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19-05-2018, 05:48 PM | #1 |
Arofanatic
Join Date: Oct 2006
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FIFA World Cup - Russia 2018
Group A: Hosts to face Arabic test
Teams RUSSIA | SAUDI ARABIA | EGYPT | URUGUAY Key Game Russia-Saudi Arabia (14 June 2018, Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow) The World Cup Opening Match is an event that football fans the world over eagerly tune-in to, marking the beginning of another exciting global finals. At Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium, hosts Russia will take on Saudi Arabia in the eagerly-awaited curtain-raiser on 14 June 2018. The Saudis will be the first Asian team to take part in an Opening Match at the global finals. What you need to know
The stat 45 – The age that Egypt goalkeeper Essam El-Hadary will be when the Pharaohs take to the pitch at Russia 2018. Should he feature, El-Hadary would surpass Faryd Mondragon’s record as the World Cup’s oldest player. The Colombian goalkeeper set the current record when he appeared at Brazil 2014 at 43 years and three days. Group B: European heavyweights to do battle Teams PORTUGAL | SPAIN | MOROCCO | IR IRAN Key Game Portugal-Spain (15 June 2018, Fisht Olympic Stadium, Sochi) A mouth-watering tie in Sochi lies in store. You could hear the gasps at Moscow's State Kremlin Palace when these two European heavyweights – and neighbours – were drawn alongside each other in Group B. This is a game not to be missed. What you need to know
The stat 3 – Iran were the third team to book their place at the 2018 World Cup after hosts Russia and 2014 hosts Brazil. |
19-05-2018, 05:55 PM | #2 |
Arofanatic
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Group C: Favourable draw for Les Bleus
Teams FRANCE | AUSTRALIA | PERU | DENMARK Key game Denmark-France, (26 June 2018, Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow) This duel between two highly fancied European sides will likely be given top billing during the third round of games in Group C. The countries know each other well, having gone head-to-head on the World Cup stage on two previous occasions, both times in the final match of the group. On the road to their sole triumph in 1998, France secured a 2-1 victory, but in 2002 it was the Danes who emerged victorious, 2-0, when the reigning world champions flattered to deceive. What you need to know
The stat 3 – The number of World Cups in which Tim Cahill has found the back of the net. If he succeeds in scoring in Russia, the attack-minded Australian will enter an elite club, as only Uwe Seeler, Pele and Miroslav Klose have previously notched a goal in four different editions of the prestigious tournament. Group D: Argentina and Croatia head tricky group Teams ARGENTINA | ICELAND | CROATIA | NIGERIA Key Game Argentina-Croatia, (21 June 2018, Nizhny Novgorod Stadium) The group's two strongest teams on paper will lock horns at a World Cup for the first time since 1998, when Argentina edged to a 1-0 win. The showdown between Barcelona team-mates Lionel Messi and Ivan Rakitic is one of the many intriguing subplots to what will be just the second meeting between the two nations on the global stage, one which could prove pivotal in deciding who qualifies and claims top spot. With France potentially lurking in the Round of 16 for the group runners-up, there will be plenty on the line. What you need to know
The stat 4 - The number of times that Argentina and Nigeria have met in World Cup group action. La Albiceleste have triumphed in all four matches: 2-1 in 1994, 1-0 in 2002, 1-0 in 2010 and 3-2 in 2014. |
19-05-2018, 06:01 PM | #3 |
Arofanatic
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Group E: No easy task for five-time champions
TEAMS BRAZIL | SWITZERLAND | COSTA RICA | SERBIA Key game Brazil-Switzerland (17 June 2018, Rostov Arena, Rostov-on-Don) This meeting will be crucial to both sides' hopes of winning the section and, if history is anything to go by, avoiding reigning world champions Germany in the last 16. It promises to be an attractive encounter too, as Brazil pitch their enterprising, attack-minded brand of football against a Switzerland side that might lack the same offensive firepower but nevertheless boasts plenty of pace and a fondness for possession. What you need to know
The stat 1 - After Russia, who qualified automatically as tournament hosts, Brazil were the first side to seal their place at Russia 2018, courtesy of their 3-0 defeat of Paraguay on 28 March 2017. Group F: Tough to call behind Germany Teams GERMANY | MEXICO | SWEDEN | KOREA REPUBLIC Key game Mexico-Sweden (17 June 2018, Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow) While nothing can be taken for granted at the World Cup, four-time world champions and current FIFA Confederations Cup holders Germany are widely expected to top this group. That means that this duel between Mexico and Sweden could play a vital role in determining who secures the second Round of 16 spot – although Korea Republic will also be keen to have a say in the matter. What you need to know
The stat 16 - The number of goals scored in the two matches between Sweden and Germany during 2014 FIFA World Cup™ qualification. Joachim Low’s side threw away a 4-0 lead in an incredible game in Berlin in October 2012 that ultimately ended 4-4. A year later in Solna, the Germans turned a 2-0 deficit into a 5-3 win. |
19-05-2018, 06:06 PM | #4 |
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Group G: Golden generations looking to shine
Teams BELGIUM | PANAMA | TUNISIA | ENGLAND Key Game Belgium-England (28 June 2018, Kaliningrad Stadium, Kaliningrad) Belgium have been tipped for greatness for several years now, with the Red Devils possessing blistering potential in a superb crop of players. Their golden generation is not getting any younger, however, and their fans will be hoping they can hit their promised heights at the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™ – providing they do not stumble against a rejuvenated England team which has posted impressive results and earned widespread praise. Both teams are outside contenders for the title, and they are sure to serve up an engaging spectacle, particularly as many of Belgium's key players are based in the English Premier League. What you need to know
The stat 1 - England have lost just once in 21 meetings with Belgium, that sole reverse dating back to a friendly in 1936. Since then, the two sides have crossed paths twice at World Cup finals, drawing 4-4 in 1954 before David Platt's last-gasp goal earned England victory in 1990. Group H: Poland head wide open group Teams POLAND | SENEGAL | COLOMBIA | JAPAN Key Game Poland-Colombia (24 June 2018, Kazan Arena, Kazan) The clash between Poland and Colombia could prove pivotal, in terms of who will advance to the knockout stages. Both sides possess an array of talent that have the potential to set the tournament alight, and this match-up at the Kazan Arena may provide the platform for a memorable individual or team display. What you need to know
The stat 16 - the number of goals that Poland captain Robert Lewandowski scored in ten appearances to top the European qualifying scoring charts. |
19-05-2018, 06:07 PM | #5 |
Arofanatic
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The computers have spoken
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19-05-2018, 06:11 PM | #6 |
Arofanatic
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OUT: Anthony Martial, Adrien Rabiot, Alexandre Lacazette
IN: Nabil Fekir, Florian Thauvin, Steven N’Zonzi France name their 23-man squad for Russia! |
18-06-2018, 09:57 AM | #7 |
Endangered Dragon
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18-06-2018, 10:51 AM | #8 |
Arofanatic
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The Swiss employed all tricks up their sleeves to foil Neymar in their great draw against tournament fav Brazil. Of the 10 fouls against him, 3 resulted in yellow card.
He should be expecting these sort of rough tactics to unsettle him throughout the tournament cos most teams know that he gets frustrated very easily. So far, form books have been thrown into disarray. So expect Tunisia to beat England |
18-06-2018, 10:51 AM | #9 |
Dragon
Join Date: Oct 2000
Posts: 940
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Can Tunisia cause another upset?
Mexico win 1 pay 9 Tunisia win 1 pay 8.50......Hmmmm |
18-06-2018, 11:23 AM | #10 |
Senior Dragon
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 4,576
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So far very solid performances by the so-called underdog teams. No fear and take the game to the favourites.
I think only Saudi match abit disappointing |
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