FIFA world cup team preview: Switzerland, Colombia, Uruguay & Japan

In our first segment on Friday we had previewed teams that have capabilities to upset some of the big names at the biggest stage. Next in line are the teams that enter the tournament as big names—Switzerland, Colombia and Uruguay—and Japan, an Asian team that has looked promising over the years and has experienced players up their sleeves.

Switzerland

The sixth ranked team enter the World Cup as one of the favourites to be in the knock-outs with a solid core in Xhaka, Rodriguez and Shaqiri. The younger lot, like Breel Embolo and Edmilson Fernandes, is as promising and that makes them a potential contender for a spot in top-four as well.

Their group clash against Brazil, one of the hot favourites, however, will be the talking point. If they defeat the Brazilians early in the tournament, the confidence of the team may lead them to wonders in Russia.

Led by ever dependable Stephan Lichtsteiner and with strong midfield with the likes of Valon Behrami and Granit Xhaka, with Xherdan Shaqiri, the Swiss team has a good depth.

With veteran Ricardo Rodriguez of AC Milan leading the defence, it will be tight affair for the opposition even if the game is happening in the Swiss half. Rodriguez poses a considerable threat both from set pieces and open play with his strong left foot.

But their Achilles’ heel will be their lack of incisiveness up front. The team lacks a prolific centre forward. So, the question truly is Where will the goals come from? Mario Gavranovic is the only striker scoring consistently and Seferovic falls short of the quality needed to provide a reliable cutting edge.

Switzerland squad:

Goalkeepers: Roman Buerki, Yvon Mvogo, Yann Sommer.

Defenders: Manuel Akanji, Johan Djourou, Nico Elvedi, Michael Lang, Stephan Lichtsteiner, Jacques-Francois Moubandje, Ricardo Rodriguez, Fabian Schaer

Midfielders: Valon Behrami, Blerim Dzemaili, Gelson Fernandes, Remo Freuler, Xherdan Shaqiri, Granit Xhaka, Steven Zuber, Denis Zakaria

Forwards: Josip Drmic, Breel Embolo, Mario Gavranovic, Haris Seferovic

Colombia

Colombia has always been a competitive outfit and with players experienced of performing at big stage, in the top European leagues, Colombia are looking to build on their run to the quarter-finals at the 2014 World Cup.

In fact, in the Copa America that followed in 2015, the Colombian side narrowly missed on creating a major shock after they had contained Lionel Messi-led Argentina in a goalless draw in the round of 16. They eventually lost the match 5-4 in the penalty shoot-out, but more because of lack of luck said pundits.

Led by James Rodriguez, one of the better attacking midfielders in Europe, the Colombian team will be itching to put the demons of the past at rest and emerge victorious in the knock-out games as well. Apart from Rodriguez, the Bayern Munich number 10 who is considered a master of free kicks, Radamel Falcao too has been in lethal form for Monaco in 2017-18. Considering that he missed out the last World Cup due to injury, Falcao will be itching to guide his team to the top four.

In addition, two new centre-backs Davinson Sanchez and Yerry Mina make up a solid backline with Santiago Arias and Frank Fabra but the team lacks depth in the centre of the field and are often outdone by the opposition the mid-field.

While this team is definitely built well to make a run, they have come up short against the best teams in the top competitions and when it was most needed.

Colombia squad:

Goalkeepers: David Ospina, Camilo Vargas, Jose Fernando Cuadrado

Defenders: Cristian Zapata, Davinson Sanchez Santiago Arias , Oscar Murillo Frank Fabra , Johan Mojica, Yerry Mina

Midfielders: Wílmar Barrios, Carlos Sanchez Jefferson Lerma, Jose Izquierdo , James Rodriguez , Abel Aguilar, Mateus Uribe, Juan Fernando Quintero, Juan Cuadrado

Forwards: Radamel Falcao, Miguel Borja, Carlos Bacca, Luis Fernando Muriel

Uruguay

With stars like Suarez, Godin and Cavani, Uruguay should easily top their group of Russia, Saudi Arabia and Salah-less Egypt. Just like Colombia, Uruguay too undoubtedly have the talent, but lack of depth in the midfield casts a shadow of doubt over a third Tournament win.

Still, with Diego Godin and Jose Gimenez at the back and Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani in the front, the team looks a formidable one and another contender for a top four spot. With Cavani outperforming Suarez, a bigger name, Manager Oscar Tabarez will be a happy man and excited to lead the side for the fourth time at the highest level (1990, 2010, 2014, 2018).

However, lack of dependable mid-fielders is something that will concern the Uruguayan coach.

Uruguay squad:

Goalkeepers: Fernando Muslera, Martin Silva, Martin Campana

Defenders: Diego Godin, Sebastian Coates, Jose Maria Gimenez, Maximiliano Pereira, Gaston Silva, Martin Caceres, Guillermo Varela

Midfielders: Nahitan Nandez, Lucas Torreira, Matias Vecino, Rodrigo Bentancur, Carlos Sanchez, Giorgian De Arrascaeta, Cristian Rodriguez, Gaston Ramirez

Strikers: Cristhian Stuani, Maximiliano Gomez, Edinson Cavani, Luis Suarez

Japan

Japan’s double-edged sword is the experience of the squad. With four players having played more than 80 international matches, the experts are divided over if experience will lead the team to glory or if an ageing squad will hamper their chances. Having crashed out of group stage in 2014 and sacking the coach just two months prior to the 2018 World Cup, the signs are not good for the Asian team.

But the Blue Samurai will be banking on experience, with several players appearing at their third World Cup. Japan's comfort in possession remains a positive too.

Shinji Okazaki is a quality player that has the ability to score some marvelous goals and Shinji Kagawa is in top form as well. It was Shinji Kagawa’s six goals that was integral to Japan’s qualification in the World Cup finals in Russia.

But if the team is in positive state, especially after the management’s decision to relieve Vahid Halilhodzic in early April that caused significant turmoil, is something to be seen as the tournament progresses. Vahid’s replacement, Akira Nishino, under who Japan won the Asian Champions League title in 2008, is in damage control mode.

Apart from that, Japan is an aging squad. With its stars such as Okazaki, Honda and captain Hasebe all into their 30s, they seem way past their best.

Japan squad:

Goalkeepers: Eiji Kawashima, Masaaki Higashiguchi, Kosuke Nakamura

Defenders: Yuto Nagatomo , Tomoaki Makino, Wataru Endo, Maya Yoshida, Hiroki Sakai, Gotoku Sakai, Gen Shoji, Naomichi Ueda

Midfielders: Makoto Hasebe Keisuke Honda, Takashi Inui, Shinji Kagawa, Hotaru Yamaguchi Genki Haraguchi , Takashi Usami , Gaku Shibasaki , Ryota Oshima

Forwards: Shinji Okazaki, Yuya Osako, Yoshinori Muto

With inputs from Shubang Gautam