AuthorJeffEyesRimmer Often regarded as the forerunner for the World Cup; the Confederations Cup acts a bit of a test run for the host nation. Often considered more of a distraction but it seems that the majority of sides are taking this competition seriously this year, with most of the teams sending their strongest squads. The winners from the various football associations around the world will compete over the next few weeks. The 10th iteration of this competition will be held in Russia and is contested by the holders of each of the six (UEFA, CONMEBOL,CONCACAF, CAF, AFC, OFC) regional championships, along with the FIFA World Cup holder and the host nation, to bring the number of teams up to eight. Below is a preview of the sides and how I think they will go in the tournament. Group A
Russia Russia is at the tournament as host and much will depend on Fyodor Smolov; the Russian league’s top scorer for the past two seasons will hope to continue his excellent run. What makes his 38 goals in those two seasons great is that he’s not playing for one of the ‘big’ teams in the league, Smolov plays for Krasnodar. This is a major chance for Russia to achieve some level of redemption after the debacle that was the Euros 2016. They will be hoping to impress on home soil and they have arguably the easiest game to begin with against New Zealand to kick off the tournament. Their recent results have been mixed though; as losses to Costa Rica (3-4) and Qatar (2-1) do not suggest championship contenders. They have a decent squad and in Artem Dzyuba they have another striker that could cause problems. However, I don’t think it a team that will pose a threat to the two big name teams in their group. Portugal Their talisman Ronaldo will not be in Russia but in some ways that could be an opportunity for others to stamp their mark on this team. Portugal were actually better in the Euro 2016 final against France when Ronaldo actually left the field injured. This could be an opportunity for the likes of Gelson Martins and Bernardo Silva to impress without being overshadowed by Ronaldo. They have one of the best squads at this tournament and there should be optimism in the Portuguese camp to add the Confederations Cup to the Euro crown. I think they might be just pipped to the post though. Mexico Another side that I think might be a big threat in this tournament. Mexico have won the Confederations Cup before (in 1999) and are the most experienced side in this tournament, having played in it six times. They were the winners of the CONCACAF region, beating the United States to reach this tournament. They have sent their strongest squad possible and in Javier Hernández they have a proven goal scorer at club and international level. I think it will be between Mexico and Portugal for top spot in this group. One player who will be looking for a big tournament is Marco Fabian; the Eintracht Frankfurt player has had a good season in Germany and this might be a chance to put himself in the shop window. New Zealand Arguably the weakest side on paper in this tournament, they needed a penalty shootout victory against Papa New Guinea in the Oceania region to claim their spot in the Confederations Cup. Their coach Anthony Hudson is correct when he said ‘no one expects anything from us’ and that could certainly work in their favour. Chris Wood will be expected to lead the line after leading the English Championships goal scoring charts, grabbing 27 goals this season for Leeds United. They will be up against Russia in the first game and that will be a chance for them to cause an upset. Hopefully we will get to see youngster Bill Tuiloma in action too. The youngster plays for Marseille and was on loan at Strasbourg last season and is a hot prospect for the future. Group B Germany The real big names are not present but they still have a very strong squad present at the tournament, the World Cup Champions will be the team to beat. Much like Portugal the lack of the big names will hopefully give others a chance to shine. Timo Werner has a chance to be Germany’s new number one striker. Germany haven’t really had an out and out striker since Miroslav Klose. Werner was the top scoring German in the Budesliga this season, with 21 goals for RB Leipzig and will be hoping to shoot the Germans to victory. In Shkodran Mustafi they have a quality defender who started very well at Arsenal this season. He unfortunately faded badly as the season went on but he has done well for his country previously. Julian Draxler gets the chance to be the creative force in absence of Ozil and much will depend on how he supply’s the forward line. Australia A much needed confidence boosting win against Saudi Arabia this past week in the World Cup qualifiers. They scored from open play as well, something they have struggled with of late, so that will please the coach Ange Postecoglou. They have a quality keeper in Matt Ryan and decent attacking talent in Tom Rogic and Tomi Juric, however, the backline looked dangerously exposed against the Saudis. The Asian Champions could easily be exposed and badly punished if they defend anywhere near as badly as they did last week. They played Brazil in a friendly this week as well and lost 4-0. That loss proved that against the top sides they struggle and they really could be embarrassed if they perform like they did against the Brazilians. I can’t seem them getting beyond the group. Chile Their big name players are present and that’s a big reason why they are my tip to win the tournament. They have won the Copa America twice in a row (2015 & 2016) and have quality throughout the side. Gary Medal provides the defensive solidity and passion, Alexi Sanchez is the creative force and talisman and Arturo Vidal is the backbone and leader to the side. They have struggled during their World Cup qualifying campaign but having won the past two Copa America’s they seem to find their feet in tournaments. I can see them really stamping a mark at this tournament (hope I haven't just jinxed them). Cameroon They came from nowhere to win the African Cup of Nations earlier this year. Not many expected the Indomitable Lions to win that tournament (especially me) but in Christian Bassogog and Benjamin Moukandjo they pose an attacking threat to anyone. Bassogog was named in the team of the tournament and Moukandjo was named man of the match in the final. They also have a keeper, Fabrice Ondoa that only conceded three gaols in the whole tournament. They should be considered dark horses here. One of the big questions that may be answered from this tournament is how Russia deals with the influx of fans and different nationalities and how its infrastructure copes. As a test run for next year’s World Cup it really gives Russia a chance to prove the rest of the world wrong in thinking they were a bad choice to host the biggest sporting event in the world. Let’s hope that it all goes to plan. Who do you think will win the tournament? Do you think it will be a successful tournament for Russia? Image Source Credit: https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=50780851 |
AuthorsJust Some Fans Writing About Football. Archives
June 2018
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