Tonight’s FIFA World Cup matches will be highly entertaining, as football lovers could even witness some potential upsets in Group G and Group H. Title favourites Spain are set to take on Saudi Arabia in the first game of Match Day 12, followed by the matches between Belgium and Iran, Uruguay and Cabo Verde,in the late hours, and a game between New Zealand and Egypt tomorrow morning.
Spain vs Saudi Arabia
A wounded Spain will aim to get their World Cup challenge firmly back on track when they face Saudi Arabia in Atlanta on Sunday.
Spain coach Luis de la Fuente said his players had been stung by the criticism after they were held to a goalless draw in their opening match by Cape Verde, the African archipelago of just over half a million people who are making their World Cup debut.
The European champions arrived in North America as one of the favourites, but with Lamine Yamal only able to appear as a second-half substitute on his return from injury, La Roja were unable to find the target against Cape Verde.
De la Fuente, who confidently described his squad as the best in the world before the tournament, said they would show their true colors on Sunday.
“This generation of footballers is highly competitive and really fired up… It’s going to be a completely different story,” he said at his pre-match press conference on Saturday.
Saudi Arabia to had drew 11- in their opening game against Uruguay, making it necessary for the Green Falcons to win the game against Spain to keep their knockout dreams alive.
Belgium vs Iran
Belgium will again be without Jeremy Doku with respiratory problems as they face Iran.
Without the winger, Belgium sputtered to a draw in their opener against Egypt.
Iran coach Amir Ghalenoei said he has been told US travel restrictions on his team will finally be eased for their third group game, against Egypt in Seattle on June 26, but he claimed the treatment they have received so far had adversely affected their on-field performance.
Despite that, Iran remain in contention for knockouts from Group G after drawing 2-2 with New Zealand in their first game.
Uruguay vs Cabo Verde
Cape Verde, the team that frustrated Spain, will play “without fear” when they face Uruguay in Miami on Sunday, coach Pedro Leitao Brito, known as “Bubista”, said.
“We didn’t come just to take part. We want to play all the matches and to be able to show that we have the level to take on the best teams in the world,” he added
“Our aim is to play all the games with courage, in an organised way but also without fear.”
Vozinha, the 40-year-old Cape Verde goalkeeper who held Spain at bay with a remarkable performance, will be watched by his mother on Sunday after she arrived in Miami on a US visa.
Ana Candida Evora travelled from Cape Verde’s capital Praia after her son tearfully told reporters she had not been granted a visa in time for the first game, but the US State Department has now provided her with the necessary document.
Meanwhile Latin American giants Uruguay would be looking to register their first full three points after their surprising draw against Saudi Arabia. The team studded with superstar footballers playing in Europe will not have anything lesser than a victory in their minds as they step foot on the pitch at the Miami Stadium.
Egypt vs New Zealand
In the other game in the group, Egypt will play New Zealand in Vancouver. Both Egypt and New Zealand will be looking to get their first win in the tournament, as both teams met with draws against Belgium and Egypt respectively.
Egypt’s World cup dreams are on the back of ‘Egyptian King’ Mohammed Salah, who has already started with an assist in their first game. Egypt also has talents like Omar Marmoush, who is capable of turning a match in the team’s favour by himself.
Meanwhile New Zealand would hope that their talisman striker Chris Wood would be able to make an impact with his ball holding skills and pure poaching prowess to get them a positive result.
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: deccanchronicle.com
