Qatar 2022: Senegal will be our toughest opposition – Van Dijk

Liverpool and Netherlands defender, Virgil Van Dijk has revealed that the Ternga Lions of Senegal will be a very tough opponent for his team at the FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

Netherlands is drawn in group A alongside Senegal, host Qatar and South American side Ecuador.

The Netherlands will play Senegal in group A opener after seeing Host Qatar trade tackle with Ecuador.

Van Dijk told FIFA.com in an interview that their match with the Teranga Lions will be 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.

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.