Germany’s goalkeeper Manuel Neuer during a friendly match against Oman in Muscat, yesterday. AFP
Doha: Germany and Spain aside, Group E promises to be exciting, with Japan and Costa Rica primed for major upsets. Many may expect the two European heavyweights with five titles between them (Germany four, Spain 1) to come out of the group unscathed, but the other two sides have been impressive in the last two World Cups. Both sides will meet on November 27 at the Al Bayt Stadium, a rematch of the 2010 semi-final which Spain won.
At the 2018 World Cup, Japan narrowly lost to Belgium in the round of 16, while Costa Rica topped their group in 2014 in Brazil despite having to contend with Uruguay, Italy and England – the latter two both failed to make it out of the group.
Tiki-taka?
Heading to Qatar, Spain are arguably the favourites to top the group, but Luis Enrique’s side are a far cry from the team that dominated world football from 2008 to 2012. Starting with Luis Aragones leading La Roja to Euro 2008 victory, Vicente Del Bosque’s side with Xavi, Iniesta, Sergio Ramos, David Villa, Casillas, and Sergio Busquets were otherworldly as they cruised to two major titles –the World Cup in South Africa, and Euro 2012. As that famed side aged, La Roja crashed in the group stage of 2014 in Brazil and managed to make the round of 16 in Russia, where they lost to the host nation on penalties.
Since Enrique took over, the 52-year-old has infused his personality on the squad and has not been shy to cut off those he thinks are no use, like Ramos and David de Gea, both players were dropped from the former Barcelona coach’s 26-man squad for the World Cup. However, with seven wins in their last 10 games, Spain will start the World Cup on a confident footing with Alvaro Morata up front and the midfield duo of Barca’s Pedri and Gavi, Atletico’s Koke and the old head Busquets.
German machine
Hansi Flick has enjoyed a solid run at the helm of the German side, finishing top of their qualifying group for the World Cup, scoring 36 goals. Flick replaced Joachim Low, who led Germany to the 2014 title in Brazil, but a shock group exit in 2018 and a shambolic run at Euro 2020 meant a new voice was needed at the helm. Flick led Die Mannshaft to third recently in its group of the EUFA Nations League.
The emerging young stars like Jamal Musiala, and Youssoufa Moukoko, with established players like Manuel Neuer, Antonio Rudiger, Thomas Muller, Serge Gnabry, Leroy Sane and others, the Germans have a solid team to go all the way. They’ll, however, miss the injured Timo Werner and Marco Reus, but the surprise inclusion of Mario Gotze, who famously scored the winner in the final against Argentina, has raised eyebrows as the 30-year-old has suffered from a spade of injuries limiting his game time.
The Samurai Blue
The 2002 World Cup joint host Japan has made the knockout stage in three of the last five World Cups and has made seven appearances in total. They have also managed a sturdy defence recently, conceding just four goals in 10 final-round qualifiers leading to Qatar.
Coach Hajime Moriyasu has had four years to build a squad for the World Cup and could have had a trophy to his name, but Japan lost the 2019 Asian Cup final to World Cup host Qatar. Moriyasu replaced Akira Nishino, who took temporary charge in Russia after Vahid Halilhodvic was fired weeks before the tournament.
The 54-year-old Moriyasu has stuck with the experienced duo of Maya Yoshida and Hiroki Sakai – the only remaining members from the 2018 squad. Rising star Takefusa Kubo is also in and is expected to shine on the world stage. Junya Ito, Daichi Kamada, Takehiro Tomiyasu and former Liverpool man Takumi Minamino are also set to star as Japan look to cause a major upset. The Samurai Blue’s are also famous for leaving their dressing room clean and neat, so hopefully, we will see more of that in Qatar.
Los Ticos
It was a hard road to Qatar for Costa Rica, who made a slow start to their CONCACAF qualification campaign. However, the introduction of Jewison Bennette and Anthony Contreras has been a revelation for the Central Americans. Coach Luis Fernando Suárez’s side overcame their slow start to go on a run of five wins from their final six matches and beat New Zealand in the play-off to book their sixth World Cup finals.
Led by veteran forward Bryan Luiz and goalkeeper Keylor Navas, Costa Rica’s major problem could be the ageing stars, as most of the projected starters are 30 years of age or older. Los Ticos may need Navas to be at his best if they are to make it past the early stage.
