2018 FIFA WORLD CUP GROUP C PREVIEW
There will be plenty of world-class talent on display in the 2018 FIFA World Cup’s Group C – with most of it belonging to France. That being said, Denmark and Peru should also provide some entertaining play to keep things interesting. Where will Australia fit in this equation?
FRANCE
Current FIFA World Ranking: 7
15th World Cup Finals
Best finish: 1998 champion
Stacked with individual talent like Antoine Greizmann,Paul Pogba, and Kylian Mbappé, Les Bleus has a squad that is the envy of almost every other team. As a result, the trick for manager Didier Deschamps will be to find the right mix in his lineups.
A favorable Group C draw might provide enough margin for error if Deschamps tries to tinker with his lineups. Overall, if this squad plays up to their fullest capabilities, the prospects are mouth-watering.
Therein, however, lies the issue. This is after all a team that historically tends to bottle up and underachieve. With this many players returning from the Euro 2016 disappointment, perhaps the memory will spur them to do one better. On paper, a berth in the final is a distinct possibility.
AUSTRALIA
Current FIFA World Ranking: 40
5th World Cup Finals
Best finish: 2006 Round of 16
If it seems like Tim Cahill has been around forever, that’s because he basically has. Now entering his fourth World Cup, the talismanic forward will likely take a back seat to younger talent like Aaron Mooy and Matthew Leckie.
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Since there has been a very recent coaching change, with Dutchman Bert van Marwijk only taking over at the end of January, there will be a lot of uncertainty surrounding the Socceroos’ preferred lineup and tactical shape.
There is a chance that for this reason, Australia could somehow string together a couple of positive results to advance. Their lack of depth and talent suggests otherwise, but van Marwijk has a history of success at this level.
DENMARK
Current FIFA World Ranking: 12
5th World Cup Finals
Best finish: 1998 Quarterfinals
If any team wanted the tournament to start earlier, it would likely have been the Danes, who rode a fine wave of form into the final stretch of qualifying (including a 5-1 thumping of Ireland in the playoffs). This is a team that prefers a direct style of play, but also has plenty of technical ability in midfield.
Unquestionably, Christian Eriksen will be the lynchpin to Denmark’s success at this World Cup. His creativity and goalscoring ability (11 in 12 matches during qualification) will cause opposing backlines fits, and he could become a true global star on this stage.
Their group opener against Peru on June 16th will go a long way to determining their fortunes. Anything less than a draw will leave them with an uphill battle. Ultimately, they should have enough strength to advance to the Round of 16.
PERU
Current FIFA World Ranking: 11
5th World Cup Finals
Best finish: 2x Quarterfinals
The biggest news on the Peruvian front has been the temporary lifting of Pablo Guerrero‘s suspension. The return of their all-time leading goalscorer will undoubtedly raise spirits. This is especially vital heading into their first World Cup in over 3 decades.
In addition to Guerrero, Jefferson Farfán and Christian Cueva provide the attacking spark for a team that also boasts a disciplined defense. This squad has been molded with great patience and it was reflected in their great chemistry during qualification. The trick now will be to continue with that form in the heat of tournament play.
Undefeated since March 2016, including wins over Uruguay, Croatia, and Iceland, Peru is arguably a dark horse in Group C. If anything will prove to be their undoing, it will be the entire roster’s lack of experience at this level. As stated earlier, the Peru-Denmark match on the 16th will be the key fixture for both. The combination of inexperience and early-tournament nerves may be their undoing.
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