Belgium best bet in Group H

Belgium is the preferred picked against Russia, South Korea, and Algeria for its impressive record in the World Cup 2014 qualifying and youthful and talent-laden roster. Belgium never lost in the qualifying, winning seven straight games, including one against the tough Portugal and finished the pre-World Cup tournament with an 8-2-0 win-draw-loss record.

As for its lineup, a bunch of Belgium players are plying their trade in European leagues. Among them are midfielders Romelu Lukaku of Everton and Wolfsburg’s Kevin De Bruyne, who scored the most goals (four) for Belgium in the qualifying. Also on the list are promising and young goalie Thibaut Courtois (Atletico Madrid), Kevin Mirallas (Everton), Moussa Dembélé (Tottenham), and Premier League’s Thomas Vermaelen, and Marouane Fellaini, and Jan Vertongen.

Majority of Belgium’s players are in their mid 20s and those fresh legs allowed the Red Devils to play a fast-paced game and become no pushovers on defense as they can hold their ground in a physical match.

Among the four teams in Group H, Belgium has the most World Cup appearances with 11 so that’s also a plus factor for the team. Russia is second with 10, South Korea has nine while Algeria has four. The Red Devils are also the highest rank in the group at No. 11 and were once at No. 4 during the qualifying, while the Russians are at No. 18. Algeria is ranked at No. 25, way ahead of South Korea (No. 55).

Russia is favored to join Belgium in the Round of 16 with the arrival of former England coach Fabio Capello. Capello will be pinning his hopes on forward Alexander Kokorin (Dynamo Moscow), who played outstanding games during the qualifier. The Russians missed the last two editions of the World Cup and are out to regain respect from fellow Euro teams in Brazil.

South Korea and Algeria are the outsiders in Group H with its inconsistent showing in the qualifying. The Taeguk Warriors made frequent changes in their rosters and coaches before settling for Hong Myung-Bo, the captain of the South Korean team that finished fourth in 2002. Hong will be relying on Son Heung Min and Ji Dongwon to turn things around for the Taeguk Warriors.

Algeria was the last African team to qualify for the World Cup, nearly missing a Brazil trip after suffering a 2-3 loss to Burkina Faso before bouncing back at home, 1-0. Madjid Bougherra scored the winning goal fir Algeria against Burkina Faso and he will lead the team anew in Brazil and hopes to get help from midfielders Sofiane Feghouli and Medhi Lacen.