DOHA, Nov 18 (Archyde.com) – The absence of Sadio Mane does not mean the Netherlands will underestimate African champions Senegal when the two meet in Doha in their World Cup Group A opener on Monday Dutch defender Nathan Aké said on Friday.
Senegal’s attacking talisman was ruled out of the tournament on Thursday following injuring his knee playing in the Bundesliga 10 days ago, dealing a blow to his country’s hopes.
However, Aké said that does not reduce the threat they will face on Monday at Al Thumama Stadium.
“It’s going to be very hard,” he said at a press conference.
“Senegal has good players and very strong forwards, even without Mané. Missing the World Cup due to injury is very upsetting, not only for him,” he said.
“Everyone wants to see the best players here. The fact that Mané is not there is, therefore, a loss for this World Cup,” he commented, echoing what captain Virgil van Dijk had said before.
“But we still have to prepare for very hard work, because Senegal is still very strong. We have analyzed them well,” he said.
Aké has carved a niche for himself in the Dutch defense in recent months. “Hopefully I can play on Monday, but we have a lot of top-class defenders to choose from,” he said.
(Written by Mark Gleeson; Edited in Spanish by Carlos Serrano)