's Champions League clash against Paris FC because of a knee injury, Emma Hayes says.

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Defender had knee surgery in early 2023Chelsea being cautious with number of gamesBright could pull out of England teamWHAT HAPPENED?

The defender has featured prominently for Chelsea this season, making seven appearances across the Women's Super League (WSL) and Champions League. However, Blues coach Hayes says a knee issue she sustained before the World Cup earlier this year is still an issue as Bright must manage her workload after undergoing an operation.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesWHAT HAYES SAID

Hayes told reporters ahead of Thursday's European clash: "Millie's 50/50 for tomorrow. Having so many games in quick succession, we're managing her loading. She's very much in doubt for tomorrow. Preparation going into the World Cup wasn't ideal. She probably rushed herself back and she's also come back after the World Cup and quickly into the Chelsea season. Perhaps she needed a little bit longer. Her knee is a little bit angry at the minute. It is not anything too detrimental. We're just listening to her body. We're going to take decisions on a day-by-day basis."

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Bright was named in the England squad for the matches against Netherlands and Scotland next month. However, Hayes added that there is a "strong possibility" that the 30-year-old will have to pull out of the camp.

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GettyWHAT NEXT FOR CHELSEA?

Chelsea host Paris FC at Stamford Bridge in the Champions League. The London side are second in their group after drawing their first game of the competition. The reigning WSL champions and current leaders will then face Leicester in the league on Sunday.

Ranchi will host IPL’s second qualifier on May 22 for logistical reasons

Amol Karhadkar29-Apr-2015Ranchi will host IPL’s second qualifier on May 22 for logistical reasons. Once it was finalised as a Playoff venue, Ranchi’s proximity to Kolkata, where the final will be played on May 24, went in its favour.It is a minor change from the original schedule proposed for the final week of the tournament. Wankhede stadium in Mumbai had been allotted the second qualifier. “We have [now] been informed that we will now host the first qualifier on May 19,” Dr PV Shetty, Mumbai Cricket Association joint secretary, said.Pune will host the eliminator on May 20.

Jude Bellingham has been compared to Kaka by Carlo Ancelotti as the manager lauded the midfielder as "humble and hard working".

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Bellingham in sublime form at Real MadridAncelotti compared him to Brazil legend KakaHailed the midfielder's work rateWHAT HAPPENED?

Bellingham, in just 16 games, has scored 15 goals and provided four assists, making him the fastest player to reach this milestone in the white shirt. His exploits in front of goal led the Italian manager to compare the English youngster to that of Kaka during his stint with AC Milan in the early 2000s.

AdvertisementWHAT ANCELOTTI SAID ABOUT BELLINGHAM

When Ancelotti was asked if he found Bellingham similar to Alfredo di Stefano, Zinedine Zidane and Johan Cruyff, the coach replied: "I have never seen Di Stefano play. In the previous press conference I made the comparison with Zidane… and… well, I am surprised by him, I would say the closest thing is like the first time I saw Kaka. I’m not saying that he is similar to him, but he has similarities to Kaka."

Getty ANCELOTTI HAILED BELLINGHAM'S WORK RATE

While most coaches would have been ecstatic with the goalscoring trait of Bellingham, Ancelotti revealed that he is more of an admirer of the midfielder's work rate.

When asked if the former Borussia Dortmund player is their main goalscorer, Ancelotti said: "No, I don’t think we have ever asked Bellingham to score goals. He is doing it because he has this fantastic ability to reach the opponent’s area at the right time. The respect we have for him is for the work he does… not for the goals. He is greatly respected for what he does on the field, which goes far beyond goals. He is a humble and hardworking boy. Entering the Madrid dressing room is easy.”

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(C)GettyImagesWHAT NEXT FOR BELLLINGHAM?

Alarm bells started ringing at Valdebebas when Bellingham was spotted walking out of the training earlier than usual on Friday. It is known that the midfielder is carrying a shoulder injury that will require surgery at some point in the future but Ancelotti dismissed speculations about a potential injury and confirmed that he is available for selection.

"Bellingham is ready to play tomorrow. He has no problem, he is a little tired. He has a slight discomfort in his ankle and we have preferred to avoid contact. He will play tomorrow," he said.

Real Madrid will host Granada in a La Liga fixture on Saturday afternoon at Santiago Bernabeu.

With the Three Lions into the last four for the first time in 28 years, Goal compares Gareth Southgate's cubs to Bobby Robson's star-studded side

Getty Images1GK: Shilton vs Pickford

Peter Shilton is an England legend, one of the finest goalkeepers the country has ever produced. However, by Italia '90, he was 40 and no longer at his brilliant best, as underlined by his poor performances in the semi-final loss to West Germany and the third-place play-off with Italy.

By contrast, Jordan Pickford is a young goalkeeper on the rise.

The 24-year-old was considered a potential weak link in the current squad but has instead become one of England's World Cup heroes, after his crucial penalty save from Colombia's Carlos Bacca and man of the match-winning performance against Sweden. 

If we were evaluating their overall ability or respective careers, Shilton would be the obvious choice. But, given this is about their respective form at the World Cups in question…

Winner: Pickford

AdvertisementGetty Images2RWB: Parker vs Trippier

One of the hardest choices on the team.

Paul Parker was a fantastically reliable defender and excelled after being moved to right wing-back following England's World Cup opener against Republic of Ireland. 

However, Kieran Trippier has been a revelation in Russia, proving not only defensively sound but also a real asset going forward.

Indeed, no other defender has created more chances (13) than the Tottenham ace, whose dead-ball deliveries have played a pivotal role in the Three Lions' success.

Winner: Trippier

Getty Images3RCB: Des Walker vs Kyle Walker

The battle of the Walkers!

Des was an excellent defender, whose brain was as quick as his feet. An excellent man-marker (Nottingham Forest fans used to sing, "You'll never beat Des Walker!"), he was immaculate in almost each and every game at the 1990 World Cup.

After proving an excellent addition to Manchester City's title-winning squad last season, namesake Kyle has had a fine tournament in Russia, underlining his versatility and excellent footballing skills by switching seamlessly from right-back to centre-half to facilitate Southgate's use of a three-man defence.

However, Des gets the nod because this was his natural position.

Winner: Des Walker

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Getty Images4CB: Wright vs Stones

Mark Wright didn't play a minute of England's qualifying campaign for the 1990 World Cup yet he proved a key man in Italy, after Bobby Robson's crucial decision to switch to a three-man backline after an uninspired performance against Ireland in their tournament opener.

A tall, elegant defender with a wide range of passing, Wright revelled in the sweeper role and it was also his goal, against Egypt, that saw the Three Lions progress as group winners. 

John Stones is another classy ball-playing defender whose propensity for lapses in concentration has not been seen at all during an almost flawless campaign in Russia that has also featured two goals, against Panama.

However, when it comes to overall influence, there's only one possible victor…

Winner: Wright

Colin Graves, the incoming ECB chairman who has vowed to modernise English cricket, has voiced his approval for four-day Test cricket

David Hopps31-Mar-20155:53

Are four-day Tests feasible ?

Colin Graves, the incoming ECB chairman, has voiced his personal approval for four-day Test cricket in a move that signals nothing is sacred as he prepares his attempts to modernise professional cricket in England.Graves chose to reveal all to one of the bastions of traditionalism – the MCC website – as he proposed the first of what will be several radical proposals which he believes will reinvigorate English cricket, make it more financially viable and put it more in tune with the culture of the times.The suggestion of four-day Tests was floated in a wide-ranging ECB discussion document that was exclusively revealed by ESPNcricinfo last month, but this is the first time that Graves has admitted he personally supports what would be the biggest change to international cricket in modern times.English Test crowds still remain relatively healthy, but increasingly there are disturbing signs that the virus of dwindling Test attendances is beginning to eat into Test attendances outside London.Graves told the MCC website, : “Personally, I think we should look at four-day Test cricket and play 105 overs a day starting at 10.30 in the morning, and finish when you finish as all the grounds now have lights,” he said.”Every Test match would start on a Thursday, with Thursday and Friday being corporate days and then Saturday and Sunday the family days.”From a cost point of view you’d lose that fifth day, which would save a hell of a lot of money from the ground’s point of view and the broadcasters. I would look at that. In reality, there’s not many people who turn up and watch it on the fifth day.”Graves’ ambitions for 105 overs a day would lose only 30 overs on the current five-day minimum of 450 overs, but they sound somewhat idealistic. Although a rate of less than 18 overs an hour in a six-hour day seems just about feasible, even for the modern game, Test matches routinely expand into overtime just to complete 90. An ODI, which pretty much feels as long as cricket can manage, stretches to 100.A preponderance of pace bowlers, lengthy stoppages for tactical discussions, drinks breaks running overtime, donning of protective equipment on the field, and a generally dilatory approach all contribute to a Test over rate that has been around 15 overs an hour now for a generation.The revelation that the ECB was even mooting four-day Tests from Test purists worldwide. But whether such a move would make Tests more profitable, and would receive a favourable reaction from a greater number of spectators, remains relatively unexplored.Cricket would also lose one of its enduring charms: the gradual deterioration of a pitch that only really begins to turn sharply on the final two days.Graves, whose five-year term begins on May 15, will begin to promote his views when he is a guest at the MCC World Cricket Committee, where he has been invited to speak this July.His determination that cricket moves with the times, and does not become isolated from the culture of the nation, is also seen in his driving forward of discussions about a more high-profile Twenty20 tournament in England that would be a real competitor to the IPL and the Big Bash League in Australia.”Let’s look forward, let’s look at what the public wants because we are in the entertainment business and that’s what we’ve got to remember,” he said.It is a message that he will ram home repeatedly in the coming months.Four-day Tests remain likely to be a battle that Graves loses – at least in the short term – but his willingness to think radically, based on an assessment of what the public wants, displays a willingness to embrace change, at 67, that has long been beyond the ken of cricket administrators in England.

Denesh Ramdin, the West Indies wicketkeeper, has said the team’s confidence has not been hampered despite consecutive losses to India A to open their tour

Renaldo Matadeen06-Oct-2014Denesh Ramdin, the West Indies wicketkeeper, has said the team’s confidence has not been hampered despite consecutive losses to India A to open their tour. Despite a century from Ramdin, West Indians lost the second tour match by 16 runs at the Wankhede Stadium on Sunday. Even so, he said, the team was optimistic ahead of Wednesday’s ODI series opener against India with reinforcements such as ODI captain Dwayne Bravo, Dwayne Smith and Andre Russell due following the end of the Champions League T20.”We are right where we want to be,” Ramdin said. “Bravo, Smith and Russell still have to slot in. That will give [Kieron] Pollard and [Darren] Sammy more finishing power at the end. Today, we kept losing wickets consistently. But we can take some confidence going into the next game.”It was a very good pitch for batting [today]. With the amount of seamers we have, they came and hit the lengths and the balls carried through quite nicely. They hit a couple of edges and I did what I had to do behind – cleaning up and I got five catches. We could have bowled better with the new ball.”Ramdin starred with an industrious 102, but was unhappy he hadn’t stayed at the crease long enough to finish the chase of 283. “It was a good day in terms of my glove-work and then batting and getting a good score,” he said. “But I wasn’t happy in terms of batting right down to the end and finishing off the game for the team.”Ramdin also praised Jason Holder and Sammy for their fifties but said the top order needed to support the middle order better. For the second match in a row, both openers fell cheaply. India A’s top order, on the other hand, sparkled once again, with Unmukt Chand scoring a century and Karun Nair a brisk 64 at No. 3.”It’s very important that our batters put runs on the board,” Ramdin said. “We have to get early wickets and put their middle and lower order under pressure.”Ramdin said the seamers would play a crucial role as the tour progressed, singling out Jerome Taylor as a potential trump card. He added that with Sunil Narine out, “guys would have to pull their weight more and come up with the goods.”