World Cup 2022 Group H
GROUP H
| Team | GP | W | D | L | GF | GA | Pts |
| Portugal | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 4 | 6 |
| South Korea | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Uruguay | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| Ghana | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 7 | 3 |
Joji Imamiya
[Team Jersey Images © Soccerphile]
Portugal
Ending the qualification group on a sour note by losing to Serbia on the final matchday, there was no guarantee that Portugal would advance in the playoffs. Fortunately for A Seleção, North Macedonia did most of the heavy lifting by defeating Italy and they were dispatched easily five days later in Porto.
With a population of just ten million people, it is remarkable to see the endless supply of talent this small, but football-mad country turns out, especially in the form of Bernardo Silva, Rúben Dias, and Rafael Leão. Leão is the current holder of Serie A Footballer of the Year award, a title only the greats have ever won.
Once rumoured to be on the verge of being sold by Pep Guardiola, Bernardo Silva has become an integral piece of a well-oiled Manchester City machine whilst there is also a north-west representation in the form of Bruno Fernandes and Diogo Jota. Curiously, however, Rafael Leão will probably have to suffer the ignominy of bench warming.
Unlike at Manchester United, Cristiano Ronaldo can have his own way at Portugal and not have Erik ten Hag rattling in his ears for ill-discipline. Ronaldo has earned the right to call it quits whenever he wants but this is surely his last World Cup. He will lead the line.
The midfield pivot roles are filled by Ruben Neves and Betis' William Carvalho. Slow and lethargic, Carvalho has maintained his place thanks to his incisive passing and intelligent interventions.
Left-back will see fierce competition between Raphaël Guerreiro and Nuno Mendes but Mendes is the favorite to start. A regular for Borussia Dortmund for four years, Guerreiro is desperately unlucky to see the sudden prominence of Mendes at Sporting and now PSG.
Pepe will accompany Rúben Dias in a magnificent display of longevity. Though indispensable at club level, a knee injury makes him a doubt making the cut. The lack of experimentation during qualifying could come back to haunt Fernando Santos, as Danilo of PSG will have to cover. Other candidates include David Carmo or the veteran Jose Fonte, which is not very likely.
Switzerland-born Diogo Costa has won the hearts of both Santos and the fans meaning Portugal will have very good backup in Rui Patrício and Jose Sa.
After first making a name with the Greek national team, Santos' defensive approach bore fruit at Euro 2016 but considering Portugal's capabilities going forward these days, most fans are hesitant about whether Santos is the right man in the long run. Another second-round exit would not suffice.
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Portugal Kit 1 |
Portugal Kit 2 |
Portugal v Ghana 24 November; Doha (Stadium 974)
Portugal v Uruguay 28 November; Lusail
Korea Republic v Portugal 2 December; Al Rayyan
Coach
Coach: Fernando Santos
Record
Best World Cup: 3rd in 1966
Formation
4-2-3-1
Men to watch
Who else but Cristiano Ronaldo? CR7 is untouchable in Portugal and will have a big say in how far his nation can go.
A quarter-final finish will be their target. A second-round exit will leave many fans unhappy.
How they qualified
Portugal had to do it the hard way by going through the playoffs but matches versus Turkey and North Macedonia were rather straightforward.
On the sidelines
Fernando Santos has taken charge of 103 matches as Portugal's manager, more than anyone in history. The second on the list is Luiz Felipe Scolari, one of only two foreign managers to ever be at the helm.
Squad
Goalkeepers: Diogo Costa (Porto), Rui Patricio (AS Roma), Jose Sa (Wolverhampton Wanderers)
Defenders: Joao Cancelo (Manchester City), Diogo Dalot (Manchester United), Ruben Dias (Manchester City), Raphael Guerreiro (Borussia Dortmund), Nuno Mendes (Paris St-Germain), Pepe (Porto), Danilo Pereira (Paris St-Germain), Antonio Silva (Benfica)
Midfielders: William Carvalho (Real Betis), Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United), Joao Mario (Benfica), Ruben Neves (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Matheus Nunes (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Otavio (Porto), Joao Palhinha (Fulham), Bernardo Silva (Manchester City), Vitinha (Paris St-Germain)
Strikers: Joao Felix (Atletico Madrid), Ricardo Horta (SC Braga), Rafael Leao (AC Milan), Goncalo Ramos (Benfica), Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United), Andre Silva (RB Leipzig)
Ghana
Ranked 61st and lowest in the tournament, Ghana will consider themselves lucky just to get here.
In a low-quality qualification Group G, Ghana scored more than one goal once, in a match against Zimbabwe. Still, their defending has been commendable, especially for not wilting under pressure from the Nigerians in the playoffs.
The goalscorer that day was Thomas Partey, who is by far and away the best player in the squad. Along with Granit Xhaka, Partey has enjoyed a resurgence at Arsenal in the Premier League that was unforeseen twelve months ago.
The men holding that tight rear guard together are Daniel Amartey, Strasbourg's Alexander Djiku, and of course Joe "Jojo" Wollacott in goal. Playing in front of a crowd of 242 in the National League South just three years ago, the man from Bristol has had quite the meteoric rise that no doubt will be well-documented among the English-speaking press if he makes an impact (Ghana now have a goalkeeper dilemma as Wollacott injured his finger in a warm-up for whilst playing for Charlton). As for Amertey, however, his place is under serious threat due to the recent recall of Southampton's Mohammed Salisu.
Going forward, André Ayew is now the figurehead of the side similar to Asamoah Gyan of the past golden generation. Star-man in both spells for Swansea, the 32-year-old now features for Qatari-based Al-Sadd. Though unlikely to miss out in the starting line-up, sitting out of the playoffs was an ominous sign.
Iñaki Williams and Mohammed Kudus are the new stars of the current crop. Williams is almost known solely for his indestructible body these days, while Kudus is the gem many scouts will look out for. Along with his graceful turn and finish versus Liverpool in the Champions League, Kudus was a big factor in Ghana's somewhat unlikely qualification.
With many naturalized players such as Tariq Lamptey, Williams, and Salisu coming through the door, we will see great vigor from this Ghana side but also it may well need more time to gel, a time that coach Otto Addo will certainly not get.
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Ghana Kit 1
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Ghana Kit 2
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Portugal v Ghana 24 November; Doha (Stadium 974)
Korea Republic v Ghana 28 November; Education City Stadium, Al Rayyan
Ghana v Uruguay 2 December; Al Wakrah, (Al Janoub)
Coach
Otto Addo
Record
Best World Cup: Quarter-finals in 2010
Formation
4-2-3-1
Men to watch
By far and away the best player is Thomas Partey. Implemented defensive discipline by Diego Simeone at Atletico Madrid and then tactical nous by Mikel Arteta at his current club, Arsenal, Partey is an intriguing mixture of brawn and brains.
On paper, Ghana will finish bottom as they are the lowest-ranked side in Qatar 2022.
How they qualified
Ghana somehow came out of the playoffs unscathed against Nigeria.
On the sidelines
This is Otto Addo's first job as head coach but he has refused to give up his role as "talent coach" at Borussia Dortmund, meaning he is based in Germany. Chris Hughton is part of the coaching staff.
Squad
Goalkeepers: Lawrence Ati-Zigi (St Gallen), Danlad Ibrahim (Asante Kotoko), Abdul Manaf Nurudeen (Eupen)
Defenders: Joseph Aidoo (Celta Vigo), Daniel Amartey (Leicester City), Alexander Djiku (Racing Strasbourg), Tariq Lamptey (Brighton & Hove Albion), Gideon Mensah (Auxerre), Denis Odoi (Club Bruges), Baba Rahman (Reading), Mohammed Salisu (Southampton), Alidu Seidu (Clermont)
Midfielders: Mohammed Kudus (Ajax), Daniel-Kofi Kyereh (Freiburg), Elisha Owusu (Gent), Thomas Partey (Arsenal), Salis Abdul Samed (Lens)
Strikers: Daniel Afriyie (Hearts of Oak), Andre Ayew (Al Sadd), Jordan Ayew (Crystal Palace), Osman Bukari (Red Star Belgrade), Issahaku Abdul Fatawu (Sporting Lisbon), Antoine Semenyo (Bristol City), Kamal Sowah (Club Bruges), Kamaldeen Sulemana (Rennes), Inaki Williams (Athletic Bilbao)
Uruguay
Uruguay have consistently punched above their weight as the third-best team from Conmebol and they'll feel it is no different this time.
La Celeste still have many veterans in contention for making the squad with names such as Luis Suárez, Edinson Cavani, and Martín Cáceres, but the critical roles of the team will be filled by new names unrecognizable from the last edition.
Federico Valverde has been in sensational form this season and has become indispensable in Real Madrid's midfield. Not only highly rated for his powerful shooting, where he took two defenders out in their recent friendly against IR Iran, his dynamism and clever running led to the assist for Vinicius Jr.'s only goal in the 2022 Champions League final.
Wasted under Max Allegri's defensive system, Rodrigo Bentancur has resuscitated his career at Tottenham with his elegant play gelling well with the combative Danish midfielder Pierre-Emile Højbjerg.
Barcelona's Ronald Araujo's absence will be a tremendous blow which means captain Diego Godín and José Giménez will almost certainly be tasked to mark Son Heung-min and Cristiano Ronaldo out of games. In the full-back places, this could be a breakthrough opportunity for ex-Manchester United right-back Guillermo Varela and the left-back spot should be Mathías Olivera's. However, underused by Jose Mourinho at AS Roma, Matías Viña is also hoping to get some game time.
Liverpool's marquee signing Darwin Núñez has been let down by his somewhat simpleminded center-forward play but at his best, his bullish style that even makes Edinson Cavani blush is a weapon that could frighten many Group H defenses. It is difficult to predict how much of an impact both Núñez and Luis Suárez can have at this tournament but aided by Flamengo's Giorgian de Arrascaeta's creativity, Uruguay could deliver a very potent attacking force.
As the only manager to win two Concacaf Champions Leagues with two different teams, experienced Diego Alonso has many head-scratching decisions to make. Which of Cavani, Suarez, and Nunez will play? What will the defense look like? The key questions are currently up in the air.
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Uruguay Kit 1
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Uruguay Kit 2
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Uruguay v Korea Republic 24 November; Al Rayyan
Portugal v Uruguay 28 November; Lusail
Ghana v Uruguay 2 December; Al Wakrah
Coach
Diego Alonso
Record
Best World Cup: Winners in 1930 and 1950
Formation
4-3-3
Men to watch
It will be intriguing to see who plays up top but Federico Valverde's place in midfield is assured. He is quite possibly the best midfielder in the world right now.
Uruguay have a tendency of reaching the knock-outs and then being eliminated after facing European opposition. If they finish second, they are odds on to face Brazil so getting that top spot will be crucial.
How they qualified
Finished third in CONMEBOL qualifying behind Brazil and Argentina.
On the sidelines
Coach Diego Alonso was the first-ever manager to take charge of Inter Miami back in December 2019.
Squad
Goalkeepers: Fernando Muslera (Galatasaray), Sergio Rochet (Nacional), Sebastian Sosa (Independiente)
Defenders: Jose Maria Gimenez (Atletico Madrid), Sebastian Coates (Sporting CP), Diego Godin (Velez Sarsfield), Martin Caceres (LA Galaxy), Ronald Araujo (Barcelona), Guillermo Varela (Flamengo), Jose Luis Rodriguez (Nacional), Mathias Olivera (Napoli), Matias Vina (Roma)
Midfielders: Lucas Torreira (Galatasaray), Manuel Ugarte (Sporting CP), Matias Vecino (Lazio), Rodrigo Bentancur (Tottenham Hotspur), Federico Valverde (Real Madrid), Facundo Pellistri (Manchester United), Nicolas De La Cruz (River Plate)
Strikers: Agustin Canobbio (Athletico Paranaense), Facundo Torres (Orlando City), Giorgian De Arrascaeta (Flamengo), Maxi Gomez (Trabzonspor), Luis Suarez (Nacional), Edinson Cavani (Valencia), Darwin Nunez (Liverpool)
Korea Republic
The 2022 qualification process was similar to that of 2014 and 2018 in that they finished behind IR Iran in second to qualify but much more comfortably this time around.
Unique for the Taegeuk Warriors, Paulo Bento has had the privilege of putting his ideas into practice for four years now and though the results may have been unremarkable at best, with a tame defeat to Qatar in the Asian Cup particularly painful, the tactical cohesion will be there for all to see.
The two star names are Son Heung-min, of course, but also the beefy center-back Kim Min-jae, who has seen a remarkable rise at Napoli this season after taking the nomadic journey through China and Turkey with Fenerbahce. Top of Serie A and their Champions League group, Kim has developed a fine partnership with either Juan Jesus or Amir Rrahmani and while Son has had his fair share of criticism this campaign, arguing against his abilities is futile.
Jo Hyeon-woo, who was excellent in World Cup 2018, will only be backup to Kim Seung-gyu, now at Saudi side Al-Shabab. Formerly of Vissel Kobe and Kashiwa Reysol in the J.League, Seung-gyu will be No.1 for the first time in his third World Cup.
Aside from Son, the two Hwangs are the most dangerous in attack. Wolves' Hwang Hee-chan has had an up-and-down career in the midlands but assures Premier League quality wing-play from both flanks. The lone striker position belongs to Hwang Ui-jo of Olympiacos. Though behind Cedric Bakambu in the pecking order at club level, his spells at Bordeaux and Gamba Osaka suggest we will see the best of him soon enough.
Along with Ghana, Korea Republic are slight underdogs in the group but burning for redemption after the failures of 2014 and 2018, they will be competitive in all games and there is serious star quality in certain areas never seen since Park Ji-sung's time at Manchester United.
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South Korea Kit 1
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South Korea Kit 2
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Uruguay v Korea Republic 24 November; Al Rayyan
Korea Republic v Ghana 28 November; Al Rayyan
Korea Republic v Portugal 2 December; Al Rayyan
Coach
Paulo Bento
Record
Best World Cup: 4th in 2002 on home soil.
Formation
4-1-4-1
Men to watch
Spurs' Son Heung-min is an obvious candidate but Napoli's Kim Min-jae deserves attention. The towering center-back has been ever present in Napoli's rise toward the top of the Serie A tree.
Portugal and Uruguay are the slight favorites in Group H. Progression to the second round will count as success.
How they qualified
Finished second to IR Iran in the third round of AFC qualifying.
On the sidelines
The Sun and The Daily Telegraph both reported back in 2008 that Paulo Bento was likely to be hired as Alex Ferguson's assistant manager at Manchester United after Carlos Queiroz's departure but Bento quickly quashed those rumours.
Squad
Goalkeepers: Kim Seung-gyu (Al Shabab), Jo Hyeon-woo (Ulsan Hyundai), Song Bum-keun (Jeonbuk Motors)
Defenders: Kim Min-jae (Napoli), Kim Jin-su (Jeonbuk Motors), Hong Chul (Daegu FC), Kim Moon-hwan (Jeonbuk Motors), Yoon Jong-gyu (FC Seoul), Kim Young-gwon (Ulsan Hyundai), Kim Tae-hwan (Ulsan Hyundai), Kwon Kyung-won (Gamba Osaka), Cho Yu-min (Daejon Citizen)
Midfielders: Jung Woo-young (Al Sadd), Na Sang-ho (FC Seoul), Paik Seung-ho (Jeonbuk Motors), Son Jun-ho (Shandong Taishan), Song Min-kyu (Jeonbuk Motors), Kwon Chang-hoon (Gimcheon Sangmu), Lee Jae-sung (Mainz), Hwang Hee-chan (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Hwang In-beom (Olympiacos), Jeong Woo-yeong (Freiburg), Lee Kang-in (Real Mallorca)
Strikers: Hwang Ui-jo (Olympiacos), Cho Gue-sung (Jeonbuk Motors), Son Heung-min (Tottenham Hotspur)