World Cup qualification: Kuntz with a draw at the debut

Stefan Kuntz’s debut draw in Turkey, the Netherlands’ favorite win in Latvia: Group G of qualifying for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar remains very close. The Turks missed an important victory in the groundbreaking game against Norway and only managed to score 1: 1 (1: 0), the Dutch struggled to a 1: 0 (1: 0) against the blatant outsider Latvia.

For the former U21 national coach, everything went according to plan on his debut with the Turkish national team. Against Norway, which had to do without his injured Erling Haaland, Kerem Aktürkoglu (8th) gave the hosts an early lead. But before the break, Kristian Thorstvedt scored to equalize 1: 1 (41st).

The Dutch lived up to their role as favorites in Latvia and successfully defended their first place in the table in Group G, which would mean direct qualification for the tournament next year. Ex-Bremer Davy Klaasen scored the decisive goal (19th). Norway remains in second place behind the Dutch with 14 points, followed by Turkey (twelve) and Montenegro (eleven).

Belgium, meanwhile, can almost certainly plan for the finals. With the 2-2 (1: 1) between the Czech Republic and Wales, the Belgians are already in second place in Group E – Wales could only theoretically oust the 2018 World Cup third party from the top. Vice world champions Croatia prevailed 3-0 (1-0) on Cyprus. Former Bundesliga player Ivan Perisic (45th), RB Leipzig’s Josko Gvardiol (80th) and Marko Livaja (90th + 2) scored the goals. The Croatians’ closest pursuer is Russia, which also has 16 points in Group H after their 1-0 (1-0) home win against Slovakia.

In the German group J, North Macedonia, the next opponent of the DFB-Elf on Monday, took second place in the table with a 4-0 (1-0) win against outsiders Liechtenstein. Armenia did not get beyond a 1: 1 (1: 0) on Iceland.