CNW World Cup analysis- Groups D, E, F

GROUP D Argentina Iceland Croatia Nigeria

This may be considered one of the most competitive groups. It will certainly not come as any surprise if we should get this all wrong, as in my opinion, there’s no clear favorite in this group.

Argentina
Argentina have limped into this World Cup based solely on the magic of their number 10, Lionel Messi.

Messi continues to be, in my opinion, the number one player in the world. However, his supporting cast have not helped him in the past to secure a South American Championship nor a World Cup title, having lost in the last two finals to Chile in 2010 and to Germany in 2014.

This will be Messi last chance for redemption and he is certainly faced with a large mountain to climb if he hopes to finally lift the World Cup for his beloved Argentina.
Argentina’s first hurdle will be to get out of this competitive group and Messi will be hoping for the likes of Angel Di Maria in mid-field; Sergio Aguero up-front and Nicholas Otamendi in defense, to turn up to the party. If these players come and perform to the best of their ability, then Argentina should take this Group and advance to the round of sixteen.

Iceland
Iceland, one of the surprise countries at the last European Championship, should not be under estimated. Although they can be considered the minnows of the group, it would not be a surprise if they gain points that will be detrimental to others in the group. With no real household names in their line-up, Iceland relied upon country pride and team spirit to arrive in Russia.

Croatia should know a lot about them and the great treat they provide, having finished runners up to Iceland in their European World Cup qualifying group. Iceland players to watch include: Gylfi Sirgurdsson in mid-field; Alfred Finnbogason up-front and Birkir Mar Saevarsson in defense.

Croatia
Croatia is one of the dark horses of this World Cup, with a chance of going all the way. Having finished second in their Group behind Iceland, they defeated Greece by 4-1 on aggregate to advance to the big bash.

Croatia’s strength lies in the mid-field and attack. Their team is blessed with talented and seasoned players such as Luka Modric and Ivan Rakitic, who are expected to provide control in the mid-field area and help the gifted attacking trio that Croatia possesses in Mario Mandzukic, Ivan Perisic and Ante Rebic.

Croatia’s defense is led by Dejan Lovren and can be considered steady at best. But if the lessons learned from their qualification are adhered to, then they should advance from this group. It will be wise of all competing countries not to take this Croatian team as easy pickings, and if they do, they may do so at their own peril.

Nigeria
Nigeria overcame a strong African qualifying group with the likes of Cameroon, Zambia and Algeria. But having reached the World Cup, they will need to be at their best to advance to the next round from this Group.

Nigeria’s strength is in their mid-field, led by the experienced Jon Mikel Obi and with the talented pair of John Ogu and Alew Iwobi, the Nigerians can be a force to reckoned with. However, it is in attack that they seem lacking, not having a lethal goal scorer. Forwards Victor Moses, Odion Ighalo and company will need to be at their best to get the necessary goals for the Nigerians to advance from the group.

Nigeria will depend heavily on the young and talented goalkeeper Francis Uzoho, behind a reasonable but not brilliant defense line, to see off their opponents’ attacks.
My prediction is that when the dust is settled, is Argentina will be topping the group ahead of Croatia.

GROUP E
Brazil
Switzerland
Costa Rica
Serbia

This Group features the team that has the support of many Caribbean fans and the favorites to lift the cup, Brazil.

Brazil
Brazil advanced to the World Cup by easily topping the South American World Cup qualification.

Brazil comes to the Word Cup with what can considered the best team. This squad is well balanced, has all-round strength and possess extremely talented players in every aspect of play.

Brazil, aka the Samba Boys, are on a mission of redemption to reclaim their country’s pride, after suffering a 7-1 humiliated defeat at the hands to Germany on home territory at the last World Cup.

Led by the skillful and super talented, Neymar Jr., a player who I consider the next king of the game, the Brazilians are expected to be too strong for their opponents and should make light work of the competition in this group.

Neymar should be supported by an all -star cast of Gabriel Jesus and Roberto Firmino in attack; Casemiro, Fernandinho, Philippe Coutinho and Douglas Costa in mid-field; Thiago Silva, Marcelo and Miranda, and in goal one of the best goalkeeper’s in the world, Alisson.
The samba beat is playing, and expectations are high as the boys from Brazil begin their quest to gain their sixth hold on the World Cup.

Switzerland
Switzerland are in contention to advance from the group but will have to be at their best. The Swiss finished second with the same number of points as group winners Portugal in their European qualifying group. They advanced by overcoming Ireland 1-0 on aggregate.
The Swiss possess a strong, well-organized defensive unit that have only allowed 7 goals in qualification.

The teams attacking treat lies with mid-fielders Granit Xhaka and the skillful playmaker, Granit Xhaka. The Swiss does not possess a lethal striker or consistent goal scorer and must rely on team play to get the necessary goals and get the job done.

Costa Rica
Costa Rica was one of the bright spots and surprise team at the last World Cup, making it to the quarter finals. In Keylor Navas, Costa Rica possesses one of the world’s top goalkeepers. The Costa Ricans advanced to the World Cup finishing second behind Mexico in the CONCACAF qualifying.

The Ticos, as they are called by their fellow countrymen and fans, may not possess individual star players but as a unit are well organized and coached. This team is matured, and a number of these players are heading towards the end of their World Cup careers and will want to leave in a memorial and historic way.

In mid-fielder Bryan Ruiz, forward Joel Campbell, and defender Oscar Duarte, the Ticos possess quality players and on field leadership. Along with captain, Keylor Navas, the Ticos should prove competitive in this group.

Serbia
Serbia topped their European Group and gained automatic qualification to the World Cup. The Serbs come into the tournament under a cloud, having sacked Coach Slavoljub Muslin, who led the team to the World Cup. He has been replaced by Mladen Krstajić.
With this change of coach, the team seems a little disjointed. However, The Serbs possess experienced players in every section of the field: Aleksandar Kolarov and Branislav Ivanovic in defense; Nemanja Matic and Dusan Tadicin mid-field and Aleksandar Mitrovic in attack. With these players, along with the young and upcoming talented players selected in the squad and if Serbia can get their team structure right, they will have something to say.

My prediction, however, is Brazil topping the group with Serbia as runners up.

GROUP F
Germany
Mexico
Sweden
South Korea

Germany
Germany, the defending champion, will try to do what only Brazil has done - win back-to-back World Cup titles.

This will be asking a lot, but everyone should know by now that the Germans can never be counted out. Germany comes to the World Cup topping their qualifying European group and winning all their matches.

The Germans are definitely one of the favorites to lift the World Cup and should have little problem in topping and advancing from this group. They possess a well balance squad with a blend of experience and youth.

However, if there is a weakness, it the lack of a lethal goal scorer and a skillful forward to break down opposition in one-on-one situations.

In Manuel Neuer and Marc-Andre ter Stegen, the Germans possess two excellent world class goalkeepers.

Mats Hummels and Jerome Boateng are expected to anchor the defense, allowing the deadly German mid-fielders of Toni Kroos, Mesut Ozil, Thomas Muller and Marco Reus to reap havoc on their opponents. They will be hard to beat.

Mexico
Mexico are the CONCACAF kingpins and remain, in my opinion, CONCACAF’s only chance of advancing beyond the group stages. This won’t be an easy task and EL Trio, the name that their loving and supporting countrymen call them, are expected to battle with Sweden for the runners-up spot.

Mexico has a pretty decent squad and should prove quite competitive. With Guillermo Ochoa in goal and the likes of Carlos Salcedo, Hector Moreno and Hugo Ayala in defense, El Trio will be well served in defense.

It is in midfield that the Mexicans possess technically gifted players such as Hector Herrera, Andres Guardado, and brothers Jonathan Dos Santos and Giovani Dos Santos. These players can be a handful on any day.
With Carlos Vela and Javier Hernandez in attack, they pack enough power and class to advance.

Sweden
Sweden finished second to France in their European qualifying group before knocking out the dangerous Italy, 1-0 in aggregate.

With the retirement of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Sweden no longer has a superstar. However, what this team has is a strong fighting spirit and a solid defensive unit. They are a well-organized and well-coached team that plays on the counter attack. This team will prove difficult to break down.

In Marcus Berg, Sweden possesses a proven goal scorer and with the skillful and speedy wide mid-fielder Emil Forsberg expected to provide him with goal scoring opportunity, Sweden’s hopes remain high.

South Korea
South Korea advanced to the World Cup from Group A of the Asian qualification, finishing runners up to Iran. The Koreans finds themselves the least fancied of the Group. It will provide extremely difficult for South Korea to advance from this group. Their hope will hinge on a victory in their opening game against Sweden.

In Son Heung-Min, South Korea has a player with immense talent and South Korea’s slim hopes to advance from this group weighs heavily on his shoulders.

My prediction is that Germany will top the group and Mexico will claim second spot.