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WC 14: The Major Questions, Team By Team – Group H

By on June 10, 2014

With just days to go till the big kick-off, what are the major questions going into the 2014 World Cup? James Cartwright reviews the questions surrounding Group H.

Group H

Can Belgium live up to expectations?
Understandably with all their talent, mainly from the Premier League, Belgium have dubbed as ‘dark horses’ by almost every pundit around to the point where they are no longer a dark horse. With the likes of Thibaut Courtois, Vincent Kompany and Eden Hazard in their side, they clearly have one of the best squads in the tournament.  There is group is also favorable with Russia the only side really capable of giving them a scare before the knockout stages.

However, it will be the knockout stages where they will be found out. With no World Cup experience it’s difficult to see them progressing to
the Quarter Finals when they will have to face a side out of the group of death. For all their talent, the weight of expectation will probably
prove to be too much for the Red Devils.

Will Sofiane Feghouli deliver?
Algeria will be relying heavily on Valencia midfielder Sofiane Feghouli during the tournament. The 24-year old will be expected to be the main hub of creativity and a source of goals if Algeria are to progress to the Round of 16. It is big ask for a player that has never played in
World Cup finals and has only had tournament experience in the Africa Cup of Nations group stage. It is also difficult to see him making a
huge impact given that Algeria will be expected to have less of the ball at the World Cup.

Can Fabio Capello get it right this time?
As manager of England at the 2010 World Cup, Fabio Capello got the preparation for the tournament seriously wrong with the camp selection and the preparation for games. This time round as the manager of Russia his preparations will come under scrutiny once again. He has selected a reasonable base near Itu in the centre of Brazil and the distance to travel to games is within reason also.

Will South Korea’s Bundesliga stars deliver?
Five of South Korea’s 23-man squad currently play in the Bundesliga. Hong Jeong-Ho, Park Joo-Ho, Koo Ja-Cheol, Son Heung-Min and Ji Dong-Won all ply their trade in Germany’s top flight. Much of the pressure will be on Son Heung-Min ,who enjoyed a successful first season with Bayer Leverkusen. The 21-year-old will be relied on to score the goals for South Korea with pace and skill expected to be a key factor. If South Korea do progress, he will be the main reason behind it.

About James Cartwright

Sports Journalism student - Long suffering Boro and Steelers fan.