World Cup

THERE are four things you can count on in life…death, taxes, Guillermo Ochoa putting on Gold Glove performances at the World Cup, and Mexico exiting in the Round of 16.Mexico is one of the 10 most populous countries in the world.

Of the nine countries ahead of them, only Nigeria and Brazil are football-first nations.
Given their obsessive following of the sport and the fact that all their top athletic talents take the football route, Mexico’s limited success at the World Cup is a bit baffling.
Could this be the time they finally break the Round of 16 curse?
Predicted starting XI
Mexico is one of CONCACAF’s two perennial powers, the other being the USA.
Like many traditional powers, they have a very specific style of play and tactical system.
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When Mexico takes to the pitch in Qatar, they will set out in a 4-3-3. The objectives are dominance in possession, dictating temp, and aggressively counterpressing.
Regardless of the opponent, Mexico wants to play on the front foot. They’ll bring energy, intensity, and aggression to Qatar.
Looking at the predicted starting XI, it’s Ochoa time.
It seems like every four years he puts on a Golden Glove-worthy performance at the World Cup. At the age of 37, this will likely be his last hurrah.
How Mexico could line up at the World Cup
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The veteran, Moreno, will anchor the backline. He’s surrounded by three very talented players in Montes, Arteaga, and Sánchez.
The two outside-backs will take very aggressive positions when Mexico is in possession. Look for them to be highly involved.
In midfield, the young Ajax stand-out, Álvarez, is undoubtedly the most talented player in the middle of the pitch, if not the entire squad.
Up top is full of question marks. Tecatito Corona suffered an injury and will miss the World Cup, leaving Mexico without their preferred right forward.
To make matters worse, Jiménez is struggling to regain his fitness. Though he should make the roster, Mexico can hardly count on him to be productive while out of form.
That puts a lot of pressure on Lozano. Antuna looks like the choice on the opposite flank, but it’s the star power of Chucky that Mexico will lean on. Should Jimenez miss the tournament, the burden only increases.
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Attacking phase
Jiménez has been Tata Martino’s go-to striker, but the Wolves player is coming back from an injury and was struggling for minutes even before the fitness concerns.
To score at the World Cup, Mexico will have to be exceptional in open play. In their 4-3-3 system, that starts with a strong build-out.
Mexico’s game model is a very standard 4-3-3. Two centre-backs split into the half spaces, outside-backs will push high and the midfield triangle will remain tightly connected with a single pivot.
That pivot player will oscillate between a higher position in midfield and dropping in between the centre backs.
Mexico’s midfield will drop into the centre back position and move the ball forward
Mexico’s midfield does rotate very effectively. If Álvarez, who will play the six, steps into the midfield, the player in the box-to-box role, typically Guardado or Herrera, will drop deeper to maintain the triangular structure.
If Mexico builds out, they’ll look to play through the lines and progress the ball near midfield.
As the team chooses to attack left, centre, or right, the forwards will adjust their positioning to coordinate their width with the sequence of play.
If the ball is in the wings, expect the near-sided winger to check towards the ball, the striker to pinch into that near half-space, and the far-sided forward to look for opportunities to get in behind.
The far side winger will always look to get behind the defence
If play is built centrally, look for the two wingers to maintain their width, at least initially.
They will look to stretch the backline in an attempt to get him behind.
If the opposition’s backline remains narrow, Mexico will look to play into the wingers, either looking for them to engage in 1v1 duels or drive inside to create the overlap for the oncoming outside-backs.
Once Mexico gets into the final third of the pitch they will look to push numbers into the box. They routinely get at least three players into the box, overloading centrally to increase their chance of latching onto a service.
In this example against Colombia, a clever dummy of a through ball got Mexico behind the backline, leading to their second goal of the game.
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Mexico like to overload centrally to get behind the backline
In terms of Mexico’s attacking tactics, they should show well at the World Cup in the way they build out of the back and play through the lines.
It’s when they get to the final third, or really the box, that issues emerge. Without Chicharito’s trademark poaching in the 18, Mexico may struggle to find the back of the net in Qatar.
Defensive phase
In the qualifying rounds, Mexico conceded just eight goals in 14 games, tying Costa Rica for the fewest goals against in the continent.
Expect Mexico to use the high press against Saudi Arabia and Poland.
However, against Argentina, we could very well see them drop into a 4-4-2 mid-block with an ageing midfield that can’t play a box-to-box game.
Those compact lines will create easier backtracking opportunities for Mexico.
Against Argentina, Mexico may drop into a 4-4-2 mid-block formation
The mid-block takes care of one vulnerability, namely, an ageing squad with the inability to play an end-to-end game.
It should also help Mexico’s box defending. With the midfield sitting a little bit deeper, they should offer better support for the backline and better track runners into the box.
They did have an issue tracking runners in the Colombia match, leading to a well-taken second goal. This comes despite sitting a little deeper in the game.
As Columbia made their way into the box, they were able to find lanes to send negative passes, as well as gaps in the Mexican lines that allowed the South Americans to get good looks at goal.
Colombia were able to break Mexico’s mid-block and score
Improved organisation, placing intense pressure on the opposition’s first attacker, and timing of pressing triggers will be massive for Mexico.
They have had issues in all three areas leading up to the tournament, leading to concern among the fan base.
Take this example against the home of MLS, the USA. All 10 Mexican outfield players are in that shaded area. The camera angle distorts the size a little bit, but it’s approximately a 25m square.
The press is very aggressive, which is fine provided Mexico wins the ball. They simply can’t afford to let the USA play out of their press.
An aggressive press could leave Mexico exposed
However, that’s exactly what happens. The Americans can play into the forwards and clip the ball behind the backline. That puts them into the box and leads to a beautiful delivery across the goal mouth.
Given Mexico’s issues in front of goal, they simply can’t afford to slip up defensively.
Transitions
When Mexico looks to counterattack, they will look to get behind the opposition’s outside-backs. Notice the centre-forward occupying both Colombian centrebacks.
That’s a perfect scenario for Mexico. If Lozano and the other wide forwards can consistently get behind the opposition’s outside-backs, they will create 3v2s and 3v3s.
When Mexico counter they will look to get behind the opposition’s outside backs
In those attacking transitions, the front three and No10 will bear the brunt of the attacking burden. Part of this is down to the system, but another part is the personnel in midfield.
At the risk of beating a dead horse, Mexico’s midfield simply won’t have the legs to consistently get in support of the front three.
Take this example against Canada. Mexico recovered the ball in their defensive third, then immediately played into the forward line.
Initially, this was a 4v3 scenario in Canada’s favour. Three seconds after the ball is initially played in, look at the evolving context.
While it’s still 4v3 to Canada behind the ball, they have another four players quickly recovering. In the end, the Canadians were able to snuff out the counterattack and comfortably restart their attack.
Mexico’s midfield struggles to support their forwards
At the World Cup, when Mexico’s opponents progress into the attacking half of the pitch, El Tri must get organised quickly and slow the tempo of the game to encourage the opponents to take more aggressive starting positions.
As the opposition becomes more expansive, Mexico will increase the likelihood of the front three’s success in attacking transitions.
Mexico could come unstuck when they send too many players forward in the final third
Mexico’s ineffectiveness in attacking transitions has been an issue the past 18 months, as has an expansive rest defence that has led to poor counterpressing and quality chances conceded during opposition counterattacks.
They ask a lot of their two centrebacks and defensive midfielder. Every so often, the squad asks too much of them. There’s simply too much ground to cover.
In a way, Mexico’s World Cup campaign will come down to how well they perform in the attacking and defensive transitions.
Attackers
When you look at the list of attackers, Raul Jimenez and Hirving Lozano leap out at you – even if Jimenez is in a difficult period in his career.
Also watch out for Lainez, once a hot prospect who is slowly rebuilding his reputation at Braga in Portugal. 
Chivas Guadalajara’s Vega is enjoying a strong season and will likely get on the pitch and there is also the exciting young Feyenoord option in Gimenez.
Midfielders
We might have seemed a bit harsh on the Mexican midfield so far – ageing when then have a 24-year-old pivot in Alvarez alongside a 25-year-old Rodriguez?
Well, it’s the third spoke in the midfield wheel which slows it down – be that 36-year-old veterano Guardado or 32-year-old Herrera.
Mexico’s game needs energy and if one of the box-to-box midfielders can’t get from one box to the other it causes problems.
Yet, they are both highly-respected in the group making it hard for Tata to pull the trigger.
Defenders
Mexico are strong at the back – not many are household names with many being based in LigaMX with a couple who have recently made the move to Europe in Arteaga and Sanchez.
Arteaga is doing well at Genk which could be a good platform for him and Sanchez is getting game time at Ajax.
Moreno, back in Mexico after a strong European career in La Liga and Serie A will lead the defence alongside Montes.
Best performer
A couple of seasons ago, we’d have been talking about Jimenez being the main man and pointing out Lozano as the hot prospect to watch out for. But now, with the Wolves striker out of fitness and form, it’s Chucky time.
His season with high-flying Napoli has been sporadic – only nine Serie A appearances at the time of writing with four starts and a handful of Champions League matches – but when we’ve seen him he’s been very very good.
Right now, he’s Mexico’s biggest threat – and he is also their most consistent performer. Their whole game will go through him because it has to if they want to progress.
Tournament prediction
The last time Mexico got past the Round of 16 was in their backyard, 1986. It’s seven exits in a row at that stage – and with Argentina clear favourites for the group, Mexico will be backing themselves to finish second and progress.
As ever, the first match is crucial – it’s really Mexico vs Poland for second in the group and it’s the first game up for both.
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If they can finish second, providing the French have woken up and remembered they are champions, Mexico will face them in the first knockout stage.
Sure, knockout stages are chaotic and anything can happen – but even so, an 8th consecutive Round of 16 exit seems most likely for Mexico.
For even more detailed analysis of all 32 teams in the FIFA World Cup 2022, download your copy of the November Total Football Analysis magazine here More

SAUDI Arabia are up against Argentina, Mexico and Poland in Group C.Argentina is naturally expected to finish 1st, and the Mexicans and the Poles should fight for the 2nd place, but depending on their luck, the Arabians will try to surprise the world and make it to the Round of 16.

Predicted starting XI 
Saudi Arabia have been alternating between the 4-3-3, 4-4-2 and 4-2-3-1 formations lately and they can play well according to these three types of formations.
However, Renard is more likely going to opt for the 4-2-3-1 one and might change to the 4-3-3 during the game if needed.
He will start the tournament with Al Owais as a goalkeeper as he’s more experienced. At the same time, Fawaz Al-Qarni, Mohammed Al Rubaie and probably Nawaf Al-Aqidi will be the backup goalkeepers.
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The defensive line will be composed of Sultan Al-Ghanam as a right-back, Abdullah Madu and Abdulelah Al-Amri as centre-backs and Yasser Al-Shahrani as a left-back.
This defence is composed of experienced players who played with each other a lot and therefore it is expected that the defensive line will be solid during this tournament, as team chemistry is always a key asset during international tournaments like the World Cup.
In midfield, the team will most likely rely on Salman Al-Faraj and Mohamed Kanno as central midfielders while both Fahad Al-Muwallad and Salem Al-Dawsari can play on the wings, knowing that the two players can be very dangerous in these positions.
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The squad looks balanced on paper even though it lacks players with physical strength. 
Therefore, the team will have to prove on the field that they are capable of handling attacks like Argentina’s, Poland’s and Mexico’s, and that will certainly not be an easy task. Facing Messi, Lewandowski, and Napoli’s Hirving Lozano surely isn’t going to be an easy task!
To score goals, they will need to focus on counterattacks, knowing that they have got some quick and efficient attacking players like Salem Al-Dawsari and Hattan Bahebri. 
Saudi Arabia has some young talent upfront, but still beating teams like their opponents in Group C won’t be easy and even collecting one single point will be a major challenge.
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Attacking phase
Saudi Arabia’s attacking statistics are not really encouraging. The team doesn’t win a lot of offensive duels, the players do not shoot on target a lot per match and more importantly, their goalscoring statistics are quite low.
Shooting from distance is one of the tools Saudi Arabia are good at and they should focus on using this in their favour.
Long range shooting is one of Saudi Arabia’s greatest weapons
At the same time, the attacking players will have to be focused 100% on scoring and there will be no excuse for missing chances like the one shown below. 
Saudi Arabia can struggle to take their chances
Crossing from the wings can be effective and cutting inside from players like Salem Al-Dawsari can be extremely useful and the coaching staff can build movements and combinations on that. 
Relying on shooting from distance only would make the team’s moves predictable and defending against such actions will become easier for opponents.
For example, the player intending to shoot in this action below could have passed to his teammate who was asking for the ball as both of them could have opted for a passing combination to exclude the opposing defenders. 
Instead, he automatically went for the shot without even looking at what was surrounding him and who was asking for the ball.
Sometimes selfishness can creep in to Saudi Arabia’s game with players preferring to shoot from long range
Defensive phase
Saudi Arabia’s defensive phase will be crucial during the tournament as the level of endurance and resistance of this defence will play a big part in determining Saudi Arabia’s overall result. 
As opposed to their attacking statistics, Saudi Arabia’s defensive numbers are quite more solid as they win a fairly good number of defensive duels and aerial duels. 
In this action, Saudi Arabia were lucky because there was an offside position of the striker, but on other occasions, they often defend fairly well.
Defensive and aerial duels are often won by the Saudis
In addition, Saudi Arabia will have to avoid keeping the ball too much in dangerous areas.
Saudi Arabia doesn’t seem to deal well with such pressing and they showed on some occasions that they might make some individual mistakes and concede the ball to opponents.
In this game against Ecuador, Saudi Arabia’s midfielder tries to keep the ball but puts himself in trouble.
Holding onto the ball can lead to Saudi Arabia surrendering possession in dangerous areas
Transitions
In terms of transitions, Saudi Arabia usually start their actions with Al-Faraj, who is their key midfield player. 
In the following picture, he passes towards the right and on other occasions, he provides passes to Al-Dawsari who is one of the best in Saudi Arabia in terms of dribbling skills. 
Therefore, the team often rely on him for progressions from the left wing, cutting inside or early crosses towards the striker.
Key midfielder Al-Faraj usually starts their transitions
Whenever possible, Saudi Arabia rely on quick passing combinations to exclude the opposing players and start counter-attacks. And their tactics are often effective, concerning transitions.
Quick passing combinations push Saudi Arabia forward
Attackers
Saudi Arabia has got plenty of powerful attacking options to choose from and Renard will have to choose the best players for each match of the group stage. 
As wingers, Fahad Al-Muwallad and Salem Al-Dawsari represent great additions to the team, as they are responsible for both wings and especially for supporting the striker and creating opportunities for themselves and for the striker.
Midfielders
The midfield will have to resist a lot during this competition and make sure to intercept passes regularly and help the defensive line continuously since it will be impossible for four players to defend against attacks with dangerous players like Argentina’s.
Therefore, Mohamed Kanno, Salem Al-Dawsari, Hattan Bahebri and perhaps Abdullah Otayf should give a lot of support to the defence in the non-possession phase to concede the minimum number of opportunities or goals. 
Defenders
The defensive line will be the most crucial part of this team as the defensive performance of Saudi Arabia will determine if they will have a chance of progressing or not. 
The back four will have to remain organised throughout the three games and avoid making marking mistakes whether in set pieces or in open play to avoid conceding unnecessary goals.
Key player
Salem Al-Dawsari is Saudi Arabia’s key player in this tournament as he is one of the most skilful Saudi Arabian players at the moment if not the best. 
He is mainly a left winger who plays at Al Hilal and this player can definitely solve Saudi Arabia’s attacking issues given his great individual skills.
He is a very agile player with excellent technique whether in terms of passing, shooting or dribbling. 
Renard will have to exploit Al-Dawsari’s abilities in the best possible way to help the team score goals and make positive results. 
Indeed, defensively speaking, Al-Dawsari is not a player who can be helpful enough, but he makes up for that by being an excellent passer and a very good finisher.
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Tournament prediction
Saudi Arabia will have to fight hard for any point they may collect.
But the World Cup is a special moment and every team has a chance of going forward and reaching the Round of 16. 
Not so long ago in 2014, Costa Rica finished first in a group with England, Italy and Uruguay, so anything can happen!
For even more detailed analysis of all 32 teams in the FIFA World Cup 2022, download your copy of the November Total Football Analysis magazine here More

POLAND’S national team were escorted by F-16 fighter jets as they headed to Qatar for the World Cup.The global showcase begins on Sunday as the host nation takes on Ecuador in the opening game.
The Poland football team were escorted on their way to the Qatar World Cup by F1 fighter jetsCredit: Twitter / @LaczyNasPilka
No risks were taken after the deadly missile strike on the Ukraine border on TuesdayCredit: Twitter / @LaczyNasPilka
Poland begin their tournament against Mexico next week
On Thursday, two army aircraft flanked superstar Robert Lewandowski and his team-mates, who are looking to guide Poland to the knockout stages for the first time since 1986.
The reason for the top-class escort was the death of two Polish citizens on a farm four miles from the Ukrainian border on Tuesday.
An emergency Nato meeting followed the passing of the two farmers.
But Poland’s president Andrzej Duda said on Wednesday that a Ukrainian air defence missile had most likely caused the “unfortunate accident”.
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NATO’s secretary general also hinted that there was no indication of a deliberate attack from Russia.
But that didn’t stop the impressive defensive escort to the Polish border on route to the Middle East.
The Twitter account for the national team posted: “We were escorted to the southern border of Poland by F16 planes!
“Thank you and greetings to the pilots!”
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The Poles finished comfortably behind England in qualifying but then received a bye in their play-off semi-final, ironically due to Russia being disqualified following the invasion of Ukraine.
That left them with just a home tie against Sweden to make it to the World Cup, and they duly triumphed 2-0 over Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Co.
They take on Mexico on Tuesday in their first Group C clash.
Saudi Arabia lie in wait after that on Saturday, November 26.
Then things get really tricky as Czeslaw Michniewicz’s team takes on tournament favourites Argentina. More

PHIL FODEN has that World Cup-winning vibe again — having already ruled the planet at youth level.The Manchester City star said he “knew” England would win the Under-17 World Cup five years ago.
Phil Foden is hoping to conquer the world again with EnglandCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
He was part of the U17s squad that won the World Cup five years agoCredit: Getty
And now he has  the same feeling as the seniors aim to end their 56-year wait for glory.
Foden, who scored twice in the 5-2 final hammering of Spain in India, said: “I do strongly remember the Under-17s just being so confident. Not being big-headed but we just knew we were going to win because of how good we were and the talent we had.
“Even when we were behind in the final, we carried on playing the same way and believed we were going to win it.
“It was very special. I definitely have the same feeling now.
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“Obviously, from the Euros last year, making it to the final gives the team a big lift.  
“Harry Kane has already touched on it. He sees us as one of the favourites. We’ve just got to be confident and believe in that.”
Foden, 22, is the only member of that U-17s starting XI to be included in Gareth Southgate’s Qatar squad — although Chelsea’s Conor Gallagher came on as sub.
And the City forward, preparing for Monday’s opener against Iran, reckons that ‘life-changing’ victory gave his career a major boost.
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He said: “It was at youth level but there were still a lot of people watching — and it changed some of our lives forever.
“It’s all about gaining experience for when it comes into big games like this. You know how to handle situations.”
Asked whether his current Lions team-mates had quizzed him about that U-17s triumph, Foden replied: “I don’t think they realise.
“I’m going to have to tell them that I’ve already won the World Cup, aren’t I?” More