Group
F of the 2018 FIFA World Cup looks quite competitive as it consists of the
reigning champions Germany who joins Mexico, Sweden and South Korea. Except
Germany, the remaining three teams will fight for qualifying the second round
as runners-up. The matches of this group will be played between 17 and 27 June
2018.
Germany:
Defending
champion, Germany, will start their World Cup campaign with a hope of retaining
the trophy. Adding one more title to their name will not only make them the
second team after Brazil to win the trophy back-to-back but also will help
equal Brazil’s record of winning the trophy five times- 1958, 1962, 1970, 1994
and 2002. The current squad of the Germany national football team is considered
much stronger than the side that won the title in 2014.
Their
recent form in international football has made them one of the probable
countries to become champion this summer. Germany lost to host nation France in
the semi-final at the Euro 2016. However, they made a strong come back in the
recently concluded 2017 Confederations Cup where they emerged winners. They won
all 10 of their matches and scored 43 goals while conceded only 4 in the World
Cup qualifiers. They are likely to carry this form in the World Cup. To avoid a
probable clash with Brazil in the Round of 16, the Germans would try to finish
first in the group stage.
Joachim
Low led Germany squad looks quite impressive and balanced. There are many young
but promising players in the squad along with experienced players who were part
of the winning team. Jerome Boateng (Bayern Munich), Mesut Ozil (Arsenal), Timo
Werner (RB Leipzig), Toni Kroos (Real Madrid), Thomas Muller (Bayern Munich)
and Mats Hummels (Bayern Munich) are few players who are expected to steal the
show. In the qualification process, 21 different players scored for Germany.
So, getting goals will not be that much difficult for them. Unlike most
countries, they will not heavily depend on any one star player. It will be a
very difficult task for the team manager to select the starting XI.
This
will be Germany’s 18th World Cup appearance.
Mexico:
Most
probably Mexico will grab the second spot in the group. However, it will not be
an easy task as they will have to face Sweden and South Korea who are likely to
make tough competition. They may beat Korea with an ease, but taking on Sweden
will not be that much easy and their match against the Sweden will decide their
fate in the group.
Mexico
showed their impressive form in the World Cup qualifiers, winnings 6 matches
out of 10 while drew three and lose only one. It is their 16th
appearance in the tournament. Key players Carlos Vela and Javier Hernandez will
make a strong attacking option.
Sweden:
Sweden
is hard to predict. They will make their 12th World Cup appearance
and first in 12 years. They last appeared at the 2006 FIFA World Cup in
Germany. They are very much desperate to put on a show in Russia and go as far
as possible. Their main challenge will be Mexico. A victory against them will
help them move past the group stage.
Sweden’s
goal machine Zlatan Ibrahimovic has already taken retirement from the sport.
However, his vacant place will be replaced by Marcus Berg, who is expected to
play the vital role for his team.
South
Korea:
South Korea, who finished second
in the Asian qualifiers, ensured their ninth consecutive World Cup presence. It
is obviously a significant record for a team with a very few global stars.
In their 10 qualifier matches, they
won 4 while drew three and lost the remaining three matches. In the
qualification process, they scored 11 goals and conceded 10. This performance
will surely put them as underdogs. Their best performance was at the 2002 World
Cup when they finished fourth on home soil.
Their
key player is Tottenham’s Heung-Min Son. He has just become the first Asian
player to finish among the top ten goal scorers in the Premier League.
|
Date
|
Teams
|
Time
|
Venue
|
|
17
June 2018
|
Germany
vs Mexico
|
18:00
MSK
|
Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow
|
|
18
June 2018
|
Sweden
vs South Korea
|
15:00
MSK
|
Nizhny Novgorod Stadium, Nizhny Novgorod
|
|
23
June 2018
|
South
Korea vs Mexico
|
18:00
MSK
|
Rostov Arena, Rostov-on-Don
|
|
23
June 2018
|
Germany
vs Sweden
|
21:00
MSK
|
Fisht Olympic Stadium, Sochi
|
|
27
June 2018
|
South
Korea vs Germany
|
17:00
MSK
|
Kazan Arena, Kazan
|
|
27
June 2018
|
Mexico
vs Sweden
|
19:00
YEKT
|
Central Stadium, Yekaterinburg
|
Source-
#Group_F #FIFA_World_Cup_2018 #Germany #Mexico #Sweden #South_Korea
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