Russia 2018 Preview - Group C
France - Les Bleus enter Russia 2018 as one of the presumptive favorites, based largely on the (arguably overinflated) reputations of their stars. "Look at their front line!" many pundits say - and it's true that Antoine Griezmann, Olivier Giroud and Kylian Mbappe would walk into many nation's starting XIs. Add that to a squad full of players with Champions League experience, and France would surely have a chance. They start in a group that will represent very little challenge in the initial stages. However, I'm nagged with the feeling that Didier Deschamps may line them up in a conservative manner, which might mean a somewhat slow start. Any slip-ups could mean disaster in the form of a Round of 16 match-up with Argentina.
Australia - Manager Bert van Marwijck will have very modest expectations for the Socceroos this time around, having only qualified for Russia 2018 through a play-off win over Honduras in November. That Tim Cahill, who, at 38, is the oldest out-field player in the tournament, still leads the line says all you need to know about the lack of quality in the side. Watching Australia this summer will be very reminiscent of watching an English Football League match, organized around a rugged defense and midfield phalanx around Villa midfielder and Aussie skipper Mille Jedinak.
Peru - Peru were one of the surprise packages coming out of CONMEBOL qualifying in the fall, arriving at only their fourth Finals appearance by edging out Chile for fifth spot, which allowed them an easy playoff match with New Zealand. Peru will be fascinating to watch this summer, as they're almost entirely unfamiliar to most watchers of European football given that virtually all of their squad members play their club football in Latin America. They're opener against their main rivals in the group, Denmark, will be telling. Win that one and they have a chance of getting out of the group and meeting their South American cousins Argentina in the Round of 16.
Denmark - Age Hareide's Danish Dynamite are the third side in this group who gained qualification through the play-off system, having finished second in UEFA Group E behind Poland and then defeating the Republic of Ireland over two legs. The side has a few quality players with Champions League experience (Sevilla central defender and skipper Simon Kjaer and Chelsea's Thomas Christiansen, for example), but what really makes them tick is Tottenham's playmaker Christian Erickson. He'll have to be at his best in feeding some rather ordinary Ligue 1 and Eredivisie stars up front if they're to trouble France's galacticos. More realistically, they'll see off Peru in order to qualify for the knock-out rounds second in the group.
Predictions - Hard to see France bollixing this one up; they'll finish top, Denmark to place...just; Peru just edged out and the Aussies just happy to be at the party this summer.
posted by The Blue Devil @ 1:39 PM
2 Comments:
I pretty much concur with you regarding Group C. France may not win it all , but should finish ahead of Peru and Denmark, with the Aussies making up the numbers.The only disagreement is minor. Bert Van Marwijck , who took Holland to the 2010 Final, is now in charge of the Aussies. I expect the Danes to edge out Peru for second place because the Danes other than having a player with the Bees and a player with the Tractor Boys, pretty much have players playing in the top leagues with Eriksen the obvious star. My concern with Peru has seven players playing in Mexico and two in MLS, including one with my beloved Orlando City. None at any really top clubs. The Aussies with five Championship players, two playing in the SPL, and several playing in Japan and Korea are obviously journeymen.
Thanks for that anoraking and the correction about the Aussie management, mate. I totally agree with your assessment of this group.
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