Countdown: Introducing Group H on World Cup
In Group H are leading two teams (Belgium and Russia), and many expect that they pass on. However, it is certain that the in advance should not write off always awkward South Korea, while Algeria considered by many as an outsider
In one of the relatively easier groups to call in the tournament, this
group is only exciting because of the young talents on offer. In
Belgium, we have an up-and-coming team with some of the most talented
midfielders in Europe at the moment; with Eden Hazard, Kevin de Bruyne
and Nacer Chadli backed up by the massive Marouane Fellaini and the
expensive Axel Witsel, Belgium has proven that it is certainly no
pushovers.
Thibaut Courtois is also one of the best goalkeepers in
Europe at the moment, and with star defenders Jan Vertonghen and Vincent
Kompany at the rearguard, Belgium look set to qualify even if
Fellaini’s afro get’s so long it covers his eyes.
Algeria is another team with many doubts hanging around them; requiring
to go to the play-offs to qualify, the team has yet to win a game in the
World Cup. This may be their second consecutive (and third overall)
appearance at the finals, but it certainly does not look like their stay
would get any longer; apart from the Inter Milan duo Saphir Taïder and
Ishak Belfodil, and the talented Valencia winger Sofiane Feghouli,
Algeria frankly has little chance of making any impact at the World Cup.
On the other hand, Russia is an interesting entity; following their
success at Euro 2008 led by a certain Andrey Arshavin (Arsenal fans,
remember him?), the subcontinent failed to qualify for the World Cup in
South Africa before crashing out meekly in the group stages of Euro
2012.
Back again this time around, they are led by none other than Fabio
Capello, one of the most decorated managers of all time whose
achievements include two La Ligas, five Serie As and the UEFA Champions
League among others, his most noteworthy to date being to lead England
to the World Cup (with their whining and histrionics, this is quite
something).
This Russian team is pretty impressive too, with Igor
Akinfeev having just gone 12 hours without conceding a goal and the
hot prospect Alan Dzagoev, whose trickery could be a game-changer when
he is fit.
South Korea is an interesting proposition as well, with them heading
into their ninth (and eighth consecutive!) World Cup finals. With a
growing presence in Europe and the Premier League, South Korea boasts
talents such as Lee Chung-Yong and Kim Bo-Kyung, along with other
European-based players such as the young star Son Heung-Min and
Sunderland midfielder Ki Sung-Yueng.
Yet, the journey to Brazil has not
been easy, with poor performances prompting the resignation of coach
Choi Kang-Hee. New manager Hong Myung-Bo was the captain of the Korean
side which finished fourth at the World Cup in 2002, but it looks
unlikely that Korea will go any further than the group stage this time
around.
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