In the build-up to the finals, we are previewing the eight groups.
Today it's the turn of Group C, featuring three sides that have experienced the last 16 stage in the form of Netherlands, Mexico and Tunisia, whilst Thailand are making their first-ever appearance at a World Cup.
Netherlands
World ranking: 9th
Manager: Luuk Nederland Captain: Joel Veltman Star player: Hirving Lozano – key for Mexico last year, he now plies his trade for PSV. Prepare to see him linked to various elite clubs soon, because this winger is seriously talented. It will be interesting to see how he performs when Netherlands face Mexico in their opening match. |
Last year: Second Round
Netherlands were pipped to the post by the USA in their qualifying group, although both sides qualified easily. In the finals the Dutch started with a difficult tie against England, where they were the better side but could only draw. However, they battered Romania 6-3, and eventually topped the group. In the second round the Dutch faced Italy. A tense match saw Jorgensen give Netherlands the lead, but Carlos Bacca turned the game around with two goals to send Italy through.
This year: 1st in European Qualification Group G
Drawn into the same group as local rivals Belgium, Netherlands dropped a few early points, including a disappointing 2-2 draw with the Faroe Islands, but seared away with 7 wins on the trot to easily top the group. There was also the added bonus of seeing Belgium fail to make the play-offs.
Netherlands were pipped to the post by the USA in their qualifying group, although both sides qualified easily. In the finals the Dutch started with a difficult tie against England, where they were the better side but could only draw. However, they battered Romania 6-3, and eventually topped the group. In the second round the Dutch faced Italy. A tense match saw Jorgensen give Netherlands the lead, but Carlos Bacca turned the game around with two goals to send Italy through.
This year: 1st in European Qualification Group G
Drawn into the same group as local rivals Belgium, Netherlands dropped a few early points, including a disappointing 2-2 draw with the Faroe Islands, but seared away with 7 wins on the trot to easily top the group. There was also the added bonus of seeing Belgium fail to make the play-offs.
Last year Luuk Nederland fully bought into Netherland’s Total Football history, but this year that is reigned in slightly. The team will still be encouraged to be tactically fluid and creative, but the introduction of full backs should protect this team from being quite as open as they were last year. This is a very youthful side, with two teenagers (de Ligt and Dolberg) and a median age of 24.
|
GK: Onana, Padt, Zoet
DF: Arias, Botteghin, Brenet, de Ligt, Haps, Isimat-Mirin, Tagliafico, Veltman
MD: Berghuis, El Ahmadi, Hendrix, Lozano, Neres, Toornstra, van de Beek, Vilhena, Ziyech
FW: Dolberg, Jorgensen, Mahi
Key: Ajax, Feyenoord, Groningen, PSV
DF: Arias, Botteghin, Brenet, de Ligt, Haps, Isimat-Mirin, Tagliafico, Veltman
MD: Berghuis, El Ahmadi, Hendrix, Lozano, Neres, Toornstra, van de Beek, Vilhena, Ziyech
FW: Dolberg, Jorgensen, Mahi
Key: Ajax, Feyenoord, Groningen, PSV
Mexico
Last year: Second Round
Mexico looked very good in qualifying, winning a group containing Brazil, Austria and Uruguay. And in the finals Mexico won their group again, avoiding the carnage that saw Peru eliminate Ukraine. This set up a clash with France in the final 16, which led to the 2017 DWC’s most controversial moment – a deep cross from Lucas Lima appeared to be easily catchable for Agustin Marchesin, but a collision with Edinson Cavani saw the ball bounce into the net – with no foul given. This saw France through, and Mexico wondering what if.
This year: 2nd in North American 3rd-round Qualifying
It always appeared that Mexico were much too strong for the other North American sides, and they showed it by easily winning their second round group, dropping just two points on the way with 15 goals for Gignac. In the final stage Mexico couldn’t quite keep up with USA, but still easily secured a qualification spot.
Mexico looked very good in qualifying, winning a group containing Brazil, Austria and Uruguay. And in the finals Mexico won their group again, avoiding the carnage that saw Peru eliminate Ukraine. This set up a clash with France in the final 16, which led to the 2017 DWC’s most controversial moment – a deep cross from Lucas Lima appeared to be easily catchable for Agustin Marchesin, but a collision with Edinson Cavani saw the ball bounce into the net – with no foul given. This saw France through, and Mexico wondering what if.
This year: 2nd in North American 3rd-round Qualifying
It always appeared that Mexico were much too strong for the other North American sides, and they showed it by easily winning their second round group, dropping just two points on the way with 15 goals for Gignac. In the final stage Mexico couldn’t quite keep up with USA, but still easily secured a qualification spot.
Mexico are the first side we’ve profiled to be using a back 3, caused due to a lack of full backs pressing for selection. Cover will be provided by a dense midfield, which means that the front two of Gignac and Raul Ruidiaz will have to work hard with little support. Marchesin returns, desperate to avenge last year’s injustice.
|
GK: Barovero, Guzman, Marchesin
DF: Arribas, Araujo, Aguilar, Ayala, Basanta, Izquierdoz
MD: Aquino, Carioca, Chumacero, Diaz, Molina, Pabon, Pizarro, Sanchez, Vazquez
FW: Gignac, Peralta, Ruidiaz, Valencia, Vargas
Key: America, Guadalajara, Monterrey, Morelia, Necaxa, Puebla, Pumas, Santos Laguna, Tigres, Tijuana
DF: Arribas, Araujo, Aguilar, Ayala, Basanta, Izquierdoz
MD: Aquino, Carioca, Chumacero, Diaz, Molina, Pabon, Pizarro, Sanchez, Vazquez
FW: Gignac, Peralta, Ruidiaz, Valencia, Vargas
Key: America, Guadalajara, Monterrey, Morelia, Necaxa, Puebla, Pumas, Santos Laguna, Tigres, Tijuana
Tunisia
World ranking: 37th
Manager: Rania Tunisia Captain: Moin Chaabani Star player: Oussama Darragi – Tunisia will find things tougher than in qualifying, and if they are to open up defences they will need this playmaker to click with those around him. Highly technical with great vision, he has the capability to open up any defence. |
Last year: Second Round (with North Africa)
Tunisia were part of last year’s doughty North Africa side that finished third in qualifying, performing well enough to secure an automatic spot to the finals. Put into an open group in the finals, North Africa hit their high point by highlighting the imbalances in the USA side to record a fine 2-0 win, ultimately winning the group. There they faced China, and their valiant defence is undone by a rampant attack, and they succumbed to a 3-1 defeat.
This year: 1st in African 3rd-Round Qualification Group B
Tunisia kicked off the second round of African qualifying with a simple win over Rwanda, landing them in a 3rd-round group with Sudan, Uganda and Ethiopia. It wasn’t the most fearsome group, and Tunisia emphatically secured qualification by winning all six matches. If it wasn’t for one of their ties against Rwanda ending 2-2, Tunisia would be the only side entering this year’s tournament with a 100% record.
Tunisia were part of last year’s doughty North Africa side that finished third in qualifying, performing well enough to secure an automatic spot to the finals. Put into an open group in the finals, North Africa hit their high point by highlighting the imbalances in the USA side to record a fine 2-0 win, ultimately winning the group. There they faced China, and their valiant defence is undone by a rampant attack, and they succumbed to a 3-1 defeat.
This year: 1st in African 3rd-Round Qualification Group B
Tunisia kicked off the second round of African qualifying with a simple win over Rwanda, landing them in a 3rd-round group with Sudan, Uganda and Ethiopia. It wasn’t the most fearsome group, and Tunisia emphatically secured qualification by winning all six matches. If it wasn’t for one of their ties against Rwanda ending 2-2, Tunisia would be the only side entering this year’s tournament with a 100% record.
Tunisia ignore the trend for adventurous defenders, with four players very intent on keeping the opposition out. Having players comfortable with the ball in midfield means that Tunisia can make up for their limited defenders with some dynamic attacking. Amine Chermiti led Kuwait to the finals but now plays in his home country, however he misses out to complete striker Saber Khalifa up front.
|
GK: Ben Chrifia, Jridi, Kasraoui
DF: Bejaoui, Ben Radhia, Chaabani, Hichri, Ifa, Jabeur, Jemal, Konate
MD: Aouadhi, Bellakhal, Ben-Hatira, Ben Messaoud, Bouazzi, Darragi, Dhaouadl, Melliti, Mouihbi
FW: Chermiti, Khalifa, Ondama
Key: AS Marsa, CA Bizertin, Club Africain, CS Hammam-Lif, CS Sfaxian, EGS Gafsa, ES Hammam-Sousse, Esperance de Tunis, Etoile du Sahel, Monastirienne, Stade Gabesien, unattached
DF: Bejaoui, Ben Radhia, Chaabani, Hichri, Ifa, Jabeur, Jemal, Konate
MD: Aouadhi, Bellakhal, Ben-Hatira, Ben Messaoud, Bouazzi, Darragi, Dhaouadl, Melliti, Mouihbi
FW: Chermiti, Khalifa, Ondama
Key: AS Marsa, CA Bizertin, Club Africain, CS Hammam-Lif, CS Sfaxian, EGS Gafsa, ES Hammam-Sousse, Esperance de Tunis, Etoile du Sahel, Monastirienne, Stade Gabesien, unattached
Thailand
World ranking: 43rd
Manager: Kamnan Thailand Captain: Theerathon Bunmathan Star player: Diogo – the complete forward was the best-performing player in Thailand’s final qualifying group, with plenty of goals. He will have to keep up that striking success if Thailand are to upset the strong teams in their group. |
Last year: 5th in Qualification Group I (with Southeast Asia)
Last year’s Southeast Asia side was almost entirely made of Thai-based players. The side put in some good performances, and made sure they finished well above a weak Welsh side, but they never really entered the discussion for qualification.
This year: 2nd in Asian 2nd-Round Qualifying Group B
Drawn alongside China in Round 1, Thailand knew they would really be battling for second spot, which they secured ahead of UAE with a dramatic 3-2 final-round victory against their rivals. Things were much easier in the second round as the rest of the group failed spectacularly to get going, as Thailand qualified easily behind Saudi Arabia.
Last year’s Southeast Asia side was almost entirely made of Thai-based players. The side put in some good performances, and made sure they finished well above a weak Welsh side, but they never really entered the discussion for qualification.
This year: 2nd in Asian 2nd-Round Qualifying Group B
Drawn alongside China in Round 1, Thailand knew they would really be battling for second spot, which they secured ahead of UAE with a dramatic 3-2 final-round victory against their rivals. Things were much easier in the second round as the rest of the group failed spectacularly to get going, as Thailand qualified easily behind Saudi Arabia.
Diogo won’t be isolated, as he has a supporting cast of three, with Heberty encouraged to get into the box to support the striker. At the back Thailand have few full backs and so elect to go with a weird 3-2-1-3-1 formation. They will hope that their two ball-winning midfielders will put a spanner in opponents’ attacking plans.
|
GK: Falkesgaard, Hathairattanakool, Kouakou
DF: Aoyama, Bunmathan, Everton, Frauches, Rochela, Santos, Tunez
MD: Assumpcao, Lee Ho, Menezes, Robson, Seul-Ki, Silva, Sung-Hwan, Tasevski, Vander
FW: Bill, Coelho, Diogo, Heberty
Key: Air Force Central, Army United, Bangkok United, Buriram United, Chiangrai United, Khonkaen, Muangthong United, Ratchaburi, Port, Suphanburi
DF: Aoyama, Bunmathan, Everton, Frauches, Rochela, Santos, Tunez
MD: Assumpcao, Lee Ho, Menezes, Robson, Seul-Ki, Silva, Sung-Hwan, Tasevski, Vander
FW: Bill, Coelho, Diogo, Heberty
Key: Air Force Central, Army United, Bangkok United, Buriram United, Chiangrai United, Khonkaen, Muangthong United, Ratchaburi, Port, Suphanburi
Next time
Had Netherlands and Mexico won in their second-round clashes last year, they would have met in the quarter-finals. Back then it would have been hard to say who would have won, and that remains the case now. But Tunisia really can’t be written off after their scintillating qualifying form, and so whoever loses in the opening-round clash between Netherlands and Mexico will need to be very careful to avoid a shock elimination. Thailand may be out of their depth here, but they should take pride in qualifying for the finals – something they have not managed in the actual World Cup.
Group D contains Greece, Turkey, Morocco and Venezuela, and we’ll preview that next time!
Had Netherlands and Mexico won in their second-round clashes last year, they would have met in the quarter-finals. Back then it would have been hard to say who would have won, and that remains the case now. But Tunisia really can’t be written off after their scintillating qualifying form, and so whoever loses in the opening-round clash between Netherlands and Mexico will need to be very careful to avoid a shock elimination. Thailand may be out of their depth here, but they should take pride in qualifying for the finals – something they have not managed in the actual World Cup.
Group D contains Greece, Turkey, Morocco and Venezuela, and we’ll preview that next time!