Can Ghana get back at Uruguay
Group H of the FIFA World Cup in Qatar features Portugal, Ghana, Uruguay and South Korea. Portugal fell in their rankings from what they were in March from 8th place to 9th place. Ghana is in 61st place whilst South Korea occupies 28th place going one place higher than what they were in March. Lastly Uruguay is in 14th place falling just one place down from their position in March. The opening matches of this tournament are Uruguay vs South Korea which is a replay of the 2010 group stage match between the two sides. Another match replay will be between Portugal and Ghana who met in the group stage in 2014. Arguably the match of the whole tournament will be Ghana vs Uruguay a rematch of the 2010 quarter finals.
How far can the Black Stars go
Ghana will be their fourth ever appearance in the World Cup. Ghana will be hoping to emulate their form from the 2010 World Cup so they can go as far as possible. Although they are in a difficult group with Uruguay and Portugal this is football and anything is possible. The Black Stars overcame South Africa, Zimbabwe and Ethiopia to make the World Cup qualifying round vs Nigeria. They managed to overcome Nigeria on away goals thanks to an amazing performance from Thomas Partey. Ghana were highly disappointing in the AFCON where they came last in a group with Morocco, Gabon and Comoros. They will be hoping to pick themselves up by making it to the knockout stages. Although Portugal and Uruguay are favorites Ghana will not go down without a fight.
Can South Korea’s fast playing get them far
South Korea will be competing in their 11th World Cup. The South Koreans had a very good run in the qualifying round winning 7, drawing 2 and losing 1 whilst scoring 13 and conceding 3. The furthest South Korea has made it is the semi-finals where they came in 4th place. Although it may be extremely unlikely that they will reach that far they will still cause plenty of problems for Portugal and Uruguay. South Korea is known for playing very quick with the ball and could definitely use that to their advantage in this prestigious tournament. Heung Min Son announced that he will be coming to the World Cup which is great news for the South Koreans. Not to forget the South Koreans beat Germany 2-0 to knock them the Mannschaft of the World Cup.
Uruguay hope to shock the big nations
Uruguay will never forget the embarrassment of missing out on the 2006 World Cup in Germany. La Celeste have made it to the knockout stage every World Cup including making the semifinals in 2010. The two time World Cup champions are one of the favorites to make it out of their group and go into the knockout stages. La Celeste will face Portugal again and this time Portugal will be hoping to get the better of them and top their group. Uruguay stunned Ronaldo & co to knock them out of the World Cup thanks to an Edison Cavani brace. Uruguay also face a rematch against Ghana who they cheated out of from making it to the semifinals. Suarez’s handball denied Ghana from being the first African nation to make the semifinals.
Ronaldo to have his last WC dance
Portugal will be making their 8th appearance in the World Cup group stages. This is going to be Cristiano Ronaldo’s last World Cup and he will hope to bow out in style. Portugal disappointed in the Euros where they were knocked out by Belgium 1-0. The 2016 Euro champions may not be favorites but are definitely a candidate to upset the big dogs on their day. Portugal who were knocked out by Uruguay in the Last 16 last World Cup will be hoping to go further in this tournament. Unfortunately for the Portuguese Diogo Jota will be missing out and Portugal will hope not to lose anymore star players. Portugal go into this tournament hoping to overcome disappointment from recent years where they faltered in the World Cup and the Euros.
