Last time out the draw for the 2018 Draft World Cup finals was made, shown below:
Today we will preview Group A, containing defending champions Germany, and three new faces to DWC finals in Brazil, Croatia and Ghana.
For each team we'll give a little factfile, their DWC history, an overview of their tactics and a list of who has made the squad. So let's get started!
For each team we'll give a little factfile, their DWC history, an overview of their tactics and a list of who has made the squad. So let's get started!
Germany
Last year: Champions
Germany started slowly, and only just got through the group stage after a second-half comeback against Bulgaria. Once they were through, however, Germany exhibited the kind of grinding knockout tournament play that has won them four real-life World Cups. They needed extra time to beat South Africa, and only overcame China thanks to a defensive howler from Ricardo Carvalho. In the semi final they eased past the surprise package of Peru, and always looked in control in the final, beating Uruguay 2-1.
This year: 1st in European Qualification Group I
The reigning DWC champions cruised through their qualifying group, leaving the likes of Sweden and Bulgaria in their wake as they only dropped five points. Star of the show was Arjen Robben, who notched 10 goals.
Germany started slowly, and only just got through the group stage after a second-half comeback against Bulgaria. Once they were through, however, Germany exhibited the kind of grinding knockout tournament play that has won them four real-life World Cups. They needed extra time to beat South Africa, and only overcame China thanks to a defensive howler from Ricardo Carvalho. In the semi final they eased past the surprise package of Peru, and always looked in control in the final, beating Uruguay 2-1.
This year: 1st in European Qualification Group I
The reigning DWC champions cruised through their qualifying group, leaving the likes of Sweden and Bulgaria in their wake as they only dropped five points. Star of the show was Arjen Robben, who notched 10 goals.
Hanna Deutchland led her side to the inaugural Draft World Cup by setting her side up in a Gegenpressing-esque way, with an emphasis on making life for their opponents as unpleasant as possible with high-tempo high-pressing. A central defensive pair of Boateng and Hummels will be given license to play out from the back, whilst the front three of Reus, Robben and Lewandowski look ominous.
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GK: Fahrmann, Leno, Neuer
DF: Alaba, Boateng, Guerreiro, Hummels, Kimmich, Martinez, Papastathopoulos
MD: Coman, Goretzka, Keita, Reus, Ribery, Robben, Rudy, Thiago, Tolisso, Vidal
FW: Gotze, Lewandowski, Muller
Key: Bayer Leverkusen, Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, RB Leipzig, Schalke 04
DF: Alaba, Boateng, Guerreiro, Hummels, Kimmich, Martinez, Papastathopoulos
MD: Coman, Goretzka, Keita, Reus, Ribery, Robben, Rudy, Thiago, Tolisso, Vidal
FW: Gotze, Lewandowski, Muller
Key: Bayer Leverkusen, Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, RB Leipzig, Schalke 04
Brazil
Last year: 4th in Qualification Group L
Last year the top seeds from the first 11 qualifying groups all secured automatic qualification to the DWC finals. In the final group, Brazil broke that trend by crashing out in fourth spot, following a final-day humiliation at the hands of Austria.
This year: 1st in South American qualifying group
Given last year’s disaster, there was much pressure on Brazil to deliver a better performance here. The good news for Brazil was that despite a low ranking, all South American teams end up the same group. Despite a shaky start, Brazil hit their stride and qualified comfortably from the giant group. Pleasingly, they pipped deadly rivals Argentina to top spot on goal difference.
Last year the top seeds from the first 11 qualifying groups all secured automatic qualification to the DWC finals. In the final group, Brazil broke that trend by crashing out in fourth spot, following a final-day humiliation at the hands of Austria.
This year: 1st in South American qualifying group
Given last year’s disaster, there was much pressure on Brazil to deliver a better performance here. The good news for Brazil was that despite a low ranking, all South American teams end up the same group. Despite a shaky start, Brazil hit their stride and qualified comfortably from the giant group. Pleasingly, they pipped deadly rivals Argentina to top spot on goal difference.
GK: Alves, Grohe, Vanderlei
DF: Balbuena, Barbosa, Caio, Fagner, Geromel, Kannemann, Rocha
MD: Arthur, Diego, Dudu, Elias, Henrique, Lima, Petros, Ribeiro, Scarpa, Souza
FW: Borja, Guerrero, Luan
Key: Atletico Mineiro, Corinthians, Flamengo, Gremio, Palmeiras, Santos, Sao Paulo
DF: Balbuena, Barbosa, Caio, Fagner, Geromel, Kannemann, Rocha
MD: Arthur, Diego, Dudu, Elias, Henrique, Lima, Petros, Ribeiro, Scarpa, Souza
FW: Borja, Guerrero, Luan
Key: Atletico Mineiro, Corinthians, Flamengo, Gremio, Palmeiras, Santos, Sao Paulo
Croatia
World ranking: 25th
Manager: Lucija Hrvatska Captain: Arijan Ademi Star player: Hilal Soudani – leading the line is Dinamo Zagreb’s Soudani, who is an all-action front man that will likely be lining up with Algeria in the real competition this summer. With this group likely to be decided by narrow margins, having a striker with an eye for goal is crucial, and Soudani’s 21 goals in 39 caps is a good sign that he can produce the goods. |
Last year: 4th in Qualification Group H
Drawn into the same group as England, Croatia couldn’t repeat previous efforts as they disappointingly failed to even reach the play-offs, despite being seeded second in the group. Losing key clashes against South Korea saw them finish 4 points behind the Asian side.
This year: 1st in European Qualification Group E
With Greece and Scotland as the seeds above Croatia, this appeared to present quite an open battle for qualification, and so it proved. Croatia had a nightmare against Finland, as they had four red cards and lost 3-2, but they recovered to finish strongly. A 4-1 win against Greece in the penultimate round was crucial, and they secured top spot with a crushing win over Ireland.
Drawn into the same group as England, Croatia couldn’t repeat previous efforts as they disappointingly failed to even reach the play-offs, despite being seeded second in the group. Losing key clashes against South Korea saw them finish 4 points behind the Asian side.
This year: 1st in European Qualification Group E
With Greece and Scotland as the seeds above Croatia, this appeared to present quite an open battle for qualification, and so it proved. Croatia had a nightmare against Finland, as they had four red cards and lost 3-2, but they recovered to finish strongly. A 4-1 win against Greece in the penultimate round was crucial, and they secured top spot with a crushing win over Ireland.
GK: Livakovic, Malenica, Prskalo
DF: Bartolec, Benkovic, Elez, Katic, Lecjaks, Skoric, Stojanovic
MD: Ademi, Barry, Bocjak, Bradaric, Coric, Doumbia, Gorgon, Majer, Olmo, Tomasov
FW: Ejupi, Gavranovic, Soudani
Key: Dinamo Zagreb, Hajduk Split, Lokomotiva, Osijek, Rijeka, Slaven Belupo, unattached
(Apologies to Hajduk and Osijek fans - it turns out EVERY Croatian team plays in blue, so I've used their away/third kit colours above)
DF: Bartolec, Benkovic, Elez, Katic, Lecjaks, Skoric, Stojanovic
MD: Ademi, Barry, Bocjak, Bradaric, Coric, Doumbia, Gorgon, Majer, Olmo, Tomasov
FW: Ejupi, Gavranovic, Soudani
Key: Dinamo Zagreb, Hajduk Split, Lokomotiva, Osijek, Rijeka, Slaven Belupo, unattached
(Apologies to Hajduk and Osijek fans - it turns out EVERY Croatian team plays in blue, so I've used their away/third kit colours above)
Ghana
World ranking: 59th
Manager: Isaac Ghana Captain: Sulley Muntari Star player: Emmanuel Clottey – the forward stood out last year for his memorable strikes, and he has continued that form with some crucial goals in qualifying. If he can keep this up, there may well be more bloodied noses courtesy of this Ghanaian side. |
Last year: 5th in Qualification Group L with West Africa
Ghana didn’t have their own team last year, instead they were part of the West African side. The side were never close to qualifying, but they did last in the memory thanks to two world-class goals from Clottey in matches against Brazil.
This year: 3rd in Intercontinental Play-off
In the second round of African qualifying Ghana had a nasty draw, as they had to face Cameroon. However, two good performances led to a 6-1 aggregate win. However, luck was again against them as they drew Morocco and Zambia in the final round. They didn’t challenge Morocco for top spot, but a final-match win over Zambia saw Ghana finish second, with a record good enough to make the Intercontinental play-off. A nightmarishly close battle saw Ghana overcome Indonesia 4-3 to become the final team to qualify for the finals.
Ghana didn’t have their own team last year, instead they were part of the West African side. The side were never close to qualifying, but they did last in the memory thanks to two world-class goals from Clottey in matches against Brazil.
This year: 3rd in Intercontinental Play-off
In the second round of African qualifying Ghana had a nasty draw, as they had to face Cameroon. However, two good performances led to a 6-1 aggregate win. However, luck was again against them as they drew Morocco and Zambia in the final round. They didn’t challenge Morocco for top spot, but a final-match win over Zambia saw Ghana finish second, with a record good enough to make the Intercontinental play-off. A nightmarishly close battle saw Ghana overcome Indonesia 4-3 to become the final team to qualify for the finals.
GK: Amoako, Antwi, Dauda
DF: Adams, Ahmed, Agyemang, Awal, Baah, Brenya, Nuhu
MD: Asamoah, Boateng, Muntari, Owusu, Paintsil, Rabiu, Sekyere, Telfer, Yahuza
FW: Bekoe, Clottey, Iddrisu, Omotoyossi
Key: Aduana Stars, Amidaus, Asante Kotoko, Ashanti Gold, Bechem United, Berekum Chelsea, Great Olympics, Hearts of Oak, New Edubiase United, Tema Youth, unattached
DF: Adams, Ahmed, Agyemang, Awal, Baah, Brenya, Nuhu
MD: Asamoah, Boateng, Muntari, Owusu, Paintsil, Rabiu, Sekyere, Telfer, Yahuza
FW: Bekoe, Clottey, Iddrisu, Omotoyossi
Key: Aduana Stars, Amidaus, Asante Kotoko, Ashanti Gold, Bechem United, Berekum Chelsea, Great Olympics, Hearts of Oak, New Edubiase United, Tema Youth, unattached
Next time
Germany are surely too strong to fall at this hurdle, and anything other than first place will be a surprise. Ghana have done brilliantly to make the finals, but their chances of progressing further appear slim – although all eyes will be on Clottey when Ghana face Brazil in the opening round! This means we may see a tight battle between Brazil and Croatia for second place. Both are vastly improved on last year, so the tie between these two in the second round of fixtures will be fascinating. And the final-round clash between the two most successful sides in real World Cup history is something you shouldn’t miss, when Germany and Brazil clash.
Next time we’ll preview Group B, featuring Spain, South Africa, Colombia and Trinidad & Tobago.
Germany are surely too strong to fall at this hurdle, and anything other than first place will be a surprise. Ghana have done brilliantly to make the finals, but their chances of progressing further appear slim – although all eyes will be on Clottey when Ghana face Brazil in the opening round! This means we may see a tight battle between Brazil and Croatia for second place. Both are vastly improved on last year, so the tie between these two in the second round of fixtures will be fascinating. And the final-round clash between the two most successful sides in real World Cup history is something you shouldn’t miss, when Germany and Brazil clash.
Next time we’ll preview Group B, featuring Spain, South Africa, Colombia and Trinidad & Tobago.