Continuing our preview of the 2018 Draft World Cup groups, ahead of the tournament's start on the 14th of June, here is Group D:
So the group contains Greece, quarter-finalists last year, along with Turkey and Morocco, who both were part of the finals, whilst Venezuela are making their debut.
Greece
World ranking: 6th
Manager: Xandra Hellas Captain: Petros Mantalos Star player: Vadis Odjidja-Ofoe – Greece’s strength has always laid in their midfield, and Odjidja-Ofoe stands out in this year’s team. The Olympiakos midfielder can hold his own physically, meaning that as well as creative quality he will also be a handful for opposition midfielders. |
Last year: Quarter-finals
Greece usurped seeds Ukraine to win their qualification group with an impressive 25 points out of a possible 30. This landed them in a decent finals group alongside South Africa, Belgium and Norway. Wins over the latter two meant Greece automatically qualified for the knockout round, where they evoked the spirit of 2004 with a controlled 1-0 win over Spain’s riches. However, they too were on the end of an upset as eventual finalists Uruguay beat them by the same scoreline.
This year: European play-off winners
Drawn alongside Scotland and Croatia, Greece had a reasonable draw, but couldn’t live up to their top seeding as Croatia eventually won the group. Greece had to beat Scotland’s goal difference on the final day, and a comprehensive 5-0 win over Andorra got Greece into the play-offs. At home to Sweden Greece won 3-2, which meant that they were on the verge of being eliminated when Sweden took the lead in the return leg. However, a late winner arrived for Greece as Andre Simoes lashed a loose ball into the net, as they scraped through in exciting style.
Greece usurped seeds Ukraine to win their qualification group with an impressive 25 points out of a possible 30. This landed them in a decent finals group alongside South Africa, Belgium and Norway. Wins over the latter two meant Greece automatically qualified for the knockout round, where they evoked the spirit of 2004 with a controlled 1-0 win over Spain’s riches. However, they too were on the end of an upset as eventual finalists Uruguay beat them by the same scoreline.
This year: European play-off winners
Drawn alongside Scotland and Croatia, Greece had a reasonable draw, but couldn’t live up to their top seeding as Croatia eventually won the group. Greece had to beat Scotland’s goal difference on the final day, and a comprehensive 5-0 win over Andorra got Greece into the play-offs. At home to Sweden Greece won 3-2, which meant that they were on the verge of being eliminated when Sweden took the lead in the return leg. However, a late winner arrived for Greece as Andre Simoes lashed a loose ball into the net, as they scraped through in exciting style.
Xandra Hellas sticks with the same Christmas tree formation used last year to great effect, and this year to slightly less effect. Attacking full backs provide the width, but also highlight the obvious area for opponents to attack, particularly with such a dense midfield. However, the upshot is that Emmanuel Emenike up front won’t be isolated.
|
GK: Glykos, Proto, Rey
DF: Chygrynskyi, Elabdellaoui, Engels, Koutris, Lopes, Matos, Viana, Vieirinha, Vranjes
MD: Fortounis, Johansson, Mantalos, Marin, Martins, Mauricio, Odjidja-Ofoe, Romao, Simoes
FW: Emenike, Luciano
Key: AEK Athens, Olympiakos, Panathinaikos, PAOK
DF: Chygrynskyi, Elabdellaoui, Engels, Koutris, Lopes, Matos, Viana, Vieirinha, Vranjes
MD: Fortounis, Johansson, Mantalos, Marin, Martins, Mauricio, Odjidja-Ofoe, Romao, Simoes
FW: Emenike, Luciano
Key: AEK Athens, Olympiakos, Panathinaikos, PAOK
Turkey
World ranking: 17th
Manager: Meryem Turkiye Captain: Samuel Eto’o Star player: Pepe – despite being 34 years old, the former Real man is still an outstanding defender, and a complete bastard. He was crucial for Portugal when they won the real-life European Championships in 2016, and that kind of defence will be perfect for a Turkish side that were exploited at the back last year. |
Last year: 3rd in Group A
Turkey went into qualification as top seeds, but struggled as Argentina ran away with the group, and South Africa pipped Turkey to second. However, the Turks’ record was good enough to ensure an automatic spot in the finals, where they drew a horrible group alongside Portugal and Italy. Losses to both of those sides meant Turkey were eliminated before their dead rubber against Central Africa.
This year: 1st in European Qualification Group C
Drawn against Italy again, Turkey appeared to be set for the play-offs at best. However, they appeared much improved on their dysfunction showings last year, as they trailed Italy by a point going into the final game, where the two sides met. The game appeared to be heading for a stalemate until Cenk Tosun (now of Everton) fired Turkey to victory, and qualification for the DWC finals.
Turkey went into qualification as top seeds, but struggled as Argentina ran away with the group, and South Africa pipped Turkey to second. However, the Turks’ record was good enough to ensure an automatic spot in the finals, where they drew a horrible group alongside Portugal and Italy. Losses to both of those sides meant Turkey were eliminated before their dead rubber against Central Africa.
This year: 1st in European Qualification Group C
Drawn against Italy again, Turkey appeared to be set for the play-offs at best. However, they appeared much improved on their dysfunction showings last year, as they trailed Italy by a point going into the final game, where the two sides met. The game appeared to be heading for a stalemate until Cenk Tosun (now of Everton) fired Turkey to victory, and qualification for the DWC finals.
With a number of talented strikers, Turkey can best accommodate them in a flat 4-4-2 formation. It means that Matheiu Valbuena and Sophiane Feghouli are playing a little deeper than they are used to, but it may suit the team’s balance. Woe betide any striker who isn’t up for the fight against Pepe and Martin Skrtel.
|
GK: Demirel, Fabricio, Muslera
DF: Adriano, Clichy, Isla, Mariano, Pepe, Skrtel, Vida
MD: Babel, Belhanda, Feghouli, Fernando, Guliano, Kucka, Medel, Ozyakup, Valbuena
FW: Adebayor, Eto’o, Negredo, Yilmaz
Key: Basaksehir, Besiktas, Fenerbahce, Galatasaray, Konyaspor, Trabzonspor
DF: Adriano, Clichy, Isla, Mariano, Pepe, Skrtel, Vida
MD: Babel, Belhanda, Feghouli, Fernando, Guliano, Kucka, Medel, Ozyakup, Valbuena
FW: Adebayor, Eto’o, Negredo, Yilmaz
Key: Basaksehir, Besiktas, Fenerbahce, Galatasaray, Konyaspor, Trabzonspor
Morocco
World ranking: 39th
Manager: Omar Morocco Captain: Yassine Salhi Star player: Mounir Obbadi – the side’s main playmaker has had a distinguished career in France, before moving to Morocco, for whom he represents internationally. He covers his fair share of the pitch, and shouldn’t be out of his depth against any opposition midfielders. |
Last year: Second Round (with North Africa)
Morocco 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, where their valiant defence was undone by a rampant attack, as they succumbed to a 3-1 defeat.
This year: 1st in African 3rd-Round Qualifying Group C
Starting as one of the highest ranked sides in Africa, Morocco were slightly unconvincing in their 6-4 aggregate win over Liberia in the second round of qualifying. However, they shone in the final round, holding off strong challenges from Ghana and Zambia to win the group comfortably.
Morocco 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, where their valiant defence was undone by a rampant attack, as they succumbed to a 3-1 defeat.
This year: 1st in African 3rd-Round Qualifying Group C
Starting as one of the highest ranked sides in Africa, Morocco were slightly unconvincing in their 6-4 aggregate win over Liberia in the second round of qualifying. However, they shone in the final round, holding off strong challenges from Ghana and Zambia to win the group comfortably.
Morocco will be playing a very attractive passing game, with shades of neighbours Spain (they do have a land border). False nine Mouhcine Iajour will be looking to create havoc with his runs, although this does then open the question over who will step up to exploit the space, with the players around him only given a support duty. Alejandro Quintana provides a stark contrast from the bench, as a classic big number 9.
|
GK: Bourkadi, Mhamdi, Zniti
DF: Attouchi, Dayo, El Kaoutari, Haddad, Jbira, Lagrou, Nahiri, Nii Adjei
MD: Achchakir, El Haddad, El Moubarki, Hafidi, Jahouh, Obbadi, Ounajem, Saidi, Salhi
FW: Iajour, Neghmi, Quintana
Key: Difaa El Jadidi, FUS Rabat, IR Tanger, Moghreb Tetouan, Olympique Khouribga, Raja Casablanca, Royal Army Club, RS Berkane, Wydad Casablanca
DF: Attouchi, Dayo, El Kaoutari, Haddad, Jbira, Lagrou, Nahiri, Nii Adjei
MD: Achchakir, El Haddad, El Moubarki, Hafidi, Jahouh, Obbadi, Ounajem, Saidi, Salhi
FW: Iajour, Neghmi, Quintana
Key: Difaa El Jadidi, FUS Rabat, IR Tanger, Moghreb Tetouan, Olympique Khouribga, Raja Casablanca, Royal Army Club, RS Berkane, Wydad Casablanca
Venezuela
Last year: n/a
Venezuela failed to have any players selected for the combined South America side that reached the 2017 finals, and so it is even more impressive they have qualified this year.
This year: 4th in South American Qualifying Group
The epitome of sturdy, Venezuela spent virtually all of their marathon South American qualifying campaign in the qualification spots. Going into the final game they were in 4th, leading Colombia by a point, with the side in 5th set to go into the play-offs. They should have easily confirmed qualification against bottom side Paraguay, but a poor performance led to a 2-1 defeat. They were bailed out, however, by Chile who defeated Colombia to secure Venezuela’s progression.
Venezuela failed to have any players selected for the combined South America side that reached the 2017 finals, and so it is even more impressive they have qualified this year.
This year: 4th in South American Qualifying Group
The epitome of sturdy, Venezuela spent virtually all of their marathon South American qualifying campaign in the qualification spots. Going into the final game they were in 4th, leading Colombia by a point, with the side in 5th set to go into the play-offs. They should have easily confirmed qualification against bottom side Paraguay, but a poor performance led to a 2-1 defeat. They were bailed out, however, by Chile who defeated Colombia to secure Venezuela’s progression.
With no defenders standing out in quality, Venezuela are approaching this tournament in a slightly cautious manner. Lucena should break up plenty of opposition attacks, and then the side will look to attack through the flanks. Rondon was the top scorer across the whole of South American qualification, however he is not involve here so Venezuela will hope Juan Falcon can soar.
|
GK: Baroja, Buenanos, Diaz
DF: Mendoza, Peraza, Quijada, Romero, Sanchez, Zafra, Zea
MD: Cure, Figuera, Gonzalez, Hernandez, Lucena, Lugo, Martins, Ocanto, Palacios, Pena
FW: Castro, Falcon, Tobar
Key: Academia Puerto Cabello, Angostura, Atletico El Vigia, Carabobo, Caracas, Deportivo La Guaira, Deportivo Lara, Mineros, Monagas, Portuguesa, Zulia, unattached
DF: Mendoza, Peraza, Quijada, Romero, Sanchez, Zafra, Zea
MD: Cure, Figuera, Gonzalez, Hernandez, Lucena, Lugo, Martins, Ocanto, Palacios, Pena
FW: Castro, Falcon, Tobar
Key: Academia Puerto Cabello, Angostura, Atletico El Vigia, Carabobo, Caracas, Deportivo La Guaira, Deportivo Lara, Mineros, Monagas, Portuguesa, Zulia, unattached
Next time
Personally, I think this is a leading contender to be this year’s Group of Death. This is because all four teams have a fighting chance. Greece are arguably the weakest of the eight top seeds, and so they will need to be very diligent to avoid an upset here. Turkey have a very handy-looking side and should be aiming to win the group. Both Morocco and Venezuela appear dangerous in qualifying, and so there is a good chance this group will go down to the wire. A final-round clash between Turkey and Greece is certainly not to be missed.
The next update covers Group E, which contains England, China, Denmark and DR Congo.
Personally, I think this is a leading contender to be this year’s Group of Death. This is because all four teams have a fighting chance. Greece are arguably the weakest of the eight top seeds, and so they will need to be very diligent to avoid an upset here. Turkey have a very handy-looking side and should be aiming to win the group. Both Morocco and Venezuela appear dangerous in qualifying, and so there is a good chance this group will go down to the wire. A final-round clash between Turkey and Greece is certainly not to be missed.
The next update covers Group E, which contains England, China, Denmark and DR Congo.