Friday, June 8, 2018

The Teams

RUSSIA (hosts)

THE SQUAD

Akinfeev (c), Mario Fernandes, Kupetov, Ignashevich, Semyonov, Cheryshev, Kuzyayev, Gazinsky, Dzagoev, Smolov, Zobnin, Lunyov, Kudryashov, Granat, Al. Miranchuk, An. Miranchuk, Golovin, Zhirkov, Samedov, Gabulov, Yerokhin, Dzyuba, Smolnikov.

PLAYER TO WATCH

Alan Dzagoev is probably Russia’s best creative influence at the home tournament. Sidelined for much of the 2017-18 club campaign for CSKA Moscow with injury, he still managed to contribute 3 goals and 7 assists in 21 appearances in the Russian league. Listing Frank Lampard as a footballing role model, the 27-year-old central creator is quick with a pass and will certainly be the heartbeat for anything Russia will be trying to do.

Another one to watch is Villarreal winger and former Real Madrid youth product Denis Cheryshev. Although not a noted goalscorer (he is scoreless in 11 international caps), he possesses great dribbling ability, but it is that lack of end product that has plagued his professional career.

UNDER THE RADAR

Russia head into the World Cup with a set of twins at their disposal, one of whom is Lokomotiv Moscow attacking midfielder/striker Aleksei Miranchuk. Still only 22 years old, he appeared in 41 games for the capital city outfit, scoring 8 goals while largely being deployed as a number-10, the role he’ll likely play at the tournament behind the likes of Artem Dzyuba and Fyodor Smolov. Tall for an attacking midfielder, look for his late runs into the box.

KEY MAN OUT

Aleksandr Kokorin is probably the best striker in Russia right now, with good physical attributes and strong finishing ability. He scored 19 goals in 35 appearances for Zenit St. Petersburg, before unfortunately tearing his ACL in a Europa League clash against RB Leipzig.

ANALYSIS/PREDICTIONS

Russia, like South Africa in 2010, enter their own World Cup as the lowest ranked team (70th as of 7 June, 2018). While there is no denying the squad has some creative players in Dzagoev, Cheryshev and Samedov, it has the feel of a largely aging group lacking true firepower or a real point of difference. Both Cheryshev and Dzagoev will need to perform at their best for Russia to be able to advance. Luckily for them, this squad does have experience and, being in a group that isn’t packed full of stars, have a good chance to advance. Host nations tend to get a home-crowd boost in every tournament, but they will need to take full value from games against Saudi Arabia and Egypt to make it happen.

CHELSEA CONNECTIONS

Yuri Zhirkov — 2009-11: 49 appearances, 1 goal

QUALIFYING FORM

Did not go through qualifying as hosts.

EGYPT

Real Madrid v Liverpool - UEFA Champions League Final

THE SQUAD

El-Hadary (c), Gabr, Elmohamady, Gaber, Morsy, Hegazi, Fathy, Hamed, Mohsen, Salah, Kahraba, Ashraf, Abdel-Shafy, Sobhi, Hamdy, Ekramy, Elneny, Shikabala, Said, Samir, Trézéguet, Warda, El-Shenawy.

PLAYER TO WATCH

I wonder who this could be. Even the most ardent supporter of the Pharaohs would be foolish not to admit that the entire fate of this campaign rests on the (injured) shoulders of Mohamed Salah. While Egypt do have some really nice midfielders in Elneny and Morsy, plus a nice defensive base with Hegazi, Elmohamady and Fathy, Salah is the one player who can influence a game on his own. His blinding pace can give opposition defences fits and, as we saw this season with Liverpool, he’s absolutely devastating in front of goal where he set a new Premier League record for a 38-game season with 32 goals.

UNDER THE RADAR

His real name is Mahmoud Hassan, but the 23-year-old is simply known as Trézéguet thanks to his resemblance to the legendary Juventus and France striker. This Trézéguet plays midfield however, though he did set a new personal record with 14 goals in 29 appearances for Kasımpaşa in the Turkish Süper Lig this season. He came through the youth system at Al Ahly, one of the biggest clubs in Egypt, before moving to Anderlecht at 19 and now to Turkey. He could prove to be vital in supplementing an Egyptian attack where defences are sure to be keyed in on Salah.

KEY MAN OUT

Another product of Al Ahly’s youth academy, big target man Kouka will not be on the plane to Russia. Currently plying his trade in Portugal with Braga and previously Rio Ave, he has a good scoring record at domestic level, and despite struggling in the past season, would’ve brought much needed size to an otherwise small attacking group.

ANALYSIS/PREDICTIONS

Egypt are perhaps the biggest example of a one-man team heading into this summer’s tournament. Mo Salah will keep them in any game, but if his teammates can’t step up, akin to LeBron James and his ragtag band of ne’er-do-wells in the NBA Finals, then opposition teams may find it easy to entomb the Pharaohs. Still, Salah didn’t score 40+ goals in all competitions this season for no reason, and if he gets even an inkling of support, Egypt have a chance. I do think they’ll just fall short, finishing third, but it won’t be without entertainment.

CHELSEA CONNECTIONS

Mohamed Salah — 2014-16: 19 appearances, 2 goals

QUALIFYING FORM

Egypt topped Group E in the third round of CAF qualifying, thus securing a place at the World Cup. Their group featured Uganda, the Congo, and disappointing favourites Ghana. Egypt’s only loss in the final round was a 1-0 loss away in Uganda.

Played: 6. Won: 4. Drawn: 1. Lost: 1. Goals For: 8. Goals Against: 4. Points: 13.

SAUDI ARABIA

THE SQUAD

Al-Mayouf, Al-Harbi, Os. Hawsawi (c), Al-Bulaihi, Om. Hawsawi, Al-Breik, Al-Faraj, Al-Shehri, Bahebri, Al-Sahlawi, Al-Khaibri, Kanno, Al-Shahrani, Otayf, Al-Khaibari, Al-Mogahwi, Al-Jassim, Al-Dawsari, Al-Muwallad, Assiri, Al-Mosailem, Al-Owais, M. Hawsawi.

PLAYER TO WATCH

Saudi Arabia’s strength is definitely in their attack, and their tandem of Mohammad Al-Sahlawiand Fahad Al-Muwallad is one of the best strike forces in the whole of Asia. Boasting 83 caps and 38 goals between the two of them, they’re very much a complementary combination, with Al-Sahlawi bringing power and finishing, while Al-Muwallad is raw pace. Al-Muwallad especially is one to look out for, as one of the more highly rated youngsters in the Asian confederation, he already has 44 caps at the young age of 23 and is one of Saudi Arabia’s best prospects.

UNDER THE RADAR

The cover star of FIFA 16 for the Middle Eastern market, Yasser Al-Shahrani is an industrious full back who can play on either side of defence and even in a central midfield role. Still only 26 years old, he has established himself as one of the premier wing-backs in Asia, and is especially noted for his ability to swing in dangerous crosses with either foot.

KEY MAN OUT

Perhaps a byproduct of the relative attacking riches that Saudi Arabia possess, but one man who can consider himself unlucky to not be in the squad is Al-Hilal striker Nawaf Al-Abed. One of Saudi Arabia’s more experienced options up front or out wide, he could probably blame a relatively poor strike rate (8 goals in 44 caps) for his exclusion from the squad. While listed as a striker/winger, his ideal role is probably as a second striker around a target man, or out wide; he was one of the last men cut and just misses out due to the aforementioned attacking duo.

ANALYSIS/PREDICTIONS

Traditionally one of the stronger teams in AFC, Saudi Arabia are strong up front but, like a lot of smaller footballing nations, have weaknesses in defence. They won’t be easy to beat by any stretch of the imagination, but it is hard to see them advancing in this group. Both Egypt and Russia will be looking at this game as their key game to win. That said, as a strong counter-attacking side, “The Green Falcons” can sit back and absorb pressure before unleashing a rapid break and create a few problems.

CHELSEA CONNECTIONS

None.

QUALIFYING FORM

Saudi Arabia finished second in Group B during the third and final round of AFC qualifying, in a group that was topped by Japan and also featured Australia, the UAE, Iraq and Thailand. Saudi Arabia’s home form was key, winning 4 out of 5 games and drawing the other, while picking up road wins in Iraq and Thailand.

Played: 10. Won: 6. Drawn: 1. Lost: 3. Goals For: 17. Goals Against: 10. Points: 19.

URUGUAY

THE SQUAD

Muslera, Gimenez, Godin (c), Varela, Sanchez, Bentancur, Rodriguez, Nandez, Suarez, De Arrascaeta, Stuani, Campana, G. Silva, Torreira, Vecino, Pereira, Laxalt, Gomez, Coates, Urretaviscaya, Cavani, Caceres, M. Silva.

PLAYER TO WATCH

Luis Suarez — a bit obvious, but still one of the best strikers in world football. He’s already scored over 100 league goals for Barcelona in 4 years, including 31 goals in 51 games in all competitions in 2017-18. He pairs impeccable timing with clinical finishing and positioning to cut opponents to shreds.

UNDER THE RADAR

As tempting as it is to put Cavani here for banter, I’m going to go with one of the youngest members of the squad, Sampdoria midfielder Lucas Torreira. The 22-year-old only has 2 international caps, but is a vital part of the Sampdoria engine room. Despite his miniature stature (1.68m), he screens the defence well, and is comfortable on the ball.

KEY MAN OUT

Another Sampdoria man here, and it’s former Southampton, Hull and Middlesbrough midfielder, Gaston Ramirez. After an indifferent spell in England, he returned to Italy and put in a very good season for Sampdoria, contributing 5 goals in 37 appearances across the board, guiding Il Doria to a mid-table finish. Ramirez is a product of a strong midfield and, at 28 years old, wasn’t viewed as favourable over other younger options.

ANALYSIS/PREDICTIONS

Uruguay should top this group comfortably. Their strike force of Suarez and Edinson Cavani is unmatched and their defence features strong, top players like Diego Godin and Jose Gimenez. There isn’t really much more to say here for the group stages. Uruguay definitely have the talent to make a deep run, the question will be how well does the midfield supply Cavani and Suarez, and can they keep their attacking wingbacks from being exploited defensively.

CHELSEA CONNECTIONS

Luis Suarez’s bite mark on Branislav Ivanović — 2013

QUALIFYING FORM

Uruguay finished second in CONCACAF qualifying, behind only group winners Brazil. Excluding a 4-1 home loss to Brazil, Uruguay only conceded 3 goals at home in their other 8 matches while scoring 19 themselves. Their away form was poor, only winning 2 of their 9 away matches, but picking up crucial draws in both Brazil and Colombia.

Played: 18. Won: 9. Drawn: 4. Lost: 5. Goals For: 32. Goals Against: 20. Points: 31.

Media Tour ahead of the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia

The Fixtures

*all times are Moscow Standard Time (UTC +3)

14/6/18 - 6pm - Russia vs. Saudi Arabia - Moscow
15/6/18 - 5pm - Egypt vs. Uruguay - Yekaterinburg
19/6/18 - 9pm - Russia vs. Egypt - Saint Petersburg
20/6/18 - 6pm - Uruguay vs. Saudi Arabia - Rostov-on-Don
25/6/18 - 6pm - Uruguay vs. Russia - Samara
25/6/18 - 5pm - Saudi Arabia vs. Egypt - Volgograd

The Guesswork

Uruguay will win this group fairly comfortably (famous last words). For second place, it will come down whether Mohamed Salah can fire Egypt, if Saudi Arabia’s counter attack flourishes, or if Russia’s midfield shows up. With home-field advantage factored in, I’m banking on the latter.

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