On we go, with our preview of the groups for this year's Draft World Cup.
This episode covers Group F, featuring 2017 quarter-finalists Portugal, plus Ukraine and Chile who reached the group stages last time. Meanwhile, Mali are making their DWC debut.
Portugal
World ranking: 2nd
Manager: Beatriz Portugal Captain: Rui Patricio Star player: William Carvalho – once tipped to be the Next Big Thing in world football, it’s slightly surprising that he’s now 25. However, he is still an authoritative presence in the middle of the park. He is one of a few players in the squad who won Euro 2016 with real-life Portugal, can they do the same here? |
Last year: Quarter-finals
In last year’s qualifying, I think the technical term is that Portugal ‘crushed it’, with 30 points from 30 to enter the finals as the only side with a 100% record. They maintained this with wins over Central Africa and Turkey, before a draw with Italy slightly dented their record. They produced a fine defensive performance to beat England 2-1 despite being down to 10 men, and they were looking like major contenders for the title... until they were upset in the shock of the year as (10-man) Peru beat them 2-0.
This year: 1st in European Qualification Group H
Another strong start to qualifying this year, as Portugal won their opening three matches, but a 1-1 draw with Cyprus was their first dropped qualifying points. Cyprus also beat Portugal in the return fixture, but Portugal had done enough to win the group and secure qualification.
In last year’s qualifying, I think the technical term is that Portugal ‘crushed it’, with 30 points from 30 to enter the finals as the only side with a 100% record. They maintained this with wins over Central Africa and Turkey, before a draw with Italy slightly dented their record. They produced a fine defensive performance to beat England 2-1 despite being down to 10 men, and they were looking like major contenders for the title... until they were upset in the shock of the year as (10-man) Peru beat them 2-0.
This year: 1st in European Qualification Group H
Another strong start to qualifying this year, as Portugal won their opening three matches, but a 1-1 draw with Cyprus was their first dropped qualifying points. Cyprus also beat Portugal in the return fixture, but Portugal had done enough to win the group and secure qualification.
Like DR Congo in Group E, Portugal are playing with two defensive midfielders in their 4-2-3-1 formation. But with flying full backs, there should be support for the forwards. Portugal won the 2016 Euros playing in a cautious manner, and it is likely that defence will be this sides’ priority as well. Vincent Aboubakar up front has a capable understudy in the form of Bas Dost – both will be keen to show they can replace Andre Silva, who starred for Portugal last year.
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GK: Casillas, Marafona, Patricio
DF: Coates, Felipe, Grimaldo, Layun, Marcano, Mathieu, R Pereira, Telles
MD: Acuna, Brahimi, Carvalho, Fejsa, Fernandes, Martins, Oliver, D Pereira, Pizzi
FW: Aboubakar, Dost, Jonas
Key: Benfica, Braga, Porto, Sporting
DF: Coates, Felipe, Grimaldo, Layun, Marcano, Mathieu, R Pereira, Telles
MD: Acuna, Brahimi, Carvalho, Fejsa, Fernandes, Martins, Oliver, D Pereira, Pizzi
FW: Aboubakar, Dost, Jonas
Key: Benfica, Braga, Porto, Sporting
Ukraine
World ranking: 19th
Manager: Natalia Ukraine Captain: Darijo Srna Star player: Bernard – Ukraine have struggled at times to break opponents down. To do so this time will need the tricky winger to be at his best. Bernard was part of the real-life Brazil side in that night in Belo Horizonte, so he will be desperate to exorcise that memory. |
Last year: 4th in Group D
Ukraine started life as top seeds in their qualifying group, but finished well behind Greece. Still, it was enough to qualify in second, which put Ukraine in a group with Mexico, Central Asia and Peru. This appeared a straightforward group for Ukraine and Mexico, but the former hit an immediate snag with a terrible defeat to 10-man Peru. A thumping defeat to Mexico, and that was Ukraine eliminated. A draw with Central Asia ensured bottom spot.
This year: European Play-off winners
Last year’s poor performance ensured Ukraine entered this tournament as second seeds, behind Spain. With a full-strength Spanish side running riot, Ukraine had little hope of keeping up, but Ukraine steered clear of Serbia to get into the play-offs. There, they drew Cyprus, and a 2-1 first leg win put Ukraine in a good position, and a 2-2 draw in the second leg saw them through.
Ukraine started life as top seeds in their qualifying group, but finished well behind Greece. Still, it was enough to qualify in second, which put Ukraine in a group with Mexico, Central Asia and Peru. This appeared a straightforward group for Ukraine and Mexico, but the former hit an immediate snag with a terrible defeat to 10-man Peru. A thumping defeat to Mexico, and that was Ukraine eliminated. A draw with Central Asia ensured bottom spot.
This year: European Play-off winners
Last year’s poor performance ensured Ukraine entered this tournament as second seeds, behind Spain. With a full-strength Spanish side running riot, Ukraine had little hope of keeping up, but Ukraine steered clear of Serbia to get into the play-offs. There, they drew Cyprus, and a 2-1 first leg win put Ukraine in a good position, and a 2-2 draw in the second leg saw them through.
There aren’t too many asymmetric formations used in this year’s DWC, but here’s one. There might be quite a bit of pressure on Taras Stepanenko and Denys Garmash, but if they can halt the opposition then there is a lot of quality in the final third to fire Ukraine onwards. Ukraine’s defence has historically been well-organised, and they should remain that way here.
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GK: Bandura, Pyatov, Shevchenko
DF: Antunes, Butko, Ismaily, Khacheridi, Kryvtsov, Ordets, Rakitskyi, Srna
MD: Alan Patrick, Bernard, Buyalskyi, Fred, Garmash, Kovalenko, Marlos, Rotan, Stepanenko
FW: Ferreyra, Junior Moraes, Taison
Key: Dynamo Kyiv, Shakhtar Donetsk, Veres Rivne
DF: Antunes, Butko, Ismaily, Khacheridi, Kryvtsov, Ordets, Rakitskyi, Srna
MD: Alan Patrick, Bernard, Buyalskyi, Fred, Garmash, Kovalenko, Marlos, Rotan, Stepanenko
FW: Ferreyra, Junior Moraes, Taison
Key: Dynamo Kyiv, Shakhtar Donetsk, Veres Rivne
Chile
World ranking: 22nd
Manager: Constanza Chile Captain: Esteban Paredes Star player: Jorge Valdivia – the exciting attacking midfielder should relish the chance to play in his natural position. He should also benefit from Chile’s positive ideology, which will give him plenty of the ball. He is very well-regarded in South America, where he has played the bulk of his career. |
Last year: 4th in Group C
As second seeds behind Spain, Chile hoped for a pain-free qualification. However, going into the final round of games Chile were in fourth, and were only saved by Poland’s shock defeat to Finland, seeing them into the play-offs. They faced Austria and came through 5-2 aggregate winners. In the finals Chile were unlucky to lose to France, before earning a draw with Switzerland, however this wasn’t enough to keep them in contention and they would have been eliminated without their final-round defeat to Argentina.
This year: 3rd in South American Qualifying Group
A good start faded dramatically, as Chile reached the halfway point in 8th, albeit only a few points away from qualification. They quickly rebuilt, and went on a remarkable run that saw them unbeaten in their final 9 games, claiming 21 points. Paredes’ 9 goals proved instrumental in the side’s recovery.
As second seeds behind Spain, Chile hoped for a pain-free qualification. However, going into the final round of games Chile were in fourth, and were only saved by Poland’s shock defeat to Finland, seeing them into the play-offs. They faced Austria and came through 5-2 aggregate winners. In the finals Chile were unlucky to lose to France, before earning a draw with Switzerland, however this wasn’t enough to keep them in contention and they would have been eliminated without their final-round defeat to Argentina.
This year: 3rd in South American Qualifying Group
A good start faded dramatically, as Chile reached the halfway point in 8th, albeit only a few points away from qualification. They quickly rebuilt, and went on a remarkable run that saw them unbeaten in their final 9 games, claiming 21 points. Paredes’ 9 goals proved instrumental in the side’s recovery.
Constanza Chile has consistently used a 5-man defence, with wing backs encouraged to support the midfield and for all players to show individual freedom. This is the same here, although instead of having two wingers, Chile now have two attacking midfielders just behind established front man Esteban Paredes.
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GK: Herrera, Orion, Pinto
DF: Barroso, Beausejour, Carrasco, Insaurralde, Jara, Rodriguez, Vilches, Zaldivia
MD: Aued, Baeza, Buonanotte, Carrera, Monzon, Mugni, Pizarro, Valdes, Valdivia
FW: Maturana, Paredes, Pinilla
Key: Audax Italiano, Colo Colo, Everton, O'Higgins, Union Espanola, Universidad Catolica, Universidad de Chile
DF: Barroso, Beausejour, Carrasco, Insaurralde, Jara, Rodriguez, Vilches, Zaldivia
MD: Aued, Baeza, Buonanotte, Carrera, Monzon, Mugni, Pizarro, Valdes, Valdivia
FW: Maturana, Paredes, Pinilla
Key: Audax Italiano, Colo Colo, Everton, O'Higgins, Union Espanola, Universidad Catolica, Universidad de Chile
Mali
World ranking: 49th
Manager: Mamadou Mali Captain: Soumbeila Diakite Star player: Kalilou Traore – a creative midfielder with a great all-round game, he will serve as Mali’s focal point in midfield. He is a difficult player for opponents to overcome, with a good physical presence and strong technical skills. |
Last year: 5th in Qualification Group L (with Western Africa)
Mali 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 some great performances against the likes of Brazil.
This year: 1st in African 3rd-Round Qualification Group E
An unconvincing second-round performance saw Mali overcome Namibia 4-3 on aggregate. Reaching a final group stage containing Egypt, Senegal and Togo looked likely to end Mali’s quest for a maiden World Cup (of any type), but they built on some early wins to win the group, and qualification, after only four matches. A final-round defeat to Egypt did little to spoil the party.
Mali 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 some great performances against the likes of Brazil.
This year: 1st in African 3rd-Round Qualification Group E
An unconvincing second-round performance saw Mali overcome Namibia 4-3 on aggregate. Reaching a final group stage containing Egypt, Senegal and Togo looked likely to end Mali’s quest for a maiden World Cup (of any type), but they built on some early wins to win the group, and qualification, after only four matches. A final-round defeat to Egypt did little to spoil the party.
GK: Bathily, Diakite, Diarra
DF: Assoko, B Coulibaly, I Coulibaly, Kone, L Samake, Tambe, M Traore
MD: Cisse, Dembele, Dieng, A Samake, A Traore, AC Traore, B Traore, K Traore
FW: M Coulibaly, D Traore, I Traore
Key: AS Police, AS Real Bamako, Cercle Olympique, Djoliba, JS Centre Salif Keita, Onze Createurs, Stade Malien, unattached
DF: Assoko, B Coulibaly, I Coulibaly, Kone, L Samake, Tambe, M Traore
MD: Cisse, Dembele, Dieng, A Samake, A Traore, AC Traore, B Traore, K Traore
FW: M Coulibaly, D Traore, I Traore
Key: AS Police, AS Real Bamako, Cercle Olympique, Djoliba, JS Centre Salif Keita, Onze Createurs, Stade Malien, unattached
Next time
Portugal have an exemplary record in DWC play, and should be strong enough to get through this group. Ukraine, however, are not far away in terms of quality and will be desperate to improve on last year’s performance. Chile improved fantastically during their qualification run this year, and should at least get close to qualification. Mali may end up being cut adrift, but if they and Chile do cause some upsets, then the final-round clash between Portugal and Ukraine will be extremely interesting.
The next update will be a look at Group G, starring Italy, USA, Hungary and Kuwait.
Portugal have an exemplary record in DWC play, and should be strong enough to get through this group. Ukraine, however, are not far away in terms of quality and will be desperate to improve on last year’s performance. Chile improved fantastically during their qualification run this year, and should at least get close to qualification. Mali may end up being cut adrift, but if they and Chile do cause some upsets, then the final-round clash between Portugal and Ukraine will be extremely interesting.
The next update will be a look at Group G, starring Italy, USA, Hungary and Kuwait.