Aleksandr Golovin and Fyodor Smolov, who picked up the Golden Boot in the Russian Premier League on the past two occasions, caused endless trouble by picking the pockets of the Saudis and catching them on the break to great effect. The replacement for Alan Dzagoev, though, had an enormous impact on the game when Spanish-raised Villarreal midfielder Denis Cheryshev used his cultured left foot to score two sublime goals.
Having seen the Russians decimate the Saudis, I still have my doubts about whether their defence will hold up to tougher scrutiny, and the Egyptian and Uruguayan attack will certainly offer that, despite their goal difference. I don’t see the Russians progressing, as much as I would love to see the hosts among the last 32.
For my chance to win millions through Betway’s spread on the World Cup 2018 pool – I am a retired footballer after all – I have chanced my arm with the following:
- Group A: Uruguay as the winners and the second spot nicked by Salah & Co – upset number one.
- Group B: Spain and Morocco … yes. Portugal will not progress, as Africa will stake its claim. Bear in mind that the Moroccans did not concede a goal during a tough qualifying group – that’s upset number two.
- Group C: France and Peru – the latter having taken fifth spot in the qualifying process after playing to a draw against Uruguay, Argentina and Colombia when it counted (at times lacking their talisman, Paolo Guerrero, whose successful appeal against a drugs ban later allowed him back onto the global stage) – that’s upset number three.
- Group D: Argentina and Nigeria offer us two of the tournament’s best attacking units in Ángel Di María, Gonzalo Higuaín, Lionel Messi and Sergio Agüero from the South American nation against Alex Iwobi, Kelechi Iheanacho, Ahmed Musa and Victor Moses, which will be more than enough to get them into the last 32.
I hope the remaining progressions will look something like this:
- Group E: Brazil and Switzerland
- Group F: Germany and Sweden
- Group G: Belgium and England
- Group H: Colombia and Senegal
I certainly hope that you are enjoying the festival of football as much as I am.
Do svidaniya, byd zdorov (Goodbye, until next time, keep well)
Russia rule as World Cup starts – but who else will rise to the occasion?
Former South African footballer Matthew Booth keeps track of the opening salvos in this year’s global soccer extravaganza
и снова здравствуйте (Or hello again, in the West)
I wrote this piece while waiting expectantly for the opening ceremony of the 2018 Fifa World Cup and, more importantly, to see what the hosts would offer us when they played against the virtually unknown Saudis. Apart from Robbie Williams giving us the middle finger, they didn’t disappoint.
In the lead-up to the global showpiece, the much-derided Russian squad had two things going for them: a partisan crowd and the urge to prove their critics wrong. (Rewind to the 2009 Fifa Confederations Cup when Bafana Bafana found themselves in a similar situation.)
The Sbornaya (the Russian national team) had leaked goals of late, especially against classy opponents such as Argentina, France, Brazil and Spain – 10 in all. Their 3-5-2 formation did not bode well for manager Stanislav Cherchesov. And losing his two best defenders, Viktor Vasin and Georgi Dzhikiya, to long-term injuries filled the camp with more trepidation and led to a change to four at the back over the past month. After all, you cannot expect 34-year-old ex-Chelsea player Yuri Zhirkov to play as an effective left wing-back.
Alan Dzagoev, the Southerner, who caught my eye in my last season playing in Russia in 2008, was their creative think-tank until the 23rd minute when he pulled his hamstring. The extent of the injury will determine whether the midfielder will continue to play in the tournament.
Aleksandr Golovin and Fyodor Smolov, who picked up the Golden Boot in the Russian Premier League on the past two occasions, caused endless trouble by picking the pockets of the Saudis and catching them on the break to great effect. The replacement for Alan Dzagoev, though, had an enormous impact on the game when Spanish-raised Villarreal midfielder Denis Cheryshev used his cultured left foot to score two sublime goals.
Having seen the Russians decimate the Saudis, I still have my doubts about whether their defence will hold up to tougher scrutiny, and the Egyptian and Uruguayan attack will certainly offer that, despite their goal difference. I don’t see the Russians progressing, as much as I would love to see the hosts among the last 32.
For my chance to win millions through Betway’s spread on the World Cup 2018 pool – I am a retired footballer after all – I have chanced my arm with the following:
I hope the remaining progressions will look something like this:
I certainly hope that you are enjoying the festival of football as much as I am.
Do svidaniya, byd zdorov (Goodbye, until next time, keep well)
Place your bets with Betway
Online sports betting company Betway will give its customers the chance to participate in its World Cup Russia promotions: the Cup Calendar Challenge.
Betway has reached new heights in the South African market with successful and rewarding promotions, and this one is no different.
Cup Calendar Challenge
Betway is offering South African fans a chance to win daily deals and a shot a share of a grand cash prize in the Cup Calendar Challenge promotion.
This promotion runs from June 14 to July 15 2018. Daily deals are offered on every single match all the way up to the finals, and customers can win prizes including smartphones, cash, extra bets and more.
Winners of daily prizes will be announced on the following day of any entered special or the following Monday if stipulated.
To qualify for the Cup Calendar prize draw, customers need to bet on every round of the 16 games, semifinals, finals and third-place playoff, and they could win a share of R20,000 in cash.
The winners of the grand prizes will be announced on Monday July 16 2018.
Visit Betway WC Promotions for more information on how to enter.
More from Matthew Booth and Betway
This article was paid for by Betway.