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FIFA World Cup 2018: Group A Preview

With the draws all sorted, lets look ahead to what we will be seeing in Russia this summer, starting with Group A.

By Dom HynesPublished 6 years ago 6 min read
Top Story - December 2017
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Former Arsenal attacker Andrey Arshavin celebrating Russia winning the right to host the 2018 World Cup.

Russia

The hosts will be desperate to impress this summer, having failed to get past the group stages in their last four appearances in the World Cup. The furthest Russia have gone is to the Quarter-Finals, doing so three times, but have not matched this feat since 1970.

Manager & Tactics

After the resignation of Leonid Slutsky following their exit from Euro 2016, former Russian National Team goalkeeper Stanislav Cherchesov has taken the reins.

Cherchesov has previously managed Spartak Moscow, Dynamo Moscow and Legia Warsaw, finding the most success in Poland as he guided Legia to a Ekstraklasa as well as Polish Cup victory.

During his time with Dynamo Moscow and Legia Warsaw, Cherchesov sides would often play from the back, setting up a narrow but fluid team shape, with a focus on the attacking side of the game.

How's their form?

Cherchesov has now been in charge for 16 games, winning five, drawing five and losing six. But, in their previous two fixtures, there have been huge positive signs for Russia, losing narrowly to Argentina before drawing 3-3 with Spain.

The issue for Russia will be that they won't have played a competitive game since June, losing 2-1 to Mexico in the Confederations Cup, and may find themselves behind the rest of the teams at the competition in their preparations.

Key Players

Igor Akinfeev: The Goalkeeper has had more clean sheets than any other keeper in Russian football. Since making his debut in 2004, aged just 18, he has gone on to make over 100 appearances for Russia.

Fyodor Smolov: Krasnodar forward Smolov has been in exceptional form heading into the World Cup, scoring 48 goals in 64 games for the club as well as 11 in 28 for Russia.

Aleksander Kokorin: Zenit's main talisman has been in excellent form this season, hitting five goals in five games in the Europa League as well as ten in 20 league games.

Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia are underdogs not only in the group, but also in the entire tournament, priced at 2000/1 to win the World Cup.

They finished second in their qualifying group and will be hoping they can better their performance that saw them reach the round of 16 in 1994.

Manager & Tactics

The Saudis are led by former Barcelona and Spain forward Juan Antonio Pizzi. The 49-year-old was previously in charge of Chile, having won the Copa America in 2016.

Pizzi’s Chile side played pressing football and would look to quickly snuff out their oppositions attacks before quickly countering with the pace of Alexis Sanchez and Eduardo Vargas.

However, Pizzi will not be blessed with the likes of Sanchez and Arturo Vidal with Saudi Arabia and may look to play a new style with his set of underdogs.

How’s their form?

Saudi Arabia have not played under Pizzi yet, with the Argentinian taking over from Bert van Marwijk who left just days after guiding the Green Falcons to the World Cup after his contract ran out.

The Saudis beat group winners Japan 1-0 to confirm their qualification to the World Cup in their previous fixture, finishing above Australia on goal difference.

Key Players

Osama Hasawi: The Saudis skipper is going into what could be his last World Cup. Since his debut in 2007, Hasawi has played 134 games for the Green Falcons

Mohammad Al-Sahlawi: Al-Sahlawi has been in exceptional goalscoring form for both club and country. He’s scored 100 goals in 175 games for Al Nassr as well as 28 in 35 games the Saudis.

Mukhtar Ali: Having come through the academy system at Chelsea, Ali, naturally, finds himself at Vitesse. The 20-year-old was loaned to the Dutch club with Chelsea hoping to see him develop, but Ali made the move permanent in 2017.

Egypt

Egypt qualified to for the World Cup for the third time, thanks to a stoppage time penalty from Mohammed Salah.

The Liverpool forward put Egypt 2-1 up against Congo to confirm that they would top their group.

Manager & Tactics

Former Inter Milan and Valencia coach Hector Cuper is the man who guided Egypt to their first World Cup since 1990.

Cuper was previously named European Coach of the Year whilst in charge of Valencia, as well as guiding them and Mallorca to Supercopa titles.

Despite reaching their first World Cup in 28 years, there have been numerous criticisms of Cuper’s cautious playing style, with many simplifying their tactics to just “pass it to Salah."

Key Players

Mohamed Salah: The Liverpool winger has been in exceptional form this season for his club and will desperate to replicate it in Russia. Hitting 20 goals in all competitions for Liverpool, all eyes will be on Salah this year.

Mohamed Elneny: Arsenal midfielder Elneny has been a mainstay in the Egyptian side of recent. Despite struggling to break into the Arsenal squad, he will be hugely important for his nation.

Essam El-Hadary: The Al-Taawoun keeper is likely to be the oldest player to feature at the World Cup at 44. El-Hadary will have been dreaming of representing Egypt on the world stage since his debut in 1996.

Uruguay

The Uruguayan’s comfortably qualified in a competitive South American group, finishing second.

The two-time champions will be hoping they can surprise everyone with a surprise push in 2018.

Manager & Tactics

Oscar Tabarez is in charge of Uruguay for the second time in his career, ending his first spell in 1990.

Tabarez began his second reign in 2006, guiding them to the semi-finals in 2010.

Uruguay don’t like to dominate possession and would rather hit teams on the counter with their power in attack, setting up with either a 4-4-2 or 4-3-3.

How’s their form?

Throughout early 2017, Uruguay went through a huge drought, not winning a game for over half a year, with 5 consecutive defeats.

They managed to pull some form together as they got wins over Bolivia and Paraguay to confirm World Cup qualification, but that bad spell still looms over them.

Key Players

Luis Suarez: Most certainly the star of the team is Luis Suarez. The Barcelona forward is Uruguay’s highest ever scorer and would love to add a World Cup to his ever-extending trophy cabinet.

Edison Cavani: Pairing up with Suarez will be PSG’s Edision Cavani. The forward has had an exceptional 2017, scoring 53 goals in all competitions, just one behind Lionel Messi.

Diego Godin: The Uruguay captain has been one of the best defenders in the world since joining Atletico Madrid. His leadership alongside fellow Atletico defender Jose Gimenez will be vital to Uruguay’s fate in Russia.

How will the group go?

Uruguay will be the favourites to win the group going into the tournament, but their recent poor form may see them struggle.

The belief and passion surrounding the Egyptian team, alongside the talent of their talisman, Salah, could be enough to push them across the line.

Russia are a very capable team and are likely to give the likes of Uruguay trouble with their attacking ability.

Despite being massive underdogs, Saudi Arabia will feel that they have what it takes to get out of the group. They have an experienced international coach that could push them to make it out.

My Predicition:

1. Russia

2. Egypt

3. Uruguay

4. Saudi Arabia

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