Netherlands captain, Virgil Van Dijk believes that the Teranga Lions of Senegal will be the toughest opponent for the Orange in group A of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
The Netherlands will play Senegal in their first game of the Qatar 2022 World Cup on November 21 at Al Thumama Stadium.
In a chat with FIFA.com Van Dijk identified the game with the Teranga Lions as their toughest match-up in the group stage.
“It’s a boyhood dream to represent your country in the World Cup,” Van Dijk said.
“In my case it’s extra special because I get to captain the team. I hope we can achieve something special.
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“For me, as a young boy I didn’t even think about playing for the Dutch national team one day. It was a dream, but I never thought it was realistic. So to make my debut in 2015 for the national was very special.
“A World Cup is never going to be easy, it doesn’t matter who you have to play against. But I think Senegal is going to be the toughest match-up of the three.
” Ecuador are also tough opponents and they play differently to other teams. Every match will be a new challenge and it’s not going to be easy.”
Van Dijk has scored six times in 49 appearances for the Netherlands. He has scored one Premier League goal in 14 games this season.
Netherlands will compete for a place in the knockout stages with Senegal, Ecuador and hosts Qatar in Group A.
Oranje have never won the FIFA World Cup but they have been runners up at three editions; West Germany 1974, Argentina 1978 and South Africa 2010.
