The 2017 Confederations Cup is Here!
Inexplicably, we are only one year away from the beginning of the 2018 World Cup in Russia. Fans from all across the globe will flock to the gigantic country in order to celebrate the world’s most significant event.
To start the tournament, host Russia will square off versus New Zealand on June 17.
But before we break out the vodka and confetti, there’s still the matter of this year’s major tournament: The Confederations Cup. This dress rehearsal will give the country of Russia itself a small taste of what it will be like when hosting the main event the following year.
Duly, it provides eight teams (Russia, Germany, Chile, New Zealand, Australia, Cameroon, Mexico, Portugal) with some experience in these World Cup venues.
This piece will look at a number of things — including a brief overview on each side, young players to look out for, the superstar talent in the field, prominent storylines, and a prediction as to what will happen in the tournament.
Image Source: ESPN
Overview: New Zealand
The lowest ranked team in the tournament (a FIFA ranking of 95), the Kiwis simply have nothing to lose in this competition. No one is expecting them to advance from Group A — much less win a match.
The side has dropped its last two matches — consecutive 1-0 defeats to the likes of Northern Ireland and Belarus. A physical squad, New Zealand will likely rely upon grit and guile when attempting to secure points. Striker Chris Wood is the unquestioned best player on the roster. He led the English Championship in goals this past season (27), and looks primed for a possible leap to the English Premier League this upcoming year.
Overview: Australia
The Socceroos find themselves pitted in the “group of death” — as they’re clumped together with favorites Chile and Germany, and an upstart Cameroon squad. In a tune-up friendly versus Brazil, Australia got demolished by a score of 4-0.
With that said, this isn’t a side to be taken lightly. Wily 37-year-old striker Tim Cahill is still a fixture within the squad. Mathew Leckie is considered one of the fastest players in the Bundesliga, and certainly will have some familiarity when the two teams square off in pool play. Duly, midfielder Aaron Mooy has established himself as a consistent force in the center of the park.
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Overview: Portugal
Portugal — coming off of a highly successful EURO 2016 triumph — will look to bring the same sort of momentum to Russia. The team is loaded, with elite talent at every level. It’s a solid mix of veteran leadership spliced together with precocious up-and-comers.
Portugal has won their last two games in rather easy fashion — trouncing Cyprus 4-0, and Latvia 3-0.
Image Source: Goal.com
Overview: Cameroon
Les Lions Indomptables is a big unknown heading into this tournament. Besting traditional African powers such as Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire and Nigeria, Cameroon will represent the continent on the success it had in the African Cup of Nations.
It’s a team with players plying their trades all across the country. In fact, all but four members of the roster are signed to European clubs. Cameroon enters with plenty of momentum — considering it hasn’t lost since May 2016. This includes four-straight victories over the likes of Ghana, Egypt, Tunisia, and Morocco.
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Overview: Mexico
Mexico brings a full-strength squad to Russia in hopes of bringing back its first Confederations Cup title since 1999. Aging at a glacial pace, the 38-year-old Rafa Marquez will yet again be the veteran presence for a rather young squad.
Head coach Juan Carlos Osorio will look to get youngsters Jurgen Damm, Hirving Lozano, and Carlos Salcedo some more international experience. Duly, the team can rely on a litany of European-based players — such as Hector Moreno, Miguel Layun, Diego Reyes, Hector Herrera, Marco Fabian, Andres Guardado, Raul Jimenez, Carlos Vela, and the ever popular Chicharito.
Image Source: Los Angeles Times
Overview: Chile
Chile is back as one of the big favorites in this field. A deep and talented squad, manager Juan Antonio Pizzi employs a pressing style of play — which perfectly fits the athletic and exuberant personnel he’s got to his disposal.
Stalwarts Arturo Vidal and Alexis Sánchez are still in their respective primes. Gary Medel adds considerable bite on the backline, and Eduardo Vargas can be a lethal goal poacher when given the opportunity. The chemistry of this squad simply cannot be overstated enough.
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Overview: Russia
Russia is currently in the midst of a transition. Once thought to be an archaic side, it’s now ushering in an era of youth. A disastrous 2016 EURO showing necessitated a change, and thus far it’s paying dividends.
The young side recently drew respectable competition in Chile (1-1) and Belgium (3-3). It also thumped Hungary by a score of 3-0 earlier this month. Keep an eye out for attacking options Aleksandr Golovin and Fyodor Smolov. While Russia doesn’t possess the same quality as Group A competitors Mexico and Portugal, playing at home should be a big advantage.
Image Source: Sky Sports
Overview: Germany
While many would presume Germany to be the odds-on favorite to win the entire tournament, manager Jogi Low opted for more of an experimental side. Normal shoe-ins Jerome Boateng, Mats Hummels, Manuel Neuer, Thomas Müller, Mesut Özil, and Toni Kroos were all left at home.
This is surely a test for younger players to prove themselves ahead of next year’s World Cup. Low will be looking to add ancillary depth to his squad — as the group of aforementioned players simply have nothing to prove. Though this might not be Germany’s “A” team, there’s more than enough quality to win the entire tournament.
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Best Young Players to Watch in Group A: Mexico FW Hirving Lozano and Portugal FW/MF Bernardo Silva
Lozano has been rumored to be moving across the pond for quite sometime. A tricky player, he absolutely terrorized United States international DeAndre Yedlin in a recent World Cup Qualifying match. He possesses lethal quickness, and certainly offers Mexico plenty when going forward. Don’t be shocked if the 21-year-old ends up in Manchester — with either United or City.
Silva — a 22-year-old dynamo from Lisbon — just made a €50 million move from Monaco to English giant Manchester City. The starlet is exceptional when dribbling the football. Silva also has immense touch on the ball — demonstrated technically when taking players on as well as when spraying the ball around the pitch. As Cristiano Ronaldo gets older, Silva looks primed to take the baton as the next great attacking Portuguese player.
Image Source: Daily Star
Best Young Players to Watch in Group B: German MF Julian Draxler and Cameroon FW Vincent Aboubakar
Aboubakar has carved out a very nice career for himself overseas. The physical striker has produced in every stop — including in France, Portugal, and currently in Turkey. Cameroon’s high-flying style of play is often punctuated by Aboubakar’s brilliance on the pitch. If he’s scoring goals, Cameroon may surprise in this tournament.
At only 23, Draxler was named the German captain for this tournament. He’s been a vital cog in the PSG machine since transferring earlier this season from Wolfsburg. While he’s not a consistent starter for the national team, he certainly appears to be on that path. Clever and creative with the ball at his feet, he’s a burgeoning global star.
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Are Chile and Germany The Favorites?
At first glance, Chile and Germany would be the prohibitive favorites here. But are they?
Chile has the experience and pedigree to make a deep run. It’s won the last two major tournaments it’s played in (2015 Copa America, 2016 Copa America Centenario). Germany is fresh off of a World Cup trophy in 2014, yet it will not have a vast majority of that core in this tournament.
Portugal and Mexico are big threats to make the final. Additionally, Russia and Cameroon are darkhorse candidates to make the semifinals.
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Star-power…Or Lack Thereof
This tournament is fascinating when looking at the field. Very few people expected Portugal and Cameroon to win their respective region tournaments — thus garnering entry into the event. A star-laden French team, and African power Ghana were projected as possible winner. Duly, Chile took away a spot from both Brazil and Argentina — which feature two of the world’s best players in Neymar and Lionel Messi. Germany also decided to not bring some of its world class personnel as well.
While we may have a shortage of big-name players (sans Ronaldo), it could provide an opportunity for some of the unknown youngsters to introduce themselves into the world’s spotlight.
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Can Portugal Continue With Momentum?
Portugal came out of nowhere to win the European Championships last year. Ronaldo is still one of the world’s best players, and the emergence of younger players like Silva, Andre Silva, Andre Gomes, and Raphael Guerreiro gives the program a very bright future.
This is a far more athletic and dynamic team than the one Portugal fielded in the 2014 World Cup. Though Ronaldo is 32 years of age, he’s still got plenty of juice. A Confederations Cup victory — or even finals appearance — would give Portugal a ton of momentum heading into next summer’s main event.
Image Source: Sky Sports
Is Russia Ready to Host?
There’s a lot of pressure on Russia in this scenario. As we saw with Brazil, the mechanics behind building/making renovations to stadiums is a costly expenditure both from a monetary and time standpoint. Being the host nation also brings stress on the national team to perform in an acceptable manner.
While only four cities will be used as game sites during this tournament (Kazan, Sochi, St. Petersburg, Moscow), there have been some major issues (especially involving the St. Petersburg stadium) when it comes to construction for these venues.
Image Source: NY TIMES
Predictions
As for Group A, Portugal will finish atop the group. Mexico will finish second — followed by Russia and New Zealand. Chile will win Group B rather comfortably. Though Cameroon has a chance to shock and make it through to the semifinals, Germany’s talent-level is simply too good to not finish as a top-two team.
Portugal will narrowly skate past Germany, and Chile will yet again dispose of Mexico in a major tournament. In the final we’ll see the more experienced Chileans win their third trophy in the last three years.
Image Source: Daily Express
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