gillsminnow Posted June 5, 2014 Share Posted June 5, 2014 Group H Group H looks on paper to be one of the most evenly weighted sections, though European duo Belgium and Russia will kick off as slight favourites against Algeria and Korea Republic, two teams undergoing a period of transition. The teams Between them, the four sides in Group H have appeared in 28 separate FIFA World Cups™. Belgium are the most experienced thanks to their 11 previous campaigns, even if they have not taken part since Korea/Japan 2002, while Korea Republic have appeared nine times, Russia five and Algeria four. As a result, no one team is likely to have everything their own way, although Belgium will be hoping to live up to the expectations raised by their golden generation of players and a coach adept at getting the best out of them. For their part, Russia will also travel to Brazil with lofty ambitions, the 2018 hosts side keen to perform before welcoming the world for the following edition. Korea Republic are one of three teams in the group, along with Belgium and Russia, to have progressed to the semi-finals, with Guus Hiddink having led them to the last four on home soil in 2002. As for Algeria, they will be desperate to find the net after failing to score a single goal in their three group games at South Africa 2010, which included a 0-0 stalemate against an England side managed by current Russia coach Fabio Capello. Players to watch Eden Hazard (BEL), Romelu Lukaku (BEL), Marouane Fellaini (BEL), Sofiane Feghouli (ALG), Saphir Taider (ALG), Kim Bo-Kyung (KOR), Koo Ja-Cheol (KOR), Park Chu-Young (KOR), Igor Akinfeev (RUS), Aleksandr Kokorin (RUS) The crunch match Belgium-Russia: Top spot in the section could well be decided when the two European hopefuls lock horns at the Maracana on 22 June. In terms of past encounters, Russia hold the edge, having faced Belgium eight times as an independent nation or part of the Soviet Union and recorded a quartet of wins, along with one draw and three defeats. The picture is a little different on the World Cup stage, however, with both sides posting a pair of victories from their four previous jousts. In addition, Belgium have not lost to Russia since 1982. A look back Soviet Union-Belgium, 15 June 1986, Leon / Nou Camp - Estadio Leon One of the most memorable encounters in World Cup history, the Round of 16 classic between Belgium and the Soviet Union at Mexico 1986 attained a level of drama and intensity few other knockout games have ever matched. Three goals were scored in extra time alone as the Red Devils ultimately prevailed 4-3, with Enzo Scifo, Jan Ceulemans, Stephane Demol and Roger Claessen all getting on the scoresheet for the victors. Belgium went on to reach the semi-finals, where they were finally stopped in their tracks by eventual winners Argentina and a Diego Maradona at the peak of his powers. Did you know? As a player, Russia coach Fabio Capello won 32 caps for Italy between 1972 and 1976. He has held the reins at some of the biggest clubs in world football, including AC Milan, Real Madrid, Roma and Juventus, and secured World Cup spots with both England and Russia – but he has never coached his homeland on the international stage. The stat 8 – This is the eighth consecutive time Korea Republic have qualified for a World Cup final tournament. Fixtures 17 June 2014 Belgium v Algeria, Estadio Mineirao, Belo Horizonte, 17:00 (ITV) 17 June 2014 Russia v South Korea, Arena Pantanal, Cuiaba, 23:00 (BBC) 22 June 2014 Belgium v Russia, Estadio do Maracana, Rio de Janeiro, 17:00 (BBC) 22 June 2014 South Korea v Algeria, Estadio Beira-Rio, Porto Alegre, 20:00 (ITV) 26 June 2014 South Korea v Belgium, Arena de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, 21:00 (ITV) 26 June 2014 Algeria v Russia, Arena da Baixada, Curitiba, 21:00 (ITV) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gillsminnow Posted June 5, 2014 Author Share Posted June 5, 2014 Algeria Location: Africa Status: UN Member Country Capital City: Algiers (Al Jaza’ir) Main Cities: Oran, Constantine, Annaba, Blida Population: 27,815,000 Area: 2,381,740 km2 Currency: 1 Algerian dinar = 100 centimes Languages: Arabic, Berber Religions: Sunni Muslim National Anthem [video=youtube_share;g8mA4L4ZeA8]http://youtu.be/g8mA4L4ZeA8 Shirts Prospects Write off Algeria at your peril. No longer World Cup whipping boys, the Desert Foxes are boosted by a stronger professional league, improving standards at grassroots level and an influx of emigre players with Algerian parents or ancestry. Zinedine Zidane, Karim Benzema and Samir Nasri have all previously slipped through Algeria's net. The Greens will be hoping they have turned off that particular tap that has been flowing in the direction of France, and with it enhanced their own standing in world football. World Cup stars of yesteryear Diego Maradona and Rivaldo, as well as Javier Zanetti, have been queuing up to sing the virtues of the Greens' class of 2014 - the only Arab nation present in Brazil. Maradona predicts Algeria "will cause a surprise", while Rivaldo says "the possibilities of reaching the second round are abundant". Key player France-born Sofiane Feghouli, 24, is an attacking midfielder or winger for Valencia who was described by Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger a year ago as "exceptional" and "a physical beast". The boss Bosnian Vahid Halilhodzic, 61, took charge in July 2011 and the disciplinarian has cast aside several established players in favour of a new generation, many of whom represented France at youth level. Brazil will be his World Cup bow as a coach, having been sacked by Ivory Coast three months before the 2010 finals. How they qualified Algeria were the last African qualifiers, beating Cup of Nations finalists Burkina Faso 1-0 in the second leg of their play-off to advance on away goals after a 3-2 first-leg defeat. They won all but one game in the previous group stage. World Cup record In 1982, Algeria became the first African nation to win two matches in the same finals, but they failed to qualify from the group on goal difference after Germany and Austria contrived a result that allowed them both to progress. Algeria have not won a game in their subsequent two finals (1986 and 2010). Fifa ranking: 25 (correct to 6 June) Squad Goalkeepers: Rais Mbolhi (CSKA Sofia), Cedric Si Mohamed (CS Constantine), Mohamed Lamine Zemmamouche (USM Alger). Defenders: Essaid Belkalem (Watford, on loan from Granada), Madjid Bougherra (Lekhwya Club), Liassine Cadamuro (Mallorca), Faouzi Ghoualm (Napoli), Rafik Halliche (Academica Coimbra), Aissa Mandi (Stade Reims), Carl Medjani (Valenciennes), Djamel Mesbah (Livorno), Mehdi Mostefa (AC Ajaccio). Midfielders: Nabil Bentaleb (Tottenham), Yasine Brahimi (Granada), Medhi Lacen (Getafe), Saphir Taider (Inter Milan), Hassan Yebda (Udinese). Forwards: Abdelmoumene Djabou (Club Africain), Sofiane Feghouli (Valencia), Nabil Ghilas (Porto), Riyad Mahrez (Leicester City), Islam Slimani (Sporting Lisbon, Portugal), Hilal Soudani (Dinamo Zagreb). Possible Starting 11 and Formation tbc Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gillsminnow Posted June 5, 2014 Author Share Posted June 5, 2014 Belgium Location: Europe Status: UN Member Country Capital City: Brussels (Bruxelles) Main Cities: Antwerp, Ghent, Charleroi, Liège Population: 10,020,000 Area: 30,520 km2 Currency: 1 euro = 100 cents Languages: Flemish (Dutch), French, German Religions: Roman Catholic National Anthem [video=youtube_share;d9u_Ituu2Q8] Shirts Style & formation Belgium gave a series of controlled and powerful displays throughout qualifying. Disciplined defensively, they are prepared to be patient but look to break with pace. A feature of their usual 4-2-3-1 system is the frequent positional interchanging between the three attacking midfielders. Strengths Their, er, strength for one thing; Belgium are a physically imposing side and seldom outmuscled. They also have an abundance of versatile attacking players and, crucially, a tight-knit team spirit instilled by coach Marc Wilmots. Weaknesses Marc Wilmots has expressed concern that regular starters such as Thomas Vermaelen, Kevin De Bruyne, Nacer Chadli and Marouane Fellaini are suffering from a lack of playing time at club level. Vincent Kompany's commanding presence in central defence was sorely missed in recent back-to-back friendly defeats at home, while the wide players like to drift infield and do not routinely help out with defensive duties - which can leave the full-backs exposed. Key player Chelsea's Eden Hazard, 23, has generally flourished under Marc Wilmots after a previously underwhelming contribution to the national side. A superb technician with an explosive turn of pace, the playmaker is Belgium's key creator. The boss A celebrated player, and then a less successful politician, Marc Wilmots became national coach in June 2012 after three years as an assistant. His managerial CV was restricted to undistinguished spells at Schalke and Belgian side St Truiden, but he did guide Belgium from 54th to a best-ever fifth in the Fifa rankings. How they qualified In emphatic fashion, registering a national record seven successive qualifying wins during an unbeaten campaign. World Cup record Belgium qualified for six straight World Cups from 1982 to 2002, reaching the knockout phase five times and coming fourth in 1986. Fifa ranking: 12 (correct to 6 June) Squad Goalkeepers: Thibaut Courtois (Atletico Madrid, on loan from Chelsea), Simon Mignolet (Liverpool), Sammy Bossut (Zulte Waregem). Defenders: Toby Alderweireld (Atletico Madrid), Laurent Ciman (Standard Liege), Nicolas Lombaerts (Zenit St Petersburg), Vincent Kompany (Manchester City), Daniel Van Buyten (Bayern Munich), Anthony Vanden Borre (Anderlecht), Thomas Vermaelen (Arsenal), Jan Vertonghen (Tottenham). Midfielders: Nacer Chadli, Mousa Dembele (both Tottenham), Steven Defour (Porto), Kevin De Bruyne (Wolfsburg), Marouane Fellaini, Adnan Januzaj (both Manchester United), Eden Hazard (Chelsea), Kevin Mirallas (Everton), Divock Origi (Lille), Axel Witsel (Zenit St Petersburg). Forwards: Romelu Lukaku (Everton, on loan from Chelsea), Dries Mertens (Napoli). Possible Starting 11 and Formation tbc Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gillsminnow Posted June 5, 2014 Author Share Posted June 5, 2014 Russia Location: Europe / Asia Status: UN Member Country Capital City: Moscow (Moskva) Main Cities: St. Petersburg, Yekaterinburg, Vladivostok, Nizhny Novgorod Population: 149,476,000 Area: 17,075,000 km2 Currency: 1 ruble = 100 kopeks Languages: Russian Religions: Russian Orthodox, Muslim, Buddhist National Anthem [video=youtube_share;AOAtz8xWM0w] Shirts Prospects Fabio Capello and Russia work to each other's strengths. Of their potential starters at the World Cup, nine boast 40 caps or more. The miserly back-line predominantly come from CSKA Moscow, while perennial Champions League dark horses Zenit St Petersburg provide the rest of the spine. For the most part, Capello only calls up Russian-based players so he has got to know his squad and their strengths quickly. The midfield is key of them, playing high-tempo, pressing football. Yet their Achilles heel can be when they are subjected to it themselves. Key player Goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev recently set a national team record by going 12 hours without conceding a goal. Once tipped as a future world star, his career with CSKA Moscow has been held back by two serious knee injuries. The boss Former England boss Fabio Capello inherited a side that had been meekly eliminated from Euro 2012. He quickly instilled a greater mental fortitude into the team and dropped fading force Andrey Arshavin. The Italian's authoritarian style divided opinion in England, but has earned approval in Russia - he has been given an extended contract until 2018. How they qualified Despite back-to-back defeats by Portugal and Northern Ireland, they edged the former to win Group F by a point. They conceded just five times in 10 games. World Cup record The USSR were semi-finalists in 1966 and quarter-finalists in 1958, 1962 and 1970. But their achievements since the fall of the Berlin Wall - tame group-stage exits in 1990, 1994 and 2002 - show a footballing superpower in decline. Fifa ranking: 18 (correct to 6 June) Squad Goalkeepers: Igor Akinfeev (CSKA Moscow), Yury Lodygin (Zenit St Petersburg), Sergey Ryzhikov (Rubin Kazan). Defenders: Vasili Berezutskiy (CSKA Moscow), Vladimir Granat (Dynamo Moscow), Andrey Eshchenko (Anzhi Makhachkala), Sergey Ignashevich (CSKA Moscow), Alexey Kozlov (Dynamo Moscow), Dmitry Kombarov (Spartak Moscow), Andrey Semenov (Terek Grozny), Georgi Schennikov (CSKA Moscow). Midfielders: Denis Glushakov (Spartak Moscow), Igor Denisov (Dynamo Moscow), Alan Dzagoev (CSKA Moscow), Yury Zhirkov (Dynamo Moscow), Alexey Ionov (Dynamo Moscow), Alexander Samedov (Lokomotiv Moscow), Victor Faizulin (Zenit St Petersburg), Oleg Shatov (Zenit St Petersburg), Roman Shirokov (Krasnodar). Forwards: Maxim Kanunnikov (Amkar Perm), Alexander Kerzhakov (Zenit St Petersburg), Alexander Kokorin (Dynamo Moscow). Possible Starting 11 and Formation tbc Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gillsminnow Posted June 5, 2014 Author Share Posted June 5, 2014 South Korea Location: Asia Status: UN Member Country Capital City: Seoul (Soul) Main Cities: Pusan, Taegu, Inchon Population: 44,843,000 Area: 99,020 km2 Currency: 1 won = 100 jeon (no longer used) Languages: Korean Religions: Buddhist, Protestant, Roman Catholic, Confucianist National Anthem [video=youtube_share;BxhWHfo0Gvc] Shirts Prospects When South Korea and Japan were awarded the 2002 World Cup as co-hosts it was with a view to spreading the football gospel. To provide better coaching, facilities and infrastructure not only for both countries but for Asian football as a whole. South Korea certainly embraced the gift given to them by Fifa. Their coach Hong Myung-bo was part of Dutchman Guus Hiddink's fourth-placed finishers at that tournament. Two further Dutch coaches followed, as did several South Korean playing exports to western European club sides. Once seen as whipping boys, the Taeguk Warriors are anything but these days and are seen as genuine challengers to qualify. This is their eighth consecutive World Cup finals appearance and they have progressed past the group stage in two of the last three editions. Key player Playmaker Son Heung-min joined Bayer Leverkusen from Hamburg last summer for a club-record £8.5m fee. He has found goals hard to come by at the BayArena but is still only 21. The boss Hong Myung-bo is a South Korea hero; captain of their 2002 World Cup squad that finished fourth, he was named by Pele in 2003 as one of the greatest 125 living footballers. He led South Korea to a bronze medal at the London Olympics and was the natural choice to take over a country looking for leadership last summer. He has done so confidently, with a new direction and without fanfare. How they qualified They edged Uzbekistan on goal difference to claim the second qualification spot in Asian Group A, ending two points behind Iran. However, laboured performances, including defeat at home to Iran and away to Lebanon, prompted coach Choi Kang-hee to quit at the end of the campaign. World Cup record They have made group stage exits in six of eight tournaments. They rode their luck to reach the semi-finals on home soil in 2002, and lost to Uruguay in the last 16 in 2010. Fifa ranking: 55 (correct to 6 June) Squad Goalkeepers: Jung Sung-ryeong (Suwon Bluewings), Kim Seung-gyu (Ulsan Horang-i), Lee Bum-young (Busan I'Park) Defenders: Yun Suk-young (QPR), Kim Young-kwon (Guangzhou Evergrande), Hwang Seok-ho (Sanfrecce Hiroshima), Hong Jeong-ho (Augsburg), Kwak Tae-hwi (Al Hilal), Lee Yong (Ulsan Horang-i), Kim Chang-soo (Kashiwa Reysol), Park Joo-ho (Mainz) Midfielders: Ki Seung-yueng (Sunderland, on loan from Swansea), Ha Dae-sung (Beijing Guoan), Han Kook-young (Kashiwa Reysol), Park Jung-woo (Guangzhou R&F), Son Heung-min (Bayer Leverkusen), Kim Bo-kyung (Cardiff City), Lee Chung-yong (Bolton Wanderers), Ji Dong-won (Augsburg). Forwards: Koo Ja-cheol (Mainz), Lee Keun-ho (Sangju Sangmu), Park Chu-young (Arsenal), Kim Shin-wook (Ulsan Horang-i). Possible Starting 11 and Formation tbc Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Razzler Posted June 5, 2014 Share Posted June 5, 2014 The Group of LOL Not sure how good this current Korean side is? Nice win for ALgeria over Romania (2-1) yesterday I wonder if Capello learnt anything from his time with England at a tournament? Wonder if he's treated the Ruskies any differently Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SI Staff Dean Gripton Posted June 5, 2014 SI Staff Share Posted June 5, 2014 I think, out of all the true underdogs in this competition, that Algeria are probably one of the most ignored. I really fancy them to qualify out of this group. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robokid87 Posted June 5, 2014 Share Posted June 5, 2014 I think, out of all the true underdogs in this competition, that Algeria are probably one of the most ignored. I really fancy them to qualify out of this group. I'm not the only one! \o/ Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LilSaint Posted June 5, 2014 Share Posted June 5, 2014 I think, out of all the true underdogs in this competition, that Algeria are probably one of the most ignored. I really fancy them to qualify out of this group. Ahead of who? I'm actually not that familiar with the recent form of Russia or Korea tbh Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.