Defending champion France takes on Poland within the FIFA World Cup 2022 spherical of 16 conflict at Al Thumama Stadium on Sunday. The game will start at 8:30 PM Indian Standard Time.
France topped Group D regardless of its shock defeat to Tunisia. Didier Deschamps’s group opened its marketing campaign with a convincing 4-1 win over Australia and adopted it up with a 2-1 win over Denmark. These two wins had been sufficient for France to advance to the pre-quarterfinals.
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Poland, in the meantime, completed second in Group C. Czeslaw Michniewicz’s group started its marketing campaign with a draw in opposition to Mexico earlier than beating Saudi Arabia. Nevertheless, in its ultimate group recreation, Poland misplaced to Argentina 2-0.
Either side met 16 occasions earlier than Sunday’s conflict, with France profitable eight matches, whereas Poland emerged the winner on three events. The remaining matches resulted in attracts.
FIFA appointed Venezuelan referee Jesus Valenzuela Saez to officiate as we speak’s match.
Who’s Valenzuela Saez ?
The 39-year-old is a Venezuelan referee. He has expertise officiating Copa America, Copa Libertadores, Copa Sudamericana, Liga FUTVE – the premier division of Venezuelan soccer, and FIFA World Cup matches.
Saez joined the FIFA referee panel in 2013.
Within the 2021 Copa America, he oversaw the semifinal between Argentina and Colombia which noticed Lionel Messi rating the profitable penalty within the shootout. Saez additionally officiated soccer matches on the Tokyo Olympics.
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In Qatar World Cup, he oversaw the Group B conflict between England and the USA, that resulted in a goalless draw. In that recreation, Saez let the sport circulation by itself phrases as he didn’t e book any participant. That was fairly shocking, given his report in Liga FUTVE.
Within the Venezuelan league, he confirmed the crimson card to 6 gamers. This 12 months, he officiated eight matches and issued a complete of 12 yellow playing cards.
In as we speak’s match, Valenzuela Saez shall be assisted by compatriots Jorge Urrego Martinez, Tulio Moreno with Peruvian Kevin Ortega as fourth official.
Match officers for France vs Poland spherical of 16 conflict
Referee: Jesus Valenzuela Saez (Venezeula)
Assitant Referees: Jorge Urrego Martinez (Venezuela), Tulio Moreno (Venezuela)
Fourth Official: Kevin Ortega (Peru)
