Algeria’s captain will look the take the Desert Foxes to the next level in Brazil.
Son aiming to make an impact for Korea in Brazil.
Russia’s new golden boy – Alan Dzagoev
Will Hazard be a hazard to opposition defences?
The 2014 FIFA World Cup looks like a cup filled with World Cup grudge matches. A mixture of matches between nations who have previously played against each other on the world’s biggest stage. Group H is no different with Belgium taking on Russia in a European battle of epic proportions. The always speedy and versatile South Koreans and African journeymen, Algeria, make up the final group of the 2014 FIFA World Cup. Belgium is the newest force in European football after a flawless qualifying campaign. Russia has been the dark horses for a long time, with the nation crying out for another World Cup performance of note – the last being in 1966 when they secured fourth place as the Soviet Union. South Korea will always be remembered as the 2002 miracle hosts when they achieved fourth place. They will need to build a new legacy in 2014 with a crop of new and talented young players. Algeria’s last gasp qualifying campaign has given them a chance at the biggest stage, where they will look to improve on their last outing in 2010.
Belgium
Red Devils on fire for 2014 FIFA World Cup
Belgian football is on a hot streak. They have qualified for their first World Cup since 2002 and under former star players, Marc Wilmots, they have emerged as a strong force and a potential dark horse.
Belgium has been starved of talent for nearly a decade until the likes of Vermaelen, Lukaku, Mirallas and Kompany came to the party. The question is whether they will celebrate triumphs or leave the World Cup with an unexpected early exit. The obvious choice would be to take the former option.
Belgium strength lies in their abundance of depth, especially in midfield and in front of goal. Many talented Belgian players ply their trade in the English Premier League at the main clubs, such a Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea and Everton. The Belgian players will be used to the demands of pressure football against the best players in the world, as most of the players are getting regular game time.
Eden Hazard is one of a crop of talented attacking midfielders, who have rejuvenated Belgian football. Hazard has been a key component at Chelsea for the past two seasons and will be urging to show the world why he is so highly rated. Marouane Fellaini is a strong tackling midfield enforcer, who is also a huge threat up front with his strength and skill in the air. Kevin Mirallas is another star midfielder who has a keen eye for goal. The experience of 37 year old midfielder Timmy Simons will also have an impact on the squad’s atmosphere and could help the young players in pressure situations.
Belgium are settled up front with Romeo Lukaku and Dries Mertens banging in the goals. Belgium have unfortunately lost star striker Christian Benteke to injury a few months before the World Cup, which puts a minor dent in their tournament prospects. Luckily Belgium are strong in defence and in goal. Belgium have experienced skipper Vincent Kompany at the back who will marshal the defence. Alongside Kompany is the veteran Daniel van Buyten who will look to end his career on a high after achieving success with Bayern Munich this season.
Goalkeepers Simon Mignolet and Thibaut Courtois have been in outstanding form for club and country and it looks like Courtois will take the number one jersey at the FIFA World Cup. Belgium are truly blessed in the goalkeeping department.
Pundits expect Belgium to justify their high FIFA world ranking (12) and at least reach the knockout stage of the tournament. A quarter final place is definitely in reach for the Red Devils if they continue playing attacking football.
Key Players
Eden Hazard (Midfielder)
Age: 23
Matches Played: 43 (5)
Club: Chelsea
Thibault Courtois (Goalkeeper)
Age: 21
Matches Played: 14 (0)
Club: Atletico Madrid
Romelu Lukaku (Striker)
Age: 20
Matches Played: 23 (5)
Club: Everton
Algeria
Desert Foxes to turn World Cup dry patch into an oasis?
Algeria has been the anomaly of African football in recent years. This is because Algeria seem to be able to qualify for World Cup tournaments but falter in the African Nations Cup and against lesser nations. Algeria do all the hard yard when qualifying, but then they fail to perform in the big tournaments. A first round exit at the 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2013 African Nations Cup is a testament to this.
Under experienced coach Vahid Halilhodzic they have gained a good team ethic and spirit which has been lacking in previous years. The former coach of Ivory Coast has nestled in well in the North African country and hopes to take the team to the round of 16. Algeria have found a flair for leaving everything to the final minute, as was evidenced in their qualifying win over a devastated Burkina Faso. They will need more of the same determination and never say die attitude to progress further in Brazil.
Captain Madjid Bougherra is the focal point of the team and his performances in defence will form the catalyst for Algeria’s chances in the tournament. His defensive partner, Rafik Halliche, will also bolster Algeria’s defence in the middle. Algeria posses an efficient midfield with Hasan Yebda, Mehdi Lacen and Sofiane Feghouli providing the strength and thrust to stop opposition midfielders in their tracks. Up front Rafik Djebbour will look to score the vital goals to send the nation through to the next round. Algeria’s game play and strategy consists of tough tackling at the back, fast and aggressive wingers and a big striker up front. Simple but effective.
Key Players
Madjid Bougherra
Age: 31
Matches Played: 61 (4)
Club: Lekhwiya
Sofiane Fegouli
Age: 23
Matches Played: 17 (5)
Club: Valencia
Hassan Yebda
Age: 29
Matches Played: 24 (2)
Club: Udinese
South Korea
A new generation of players, a new game, better results?
2002 was South Korea’s year of glory. They co-hosted the FIFA World Cup with Japan and ended up in fourth place overall. It was a massive achievement for the country and the players. Especially for Hong Myung-Bo who had been a dedicated servant for South Korea with 136 caps to his name. Now Hong Myung-Bo is the national team coach who hopes to repeat the success he achieved as a players. Franz Beckenbauer did it for Germany – maybe Bo can do it for South Korea. The respected professional is adored in South Korea and is a favourite among football pundits in Korea. It is still early days, and the team should see the tournament as preparation for the next World Cup when all their young players will be more experienced. Nevertheless, South Korea will look to gain a place in the last 16, as they did in 2010 when they were also in a tough group.
The team has lost the services of star players Park Ji Sung, but have gained the mercurial attacking power of Bayer Leverkusen’s Son Heung Min. The striker is a goal scoring machine and can unlock defences with his pace and eye for goal. The other attacking option is experienced striker Park Chu Young, who has netted 24 times for his country. Lee Chung Yong is another attacking midfielder who will add to the impetus of the team in their tactical game, as he links up well with the strikers.
Ironically, their head coach has a headache in defence, who himself was one of South Korea’s best defenders. This area of South Korea’s game is thread bare and will look to be exploited by their opponents. Hong Jeong Ho, who plays his club football at Augsburg in Germany will look to add some respectability in this department. Cha Du Ri is also an effective attacking right back, but struggles to hold his position at the back and is sometimes caught out. The Koreans will need to use attack as their best form of defence it seems.
Key Players
Park Chu Young
Age: 28
Matches Played: 62 (24)
Club: Watford
Son Heung Min
Age: 21
Matches Played: 23 (6)
Club: Bayer Leverkusen
Lee Chung Yong
Age: 25
Matches Played: 53 (6)
Club: Bolton Wanderers
Russia
Can Russia fulfil their massive potential?
Russia will forever be remembered for their heroics at Euro 2008 where Andrey Arshavin shined, Roman Pavlyuchenko scored and Guus Hiddink strategised. Not one of these men remain in the Russian team’s plans for 2014, but the urge, confidence, talent and aggression still remain, albeit with a different group of players. But Russian football is on the up, with their impressive domestic league luring players to the fields of Moscow and St. Petersburg.
Russia’s hopes now rest on Yuri Zhirkov and Alan Dzagoev, two players with great skills and talent to take Russia into the next round. Dzagoev is the new golden boy of Russian football after the retirement of Arshavin in 2012.
Experienced coach Fabio Capello has gained much praise in Russia for his authoritarian style and his willingness in dropping players who are not giving their utmost for the team. Capello has created a team that is rock solid in defence, but who lack the necessary impetus in front of goal. In defence, Sergei Ignashevich and Vasili Berezutski will form the iron curtain. Defensive winger Alexander Anyukov will provide burst of attacking flair to the midfielder while also forming part of the aforementioned solid Russian defence.
Igor Akinfeev also continues the Russian lineage of outstanding goalkeepers. Akinfeev recently set a national team record when he kept a clean sheet for 12 consecutive hours, or approximately 6 matches. Akinfeev will look to his heroes of the past in order to make a bigger and inspiring impact at the World Cup. 48 years ago Lev Yashin was an unstoppable goalkeeper for the USSR, and was dubbed the Black Panther for his distinctive black goalkeeping kit. Yashin’s heroics lead to a third place finish in England that year.
Brazil is a far cry from the cold Russian conditions, but they will have to adapt, or face early and unexpected elimination. Russia has all the talent, team ethics and strategy to make a big impact at the 2014 World Cup. It will be left to the players on the field to produce results.
Key Players
Igor Akinfeev
Age: 28
Matches Played: 66 (0)
Club: CSKA Moscow
Sergei Ignashevich
Age: 34
Matches Played: 94 (5)
Club: CSKA Moscow
Alan Dzagoev
Age: 23
Matches Played: 30 (8)
Club: CSKA Moscow
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