Introduction: The Qatar World Cup, destined to go down in history, is not only because the football temple opened its doors to Arab countries for the first time in winter, but also because it was the last tournament before the World Cup expansion by the round of 32.
The level of terror in Group E is universally recognized.
Germany and Spain, the two World Cup and European Championship "double champions" teams, plus Asian champion Japan and the "Pirates of the Caribbean" Costa Rica team with their own dark horse genes, Group E group stage is destined to be full of intensity. The match between Germany and Spain will be the only championship-level match in the group stage, which will inevitably ignite the enthusiasm of the green field.
Germany: "Germanic tanks" set sail again
In the history of the World Cup, Germany has won the title four times. However, in the last World Cup, the defending champion Germany did not escape the "curse" and was eliminated in the group stage.
Although today's "Germanic tanks" are no longer the favorites to win the championship, the "Germanic tanks" that have always been precise, well-managed and high-speed can not be underestimated at any time.
Moreover, Germany is trying to regain the feeling of a "Germanic chariot". Frick took over the whip from champion coach Löw, bringing a youthful storm and a more aggressive style of play to the German team. The parts of the combat vehicle, which are getting older, have been given a new look.
Head coach Frick. FIFA
At the moment, the age structure of this German team is reasonable. Veteran Müller, Neuer, Goetze and Ginter are like a needle in the sea, and they can use their rich experience to help the team; Mesozoic players Kimmich, Gundogan, Sane, Rudiger, etc. became the mainstay of the team; New stars such as Havertz and Musiala are also growing in the grind.
Of course, this year's German team is not perfect. There are two biggest problems with the "Germanic tank": first, after the retirement of "K God" Klose, the German team has been lacking in successors; The second is the shadow of injury.
Muller. FIFA
Because the European competition before the World Cup was too dense, the German team was greatly affected by injuries, with Timo Werner and Reus in the forward line withdrawing due to injury. Timo Werner, in particular, the Leipzig striker who has scored nine goals and four assists for the club this season should have been an arrow on the German tank. However, due to a torn ankle ligament, he completely missed the World Cup, which made the already weak German forward even worse.
In general, as long as the boat does not capsize in the gutter, there is not much problem for the German team to qualify. However, this is the first time that new head coach Frick has led the "Germanic Chariots" to the World Cup, and I believe his ambition will definitely not be just to qualify from the group.
Full squad of the German team:
Goalkeepers: Neuer (Bayern), Trapp (Eintracht Frankfurt), ter Stegen (Barca)
Defenders: Kotchap (Southampton), Ginter (Freiburg), Günther (Freiburg), Correll (West Ham), Klostermann (Leipzig), Raum (Leipzig), Rudiger (Real Madrid), Schlotebeck (Dort), Juller (Dort)
Midfielders/forwards: Adeyemi (Dort), Brant (Dort), Philkruger (Bremen), Gnabry (Bayern), Gretzka (Bayern), Goetze (Eintracht Eintracht), Gundogan (Manchester City), Kai Havertz (Chelsea), Hoffmann (Borussia Mönchen), Kimmich (Bayern), Mukoko (Dort), Musiala (Bayern), Muller (Bayern), Sane (Bayern).
Spain: "Matador" newcomers pick the beams
As the 2010 World Cup champion, the Spanish team once had a lot of glory, but with the retirement of the golden generation, the "Matador" lost the heart and face of the champion.
This is the 16th time in the history of the Spanish team to participate in the World Cup. In recent years, the Matador Legion has experienced a slump, but, after a painful alternation of old and new, the Spanish team, which has a large number of new and non-big players, has regained its feet, reaching the semi-finals at Euro 2020, finishing second in the 2021-2022 UEFA Nations League and taking silver at the Tokyo Olympics.
Spain won the Hercules Cup at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Guo Yong
Today, the young Spanish team is full of energy: Ferran Torres has become the heart of the team's attack, scoring four goals in the World Qualifiers; The 19-year-old Pedri has excellent individual ability and has been dubbed Spain's "next Iniesta" by Barca manager Xavi; Garvey is only 18 years old, but he is already a regular in Barca... Flexible, skilled and capable of reading matches, these young men combine the delicate technique of traditional Spanish football with the passionate "bullfighter" spirit.
Spain's Pedri in training. Xinhua News Agency/Ou Xin
Now the Spanish team has regained its former rhythm of passing and controlling football, and speed in the middle circle is the team's biggest tactical feature. However, the Spanish team's problem is also prominent, which is the lack of leaders in the back line after Ramos and Pique faded out, and the likes of Morata and Ferran Torres have recently been in a slump in the league in the front.
It is widely believed that the transforming "bullfighter" has the potential to win the championship. I hope that this Spanish team, which alternates between old and new and young, can not only show its strength in the present, but also make a difference in the future.
Spain team full roster:
Goalkeepers: Unai Simon (Athletic Bilbao), Robert Sanchez (Brighton), David Raya (Brentford);
Defenders: Carvajal (Real Madrid), Cesar Azpilicueta (Chelsea), Eric Garcia (Barcelona), Gigliamón (Valencia), Laporte (Manchester City), Torres (Villarreal), Alba (Barcelona), Gaia (Valencia);
Midfielders: Sergio Busquets (Barcelona), Rodri (Manchester City), Pedri (Barcelona), Garvey (Barcelona), Cork (Atletico Madrid), Marcos Llorente (Atletico Madrid), Carlos Soler (Paris Saint-Germain);
Forwards: Morata (Atletico Madrid), Ferran Torres (Barcelona), Dani Olmo (Leipzig), Nico Williams (Athletic Bilbao), Sarabia (Paris Saint-Germain), Asensio (Real Madrid), Jeremi Pino (Villarreal), Ansu Fati (Barcelona)
Japan: "Blue Samurai" aims for the quarterfinals
Since 1998, Japanese football has reached the main tournament of the World Cup seven times in a row, three of which have reached the round of 16 from the group stage.
Although the Germans and West are the favourites to qualify for Group E, as the strongest teams in East Asia, Japan's performance will inevitably become the focus of Asian football.
The Japanese team's technical and tactical style and display are dominant, based on excellent players. Among the 26-man squad for this year's World Cup, there are as many as 20 players from Japan in Europe, and 19 players are participating in the World Cup for the first time.
In the Group H stage of the World Cup in Russia, Japan defeated Colombia. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter He Canling
To be honest, although Japan coach Hoichi Mori shouted the slogan of aiming for the quarterfinals, it is still very difficult to break through in the group of death.
Japanese media generally believe that the Qatar World Cup is a World Cup that is crucial for Japanese football. "The era of Keisuke Honda and Shinji Kagawa is over. The World Cup is a game that people who don't know football also pay attention to. If no new offensive heroes are born here, Japanese football will go into winter. ”
Full roster of the Japanese team:
Goalkeepers: Eiji Kawashima (Strasbourg), Shuichi Kwon Da (Shimizu), Daniel Schmidt (Saint Truldun)
Defenders: Yuto Nagatomo (Tokyo FC), Maya Yoshida (Schalke 04), Hiroki Sakai (Urawa Red Diamond), Shogo Taniguchi (Kawasaki Frontale), Itakura (Borussia Mönchen), Yuta Nakayama (Championship Huddersfield), Kenhiro Tomiyasu (Arsenal), Yoki Ito (Stuttgart)
Midfielders/Frontfielders: Takashi Shibasaki (Nishi B Leganes), Hang Endo (Stuttgart), Junya Ito (Reims), Mitsurai Yamane (Kawasaki Frontale), Takuma Asano (Bochum), Kaoru Mikasa (Brighton), Dairan Maeda (Celtic), Ritsu Don (Freiburg), Kiyo Ueda (Bruges), Bibi Tanaka (Deutsche Dusseldorf), Hidei Kuya (Real Sociedad), Yuki Soma (Nagoya Whales), Hidemasa Morita (Sporting Portugal), Daichi Kamata (Frankfurt), Takumi Minamino (Monaco)
Costa Rica: "Pirates of the Caribbean" is not connected
In terms of paper strength alone, no matter which group they are assigned to, it means "death" for Costa Rica, but they are known as "Pirates of the Caribbean", and they have a natural drive to mix up, and if they are not careful, they can make a world powerhouse in disgrace.
However, since 2014, Costa Rica's squad has not been connected, and there has been a talent gap. According to the 26-man roster released by Costa Rica, this is a full-fledged civilian team, with very few players playing in the five major leagues, and more than a dozen people over 30 years old, and the team is aging more seriously.
Costa Rica players celebrate their victory after their victory over New Zealand in the intercontinental play-offs of the Qatar World Cup qualifiers. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Wang Dongzhen
However, civilian teams do not mean there are no bright spots. Goalkeeper Keylor Navas, known as the "Wall", was one of Real Madrid's three consecutive Champions League titles and currently plays for Ligue 1 giants Paris Saint-Germain. Having made 106 appearances for the national team, he is the soul of Costa Rica.
Up front, former Arsenal striker Joel Campbell will play the decisive role, and it was thanks to his goal that Costa Rica eliminated New Zealand in the World Cup qualifying play-offs and hitched a ride on the final train of the World Cup in Qatar.
Bennett, an 18-year-old left-winger who plays for Championship side Sunderland, is fast and explosive and will be a sharp sword in Costa Rica's counter-tactics.
To be reasonable, Costa Rica, the "group of death", has seen a lot, and it is not undone to break out from the "group of death". "Pirates of Garibi" have dark horse genes, and all those who despise them will definitely pay the price.
Full list of Costa Rica teams:
Goalkeepers: Klor Navas (Paris Saint-Germain), Esteban Alvarado (Heredia), Patrick Sequeira (Lugo)
Defenders: Francisco Calvo (Sporting Conya), Juan Pablo Vargas (millionaire), Kendall Vorston (Saprivissa), Oscar Duarte (Voghda), Daniel Chacón (Colorado Rapids), Xchelle Fuller (Heredia), Carlos Martínez (San Carlos), Brian Oviedo (Real Salt Lake City), Ronald Matarita (Cincinnati)
Midfielders: Yersin Tejeda (Heredia), Celso Borges (Alajuela), Jostin Salas (Sapurissa), Roan Wilson (Gricia), Kherson Torres (Heredia), Douglas López (Heredia), Jevison Bennett (Sunderland), Álvaro Zamora (Zapresa), Anthony Hernández (Puntarenas), Blandon Aguilera (Guanacasteca), Brian A. Ruiz (Alajuela)
Forwards: Hoel Campbell (Leon), Anthony Contreras (Heredia), John Benecas (Alajuela)
(Article synthesis: China News Network, Xinhua News Agency, Beijing Evening News, Peninsula News, Yangtze Evening News, Qiu Di, etc.)