2022 FIFA World Cup: 1 December Preview – Groups E & F Matchday 3
SuperSport viewers on DStv will be treated to unrivalled coverage of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, with the tournament set to run from 20 November to 18 December and provide the most thrilling distillation of “The Beautiful Game”.
Thursday 1 December sees Group F wrap up in the late afternoon with Croatia and Belgium meeting at the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium, at the same time that Canada and Morocco clash at the Al Thumama Stadium.
The latter clash sees the Atlas Lions needing only to avoid defeat in order to secure progression into the last 16, while the former battle between the Blazers and the Red Devils – two of the top three finishers at the last World Cup in 2018 – is effectively a shootout to advance.
Croatia can afford a draw, but Belgium will very likely need to win to remain alive in the tournament. Said Belgium coach Roberto Martinez:
The game went away from us the moment we conceded the [first] goal [against Morocco in a 2-0 defeat]. We need to make sure that we get stronger together and we’ll get ready for the third game [against Croatia].
Thursday’s night matches bring Group E to a close, as Japan and Spain clash at the Khalifa International Stadium, at the same time that Costa Rica takes on Germany at Al Bayt Stadium.
Japan, following their upset win over Germany in the first round of matches, slumped to a loss at the hands of Costa Rica this past weekend.
Coach Hajime Moiyasu wants his side to keep the faith that they can advance from the group. He said:
For the Germany game and [against Costa Rica], we had high intensity… and for the next match against Spain, it will be [the same]. So we just need to increase the odds for Japan and that is how I decided on the tactics.
Die Mannschaft, meanwhile, must beat Costa Rica to avoid a second successive group stage exit from the World Cup, after they could only claim a point from their first two games against the Samurai Blue and La Furia Roja.
FIFA World Cup broadcast details
Thursday 1 December
17:00: Group F, Croatia v Belgium – LIVE on SuperSport PSL, SuperSport Maximo 1, SuperSport Maximo 2,
17:00: Group F, Canada v Morocco – LIVE on SuperSport Premier League, SuperSport La Liga, and SuperSport Maximo 3
21:00: Group E, Japan v Spain – LIVE on SuperSport PSL, SuperSport La Liga, SuperSport Maximo 1, and SuperSport Maximo 3,
21:00: Group E, Costa Rica v Germany – LIVE on SuperSport Premier League, and SuperSport Maximo 2
