Teams : Poland,Senegal,Columbia,Japan
Poland
Senegal
Japan
Columbia looks more balanced and hence are the favorites in this group.Poland looks very promising on paper and are the highest ranked in this group.Senegal squad implies an attacking style and their midfield needs to hold good both in terms of game and injury.Japan's midfield is good but what matters would be how they respond, if their coach deploys a defensive game.
Poland
Poland has twice reached the semi-finals long back in 1974 and 82.Their star player is their captain and striker Lewandoski who was the leading goalscorer in the qualifiers.They didn’t have much difficulties in qualifying except for a shock defeat to Denmark.Their midfield has an experienced campaigner in Balszczykowski who is about to touch 100 caps for the country.Napoli's in-form striker Milik could be another player that matters.They had upset Germany in Euro 2016 but their progress relies on Lewandoski and a first round exit is not impossible.They are coached by former Polish player Adam Nawalka who had took them to their first ever Euro quarter-finals.This is Poland's Eighth World cup and they have reached the semifinals twice back in 1974 and 1982.
Senegal
Senegal’s very first world cup was in 2002.It took them another 16 years to make it to the World cup.Their biggest player is Liverpool’s Sadio Mane.Half of their forward options play in the french league. Rennes' Sakho and Amien's Konate would be interesting players to be watched out for.They announced the team with eight strikers,which may leave their midfield without bench strength unless they have ideas for that.They are a side capable of surprises and upsets.They are coached by former Senegalese player Aliou Cisse.
Columbia
The last time quarter-finalists qualified for their fifth World cup from the toughest CONMEBOL group.Their biggest star is James Rodriguez who got the Golden boot for the most goals in the last world cup.Their star strikers Falcao,Bacca are in their 30s with the exception of Muriel.Their experience helps them in their games and they had defeated france in a warm up match.Zapata is their mainstay in defence and they have Ospina on goal.Yerry Mina,who is barcelona’s back-up centre back would be an interesting prospect to watch out for.They are coached by Argentinian Jose Pekerman from 2012.The fun fact is that the team which he coaches runs into the host teams during the knockout stage.Here Russia being the hosts,such chances are less likely though not impossible.
Japan is coming for their sixth consecutive World cup and they have twice advanced to the Round of 16.Their last pre-quarter was in 2010 .They qualified topping their group in AFC qualifers but had lost to UAE and Saudi in their group matches.They also lost to Ukraine in a warm up match.Their star players are Okasaki,Shinji Kagawa and Keisuke Honda.Haraguchi who plays for dusseldorf could be an interesting watch too.Former Japanese midfielder Akira Nishino coaches them.
Fifa Ranks @ June 07,2018
Poland : 8
Colombia : 16
Senegal : 27
Japan : 61