Argentina are the favourites to win the group because of the presence of Lionel Messi. AFP The start of the 2018 World Cup is 10 days away and in the build-up to the tournament we are looking at what soccer lovers can expect in each of the eight groups.
In this segment, we take a look at the teams drawn in Group D, dubbed as the Group of Death. The group is full of strong teams – Argentina, Croatia, Iceland and Nigeria - and the general feeling is that the winners of the Argentina-Croatia tie at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium on June 21 would top the group.
However, given the fact that Nigeria and Iceland have the ability to beat anybody on their day, it would not be a surprise if they upset the above-mentioned heavyweights’ apple-cart. All eyes will be on superstars Lionel Messi, Sergio Aguero, Ivan Rakitic and Luka Modric who are expected to try and do everything to help their national sides escape this vicious group.
Here is all you need to know about this tough group:
Iceland
FIFA ranking: 22
Head coach: Heimir Hallgrímsson
The plucky little Iceland will be everyone’s favourite underdog at the 2018 FIFA World Cup. The entire football world sat and took note of them when they reached the quarterfinals of the 2016 UEFA Euro championship by beating England 2-1 in the round of 16.
Guided by a coach who also works as a part-time dentist, the tiny island nation showed the world that their success at the Euros was no fluke when they topped the UEFA qualification Group I ahead of Croatia, Ukraine, Turkey, Finland, and Kosovo to directly qualify for the World Cup for the first time in their history.
At Euro 2016, the passionate support from their countrymen was exemplified by the famous ‘Viking clap', which is sure to reappear in Russia, and may just propel them to pull off some upsets.
Strengths: The never-say-die attitude and the ability to play as a cohesive unit.
Weaknesses: Some of their frontline players including Everton’s Gylfi Sigurdsson, Kolbeinn Sigthorsson, Aron Gunnarsson and Alfred Finnbogason have fitness issues.
Number to remember
With a population of 3.3 lakh, the Nordic country has now managed to qualify for a major tournament for the second time in a row.
Argentina
FIFA ranking: 4
Head coach: Jorge Sampaoli
Argentina are the favourites to win the group because of the presence of one man - Lionel Messi - who has dominated club football at will over the last decade. He scored seven goals throughout the qualifying stage including a hat-trick in the pivotal last game against Ecuador to steer them into the finals. Will he be able to make his mark on the national team before ending his career in the blue and white striped shirt?
Sampaoli was the coach of the Chilean side which beat Argentina in the final of the 2016 Copa America Centenario.
Strengths: Argentina have some of the best strikers of the top-flight leagues in the world. Their attack comprising Messi (Barcelona), Paulo Dybala and Gonzalo Higuain (Juventus), and Sergio Agüero (Manchester City) is arguably the best of all.
Weaknesses: The squad has plenty of questions to answer, especially on the team formation. The coach has tried out different combinations to get the balance right in the midfield, but he has not been able to fix the problem yet.
Number to remember
Argentina have fallen at the final hurdle in seven international tournaments following their Copa America title win in 1993. That include the Confederation Cup finals in 1995 and 2005, Copa America finals in 2004, 2007, 2015, and 2016, and the 2014 World Cup final. Their only title wins during the period came at the 2004 and 2008 Olympic Games.
Croatia
FIFA ranking: 18
Head coach: Zlatko Dalic
Croatia's midfielder Luka Modric, left, and head coach Zlatko Dalic during a press conference in Liverpool on Saturday. AFPCroatia are often considered a dark horse for every tournament they participate in. A third-place finish in 1998 by their golden generation including Davor Suker and Zvonimir Boban remains their best finish on the world stage till date. Croatia flaunts some of the most talented midfielders of the era and among those to watch out for are Real Madrid’s Luka Modric and Barcelona’s Ivan Rakitic.
Strengths: Their midfield. Apart from Rakitic and Modric, Real Madrid’s Mateo Kovacic and Inter Milan’s Marcelo Brozovic will also be patrolling the midfield for the Croats. The team’s attack too is formidable as Inter Milan’s Ivan Perisic and Juventus’ Mario Mandzukic are proven goal-scorers.
Weaknesses: Despite having some of the finest players in their rankings, Croatia needed a play-off win over Greece to reach the World Cup. The lack of match experience of coach Dalic may come to the fore while taking on bigger opponents.
Number to remember
Croatia was ranked 125th in March, 1994, but they jumped to the third spot in January, 1999, on the back of some excellent results.
Nigeria
FIFA ranking: 47
Head coach: Gernot Rohr
Nigeria were the first African team to book their ticket to Russia by easily winning their qualifying group comprising Cameroon, Zambia, and Algeria. As the Super Eagles will be appearing for their sixth World Cup with a painfully low world ranking, they will be desperate to progress from the group and make deep runs into the tournament. Their fighting spirit was on display last November when they beat Argentina in a friendly tie after trailing 0-2.
Strengths: With Chelsea’s Viktor Moses, Leicester’s Kelechi Iheanacho, Mainz’s Leon Balogun, Arsenal’s Alex Iwobi and former Chelsea midfielder Mikel John Obi in their ranks Nigeria are second to none when it comes to star power.
Weaknesses: Nigeria could not find a replacement for their legendary goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama. The shot-stoppers in the Russia-bound squad - Francis Uzoho and Ikechukwu Ezenwa - lack big-match experience.
Number to remember
Nigeria changed their coach eight times since the last World Cup following a string of poor performances. German Rohr took charge in August, 2016, and immediately revived their fortunes.
