World Cup: Germany goes up against rivals in Group F

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02:53

Defending Champions Germany are the hot favorites from Group F and will face tough challenges from three of the underdogs, Mexico, South Korea and Sweden, as two of the top teams from the group will qualify for the knock-out stage.

There may be a galaxy of individual stars in other teams, but when it comes to the team game, the Germans are only the second best to none. Their indomitable spirit and never-say-die attitude are legendary, and the team for the 2018 World Cup is no exception.

They edged past Lionel Messi’s Argentina by a solitary goal in the last World Cup final to lift the title in Brazil in 2014. The Germans always bank on the collective spirit and teamwork and will be one of the favorites again in Russia.

Timo Werner of Germany celebrates his team's first goal with teammates during the international friendly match between Germany and Saudi Arabia ahead of the FIFA World Cup Russia 2018 at BayArena on June 8, 2018, in Leverkusen, Germany. /VCG Photo

In a surprise move, Joachim Low left out one of the brightest young players, Leroy Sané of Manchester City, from his final World Cup squad. The attack will largely feature young guns and old warhorses, from Toni Kroos to World Cup veterans like Thomas Muller and Mesut Ozil.

Goalkeeper Manuel Neuer has been sidelined for eight months with injury but was added and expected to be part of the title defense. The back line will have a slew of new faces joining Mats Hummels and Jerome Boateng. Joshua Kimmich of Bayern Munich is the biggest new star at right back and looks like this generation’s heir apparent to Philip Lahm.

The other team in group, Mexico is confident of a good show in Russia. El Tri will try to advance past the Round of 16 for the first time since 1986, after six straight knockout round defeats.

However, apart from Germany, they will face a tough competition from the other teams of group, Sweden and South Korea, who are both capable of upsetting their applecart.

Historically, Germany has not failed to advance in any World Cup with a group stage.

Javier Hernandez of Mexico and teammates warm up before the international friendly match between Denmark and Mexico ahead. /VCG Photo

For the first time, a majority of Mexican players in the World Cup play professionally outside Mexico. Javier “Chicharito" Hernandez spearheads the attack, along with other veterans Andres Guardado, Giovani Dos Santos, and Carlos Vela. Rafa Marquez, at age 39, is the defense mainstay.

The team from Sweden sings their national anthem ahead of the international friendly match between Sweden and Peru at the Ullevi Stadium in Denmark. /VCG Photo

Sweden, a giant killer in qualifying, knocked out both the Netherlands and Italy to secure a berth for the World Cup Finals. Players’ last appearance in the World Cup was in 2006 where they lost in the Round of 16 to Germany.

South Korean national soccer team takes a stretch before training at the Stenberg Stadion on June, 8 2018. /VCG Photo

Meanwhile, South Korea, who has now advanced to their ninth straight World Cup Finals appearance, last missing in 1982, may play spoilsports to their rivals’ scheme of things. The greatest success of the Asian giants came on home soil when they stunned Spain and Italy on the way to the semifinals before losing to Germany. The only other time they advanced out of the group stage was 2010, and they will be decided underdogs in coming out of this group.

(With input from Reuters & SNTV)

Source(s): Reuters