2018 FIFA WORLD CUP GROUP H PREVIEW
The countries drawn into Group H are not trendy picks to do well, and consequently they are not considered to be favorites to do much of consequence. However, there is also a chance that this group could end up being full of wild cards, as each squad has plenty of star power and issues to be worked out.
POLAND
Current FIFA World Ranking: 10
8th World Cup Finals
Best finish: 1974, 1982 semifinals, 3rd place
Slowly but surely, Poland is restoring the status it once held as a top soccer nation. Thanks primarily to the goalscoring exploits of one Robert Lewandowski, their stature continues to grow. It hasn’t been a one-man act, however, and there is plenty of talent surrounding the prolific striker.
Piotr Zieliński is the ideal foil in attack because of his creativity. There is enough depth of talent in midfield, even if their relative lack of quality width might make them look narrow.
The biggest question mark for the Poles is a sometimes-porous backline. If they are unable to stand up to the pace and width of their Group H opponents, they could be in for a rude shock. All that said, they should have the quality to advance to at least the Round of 16.
COLOMBIA
Current FIFA World Ranking: 16
6th World Cup Finals
Best finish: 2014 quarterfinals
An impressive quarterfinalist in 2014, Colombia returns with a squad that could go far again. The experience from that run and the talent they possess make for a promising combination of factors.
With James Rodríguez and Radamel Falcao leading the way in attack, Los Cafeteros will not lack for attacking options. Falcao will be especially keen to prove himself on this stage, since he missed 2014 due to injury.
They do have question marks, though, specifically in midfield, where they lack true ball-winners. This would force Rodriguez to play much deeper than he would prefer. Against stronger opposition, this could become an issue. In terms of Group H, they should be able to qualify with some ease.
JAPAN
Current FIFA World Ranking: 60
6th World Cup Finals
Best finish: 2002, 2010 Round of 16
Three months before a World Cup is hardly the ideal time for a managerial transition, and yet, here Japan is trying to adjust to a new approach and set of tactics. That type of instability usually spells doom for any team’s chances, and this is certainly no exception.
One positive out of the managerial transition has been the recall of superstars Keisuke Honda and Shinji Kagawa. Their absence would have made the task of advancing from this stage an even more daunting one than it currently is.
Honda and Kagawa have 186 caps between them, and the core of this very experienced team has also played together in multiple World Cups. In summary, they have experience, they have flair, and they are familiar with this setting. Will that be enough to overcome the turmoil behind the scenes? The odds are not in their favor, but that also makes them an unknown quantity.
SENEGAL
Current FIFA World Ranking: 28
2nd World Cup Finals
Best finish: 2002 quarterfinals
Senegal stunned the world in 2002, when Aliou Cissé captained the debutantes to the quarter-finals. His presence on the sidelines will no doubt be iconic to the current edition of the squad, which has plenty of pace and attacking flair.
Keita Baldé and Sadio Mané headline the roster, and as long as there is reliable service, this team will always be a threat to score. In fact, this could be one of the more exciting attacking teams to watch this summer. Behind the attack, they have a very balanced makeup anchored by a stout defense led by Kalidou Koulibaly.
In the heat of international competition, what can Senegal expect from a midfield comprising of mid-table Premier League talent, though? They are inexperienced at this level, and for that reason, it could lead them to playing a more cagey style. There will be plenty of hearkening back to 2002 in attempts to motivate them, but they seem unlikely to repeat the feat.
RELATED:
Group A Preview
Group B Preview
Group C Preview
Group D Preview
Group E Preview
Group F Preview
Group G Preview
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