FIFA World Cup 2018 : Preview (Group A & Group B)
- Previewing each groups of the FIFA World Cup 2018
- Jun 9, 2018
- 5 min read
With the FIFA World Cup around the corner, we here at FT have made sure that you guys have the utmost knowledge and insights of the proceedings in Russia. The FIFA World Cup brings together different nations with their supporters and features some of the best players of the game in action.
In a four part series, we’ve got your back as we preview each group and their chances this time around.
GROUP -A
Russia: - Russia go into the tournament as they qualified automatically being the hosts and are the lowest ranked team in the tournament at 70. A team that is mostly comprised of seasoned professionals, Russia might have a chance to get hold of the second spot. 16 of their 23 players are over the age of 28. Under Stanislav Cherchesov, Russians play a defensive brand of football and are hard to beat.
Most Valuable Player: - Aleksandr Golovin
Golovin plays as a central attacking midfielder (CAM) for CSKA Moscow in the Russian Premiership. Aged just 22, this upcoming star is currently linked with moves to the likes of Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United.
Uruguay:- La Celeste, as they are commonly known as, are the favorites to win Group A. Armed with lethal attackers like Edinson Cavani and Luiz Suarez in their armory, this Uruguay team can cause damage to any opposition’s defense. Lucas Torreira and Rodrigo Bentancur, currently at Samprodia & Juventus respectively, bossing the midfield and a defensive line of Atletico Madrid stars Jimenez and Diego Godin, will be pretty hard to face. Current manager Óscar Tabárez has often faced criticism over his style of play. Although with Cavani scoring 10 goals in the qualifying rounds and Suarez beside him, Uruguay might go the distance.
Most Valuable Player: - Edinson Cavani
Cavani is off to Russia on the back of his most impressive season with PSG as he netted 40 goals and assisted 12 times in 48 games. With El Matador on that kind of form, it’s hard to see someone stopping him.
Saudi Arabia:- Managed by former Valencia and Chile manager Juan Antonio Pizzi, the Green Falcons have got some swagger in their team. The team had been under performing for a few years and had to change managers twice before getting Pizzi through the door. The Saudi Arabian Federation wanted their players to train in European facilities before the World cup and get proper preparations before the big tournament.
Most Valuable Player: - Mohammad Al-Sahlawi
Al-Sahlawi is the talisman of this team scoring 16 goals, highest in the qualifying rounds across all federations equaling Robert Lewandowski. Al-Sahlawi is 31 yrs old and plays for Al- Nassr in the Saudi Arabian League.
Egypt: - With Héctor Cúper at the helm, Egypt just lost one game in their qualifying stages. Cúper has got Egypt in a very defensive structure with most of the attacks surrounding their talisman Moh Salah. Héctor Cúper likes a 4-2-3-1 structure with Arsenal’s ElNeny and Tarek Hamed playing as a double pivot in the central midfield. Most valuable Player: - Mohammed Salah
Do we really need to explain that??? The Egyptian King has scored 44 goals and 16 assists in 52 games taking Liverpool to a UEFA Champions League final. Ballon D'or deserving numbers that!!
GROUP B
Spain: - Since Euro 96, Spain have qualified for all major tournament without losing a qualifier. Julen Lopetegui takes over from Vicente del Bosque and is yet to lose a game with the Spanish national side. Lopetegui has turned this Spanish side into a high pressing unit which is very new to this team. Some members from the ‘Golden generation’ including the likes of Iniesta, Sergio Ramos, Busquests and Pique are still a big part of the squad. The Champions of FIFA World Cup 2010 would like to give a better account of themselves this time around after getting knocked out of group stages in Brazil 2014. Big names like Morata, Cesc Fabregas and Bellerin were not selected. Still the likes of Diego Costa, David Silva, Thiago form a solid base for a successful Spanish campaign.
Most Valuable Player: - David De Gea
De Gea is not just any other goalkeeper. This Spanish shot stopper is currently the best in the world. On the back of winning the Premier League Golden Glove award with Manchester United, De Gea is the favourite to bag the Golden Glove award at this tournament as well. With 14 expected goals saved in the 17/18 season, De Gea is currently on fire. With Ramos and Pique in front of him, Spain can almost forget the thought of conceding goals.
Iran: - Iran made their debut in a FIFA World Cup in 1978 and there’s no looking back. This is their first back to back World Cup qualifications and they look to give a good account of themselves in the world stage. Managed by the former Real Madrid and Manchester United (assistant) manager Carlos Queiroz, Iran might have something to offer. Sardar Azmoun, also known as the Iranian Messi, features in this tournament.
Most Valuable Player: - Alireza Jahanbakhsh
Jahanbakhsh is the top goal scorer of Eredivisie with 21 goals and 12 assists. A genuinely ambidextrous winger, Jahanbakhsh is currently linked with a move to Serie A giants Napoli.
Morocco: - Currently managed by Hervé Renard, this Moroccan team is set up to play in cup competitions. Renard comes in with his cup pedigree after he won the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) on two occasions with Zambia and Ivory Coast. With players like Mehdi Benatia(Juventus), Achraf Hakimi(Real Madrid) in defence and Nordin Amrabat and Hakim Ziyech in midfield, this team can definitely cause a few troubles to their opposition.
Most Valuable Player: - Ayoub El Kaabi
El Kaabi is a 24-yr-old Moroccan forward RS Berkane in the Moroccan league. El Kaabi scored 10 goals in 8 games in the qualifiers to secure the World Cup berth for the ‘Lions of the Atlas.’
Portugal: - Portugal was first seen in a FIFA World Cup in 1966 and made a lasting impact with their then talisman, Eusebio, scoring 9 goals, a record till date, in the tournament. During qualifiers Portugal got themselves out of trouble time and time again with the defence being a big issue for the Portuguese. The backline of Bruno Alves, Pepe and Jose Fonte have a combined age of 100. Andre Silva has been on fire for the Navigators with 9 goals during the qualifying stages. Manager Fernando Santos is very experienced and would do his best to get the best out of the Euro 2016 Champions.
Most Valuable Player: - Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo has been the talisman his club and country for the past 10 years. The legendary Portuguese winger turned forward is coming into this tournament on the back of winning a 3rd UEFA Champions League in 3 years scoring 44 goals and is the favourite to win the Ballon D'or. Good luck stopping him!!!
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