Group E
Two Former World Champions collide in the shape of Germany and Spain. Costa Rica join the party too; can Costa Rica spring a surprise like 2014 – they topped a group with Uruguay, Italy and England?
Germany crashed out rock-bottom in their group in 2018 suffering losses to Mexico and South Korea while Spain were surprisingly knocked out by the hosts 4 years ago. Japan have always been hardworking teams at World Cups, but can they start beating the better sides? Japan last faced Germany back in 2006 and Spain in 2001 so an unknown quantity for all involved. Germany failing at 2 World Cups in a row will is hard to believe and have picked up some form in the last 18 months. Spain are a long way from their outstanding 2008-2012 team but remain heavyweights - many international players plying their trade at Champions League winners Real Madrid.
Costa Rica
2014's Costa Rica conquered Italy, Uruguay and England. Can 2022's Costa Rica conquer Spain, Germany and Japan?
La Fuente de la Hispanidad is a fountain in Costa Rica, located outside the San Pedro Mall. It is here that Costa Ricans celebrate momentous occasions such as in 2014 where Costa Rica reached the Quarter Finals, surpassing all expectations. Fans will be hoping that come the end of December, that they will be congregating there once again.
Concacaf qualifying was underwhelming at the start but was overcome by an 11-match unbeaten streak saw them finish 4th in the group and then go on to beat New Zealand in the inter-confederational play-off. An early goal from Joel Campbell settled the game with Chris Wood unable to find a way through the Costa Rican defence in Qatar.
The standout player is Keylor Navas who has won multiple Champions League titles with Real Madrid and now plays for PSG. The names are familiar which reflects a stable squad but perhaps an ageing one. Captain Bryan Ruiz is 37 and has almost made 150 appearances for Costa Rica. The aforementioned Joel Campbell is their first choice striker and still scores regularly – he himself surpassed 115 caps. Costa Rica will likely play 5 at the back, much like how they faced off against USA. Calos Martinez (San Carlos), Daniel Charcon (C.S. Cartaginés) Kendall Waston ( San José), Juan Vargas (Millonarios) and Ian Lawrence (Alajuelense) all started that day.
So, what are their chances in the World Cup?
Manager: Luis Fernando Suarez (Columbia) is a former defender who played in the 1980’s and 1990’s. Costa Rica is the third international team he has managed following Ecuador and Honduras, both were at the World Cup too. According to a FIFA interview, Suarez has had the names of his group rivals on his fridge door since the draw – he describes it as an obsession albeit as a healthy one. That was prior to the playoff against New Zealand which he duly guided his Costa Rican side by. “It is an obsession that I always pursued. To be in this position is beautiful,” he added.
Key Players: Whether he is guaranteed to take to the field will be one thing, but Bryan Ruiz will be a part of the squad. “This is my last World Cup and I want it to be the best it can be. I want to help in any way I can.” His leadership, quality and experience will be needed and alongside Keylor Navas who isn’t shy of giving an inspirational speech or two to his teammates will allow younger squad players to call upon their footballing wisdom. He doesn’t appear to be the tallest of goalkeepers (6ft1) but his quick reactions are his trademark. He will be hoping that his failed transfer to Napoli in the summer and his subsequent lack of playing time at PSG at club level (thanks to Gianluigi Donnarumma) won’t rob him of his form.
Germany
Germany are looking to rediscover their ruthless edge.
Despite the inconsistency there is plenty of talent and confidence in the side. Manuel Neuer and Thomas Muller remain and bring vast experience. In front of the evergreen Neuer is Real Madrid’s Antonio Rudiger and Niklas Sule of Borussia Dortmund. Manchester City’s Ilkay Gundogan sits in front has scored 14 goals for the national side and 27 goals for his club in the past 2 seasons. His partner in midfield, Joshua Kimmich, is perhaps the most important. Kimmich, who plays for German giants Bayern Munich, is a ball-winner in midfield able to disrupt opposition in possession whilst also able to quickly play devastating through balls taking out several players with one pass.
So, what are their chances in the World Cup?
Verdict: Group E runners up (4 points) Quarter Finals
Key Players: Defender Antonio Rudiger needs no introduction ranking as a top-class Premier League defender and now as part of the defence at European Champions Real Madrid. Flick highlighted his class: “(Rüdiger) has made a fantastic development. The fact he’s joining Real Madrid is a reward for his work. He is someone who is always very focused in training. He is an absolute leader." But full-back David Raum may need some introduction. Originally a forward at club side Greuther Furth but not prevailing in game time, assistant coach Andre Mijatovic retrained Raum as a left-back: “Mijatovic is a defensive expert who explained the back line’s movement and one-vs-ones to me,” Raum said. Solid defensive performances followed by assists earned him a move to Hoffenheim where he chalked up 13 assists and the solution to Germany’s left back problem, created when Lahm left the international stage in 2017. Neuer is indispensable and has beaten German goalkeeper legend’s Oliver Kahn clean sheet record in the Bundesliga. His experience will be invaluable - 110 appearances for his country. He will need to be at his best in Qatar to drag Germany through the latter stages of the competition, that is for sure.
Japan
Hardworking side looking to upset the big teams and set the example.
Japan have some players well known to European spectators, Minamino who has been plying his trade at Liverpool in recent seasons, Tomiyasu at Arsenal, Kaoru Mitoma at Brighton & Hove Albion (who has 5 goals in 8 appearances), Kyogo Furuhashi & Daizen Maeda at Celtic, Takefusa Kubo at Real Sociedad and Maya Yoshida at Sampdoria (formerly at Southampton). But perhaps the most important may be Daichi Kamada, a forward who plays in the Bundesliga for Eintracht Frankfurt. Usually he scores 5-10 goals a season but he has already amassed 6 goals in 10 appearances (4 of which at the time of writing have come in the league). What Kamada is able to do well is find and run into space, finish with both feet and inject a burst of pace and quick feet to ensure the ball ends up in the back of the net. Although their endeavour and high energy are calling cards of Japan’s performances, it is how they leave the game which caught the imagination of global supporters at the last World Cup – both players and fans alike leave their changing rooms and seats spotless after their games, bringing rubbish bags as they go – an example for all supporters.
Verdict: Group stage (1 point - 4th )
Spain
Young contingent hope to emulate 2010 heroes...
Technically gifted midfielders remain a hallmark of the Spanish national team, although probably a tough ask to match World Cup winning Barcelona duo Xavi and Iniesta. Sergio Busquets may be picked for captain and perhaps lining up alongside him will be highly rated Pedri, new Barcelona recruit Ferran Torres with 0.54 goals per game and former Manchester City teammates Rodri and Laporte. A team packed with quality but remains to be seen whether they can be shaped into a title winning outfit.
So, what are their chances in the World Cup?
Key Players: Gavi, at 18, has made a huge impact at both club and international level. According to Coaches Voice Gavi has a low centre of gravity and good strength, his turns on the ball when he is found between the lines are one of the best ways to make progress against opponents in a deep lying defence or with tightly packed lines. His technical ability means he can pass balls through narrow passages finding target players with ease. One surprise key player is not a gifted midfielder but one between the posts - Athletic Bilbao goalkeeper Unai Simon. He has the 2019-20 SuperCup under his belt but what is more impressive is he is only 24 and seems to have cemented the number 1 position. Luis Enrique has explained his decision to omit David De Gea from his Spain squad, stating that "a goalkeeper should start the play and dominate aerially" and should display “calmness”. Enrique wants a sweeper keeper, and should Simon not start, Premier League duo Raya and Sanchez are more than ready to take his place.
