Group H - Belgium, Algeria, Russia & South Korea

Discuss all to do with Group H in here

1. Belgium
2. South Korea
3. Russia
4. Algeria

Belgium and Russia for me.

Belgium
Russia
South Korea
Algeria

Another kind of flat group.

This is the worst group in the tournament. Belgium and Russia to take the top two, but I wouldn't be surprised if South Korea pip the Russians.

Januzaj has been named in Belgium's World Cup squad.

Looked at their squad, I would say England's is better. A lot of their players have come off really poor years like Fellaini and they only have two forwards, if Lukaku is injured they are in trouble.

Goalkeepers: Thibaut Courtois (Atletico Madrid, on loan from Chelsea), Simon Mignolet (Liverpool), Koen Casteels (Hoffenheim), Silvio Proto (Anderlecht).
Defenders: Toby Alderweireld (Atletico Madrid), Laurent Ciman (Standard Liege), Nicolas Lombaerts (Zenit St Petersburg), Vincent Kompany (Manchester City), Daniel Van Buyten (Bayern Munich), Anthony Vanden Borre (Anderlecht), Thomas Vermaelen (Arsenal), Jan Vertonghen (Tottenham).
Midfielders: Nacer Chadli, Mousa Dembele (both Tottenham), Steven Defour (Porto), Kevin De Bruyne (Wolfsburg), Marouane Fellaini, Adnan Januzaj (both Manchester United), Eden Hazard (Chelsea), Kevin Mirallas (Everton), Divock Origi (Lille), Axel Witsel (Zenit St Petersburg).
Forwards: Romelu Lukaku (Everton, on loan from Chelsea), Dries Mertens (Napoli).
Standby: Sebastien Pocognoli (Hannover), Radia Nainggolan (Roma), Thorgan Hazard (Zulte Waregem, on loan from Chelsea), Guillaume Gillet (Anderlecht), Michy Batshuayi, Jelle Van Damme (both Standard Liege)

Surprised that neither Thorgan Hazard or Batshuayi don't make the initial squad.

Belguim are an interesting side because they have three players of immense ability - all three who could potentially make a all star World XI - which is more than probably any other nation barring Spain. However, I feel that this could be a tournament too early for them and they could disappoint. Favour Russia to win the group with Belguim and Korea battling for second. Algeria seemed quite robust four years back but lack quality going foward.

Nainggolan should have been in there instead of Fellaini or even Defour, Batshuayi should have gone as another recognized striker after being the Pro League top scorer. If Lukaku get's injured..

Russia to ease to the next round.

Beating Korea on the 17th to get off to a flyer.

Fabio Capello the boss, he knows how to put a good team together  

And if Fellani plays, we get that win too!

Fantastic news for the Russian team. Pavel Pogrebnyak recalled by Fabio Capello after a two year absence from the national team. But what an asset to come back in to the squad. Such a brilliant striker who plays for that great team -Reading.

But sadly no place for the majestic former Arsenal player - Andrei Arshavin {who won so many trophies and was adored by all} or former Tottenham striker Roman Pavlyuchenko. OH how we will miss them!

Николай Толстых посетил Республику Мордовия, где заключил соглашение о сотрудничестве и взаимодействии и наградил игроков и тренеров саранского клуба.

Basically: Russia to win the WC.

интересная точка вы делаете там, Скай.   

Так вы говорите, Россия возможны темные лошади?

Linebreaker wrote:интересная точка вы делаете там, Скай.   

Так вы говорите, Россия возможны темные лошади?

Thanks Lb, yes definitely a dark horse. Got to stick by my team  

Russia's World Cup preparations got off to a winning start with a 1-0 win over Slovakia in a friendly on Monday.   

Lukaku hattrick vs luxembourg! the sweepstake's in the bag

TopoftheChops wrote:Lukaku hattrick vs luxembourg! the sweepstake's in the bag

My granny could have put six past Luxembourg  

See you on the 22nd.

Played very well in this freindly and dominated the game {17 shots, 7 on target} away to Norway. Rested the top guys for others to get some game time. Finished 1-1 due to a late equaliser.

But very impressive today with good quality in the subs.

Well the final warm-up match today and a 2-0 win against Morocco. Been a great six months for this team and bang in form for the WC.

Capello has turned them into potential winners.

Expecting good things.

Should be comfortable against these three.  

Capello confirmed his ban on Russian players using Twitter: "I don't like when they tweet. They can still use sms though".  

Fernando wrote:Goalkeepers: Thibaut Courtois (Atletico Madrid, on loan from Chelsea), Simon Mignolet (Liverpool), Koen Casteels (Hoffenheim), Silvio Proto (Anderlecht).
Defenders: Toby Alderweireld (Atletico Madrid), Laurent Ciman (Standard Liege), Nicolas Lombaerts (Zenit St Petersburg), Vincent Kompany (Manchester City), Daniel Van Buyten (Bayern Munich), Anthony Vanden Borre (Anderlecht), Thomas Vermaelen (Arsenal), Jan Vertonghen (Tottenham).
Midfielders: Nacer Chadli, Mousa Dembele (both Tottenham), Steven Defour (Porto), Kevin De Bruyne (Wolfsburg), Marouane Fellaini, Adnan Januzaj (both Manchester United), Eden Hazard (Chelsea), Kevin Mirallas (Everton), Divock Origi (Lille), Axel Witsel (Zenit St Petersburg).
Forwards: Romelu Lukaku (Everton, on loan from Chelsea), Dries Mertens (Napoli).
Standby: Sebastien Pocognoli (Hannover), Radia Nainggolan (Roma), Thorgan Hazard (Zulte Waregem, on loan from Chelsea), Guillaume Gillet (Anderlecht), Michy Batshuayi, Jelle Van Damme (both Standard Liege)

Such a shame Benteke is injured.
Would have loved to see him on the big stage.