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Enrique trusts midfield, Costa Rica plot surprise
Enrique has made some key decisions. PHOTO/INTERNET
What you need to know:
Unlike 2010 when Spain sparked with glory, this time the squad is devoid of a lively striker of the lot comprising Alvaro Morata, Yeremy Pino, Ansu Fati, Ferran Torres or even Marco Asensio.
Self-destruction explained by sacking Julen Lopetegui for Luis Enrique on the eve of the tournament inevitably cost Spain at the 2018 Fifa World Cup.
After gaining stability in the job, Enrique has a chance to do better at the Qatar 2022 do. The 2010 winners are in a tricky group comprising four-time winners Germany, unpredictable Japan and a tricky Costa Rica.
SPAIN
Nickname: ‘La Roja’
Coach: Luis Enrique
Captain: Sergio Busquets
Fifa Ranking: 7
WC Appearance: 16th (1934, 1950, 1962, 1966, 1978, 1982, 1986, 1990, 1994, 1998, 2002, 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022)
Best Finish: Champions (2010)
Star Man: Pedri
Former FC Barcelona coach Enrique has done fairly well in his four-year spell with a semi-final at Euro 2020 last year, a final of 2021 Nations League and a semi-final appearance secured for the current Nations League spell.
Unlike 2010 when Spain sparked with glory, this time the squad is devoid of a lively striker of the lot comprising Alvaro Morata, Yeremy Pino, Ansu Fati, Ferran Torres or even Marco Asensio.
However, the La Roja’s concerns could be put to bed by the midfield trio of skipper Sergio Busquets and youngsters Pedri and Gavi.
COSTA RICA
Nickname: ‘Los Ticos’
Coach: Luis Fernando Suárez
Captain: Bryan Ruiz
Fifa Ranking: 31
WC Appearance: 6th (1990, 2002, 2006, 2014, 2018, 2022)
Best Finish: Quarter-finals (2014)
Star Man: Keylor Navas
On paper, Costa Rica stands the least chance of progression from this pool. But their best-ever World Cup performance came in 2014 when they emerged from a similar tough group comprising Uruguay, Italy and England.
And by reaching the quarterfinals in Brazil, that’s the furthest a Concacaf team has gone in the past four World Cups.
Now coach Luis Fernando Suarez knows he’ll put numbers behind the ball and try to launch counterattacks beginning with Keylor Navas in goal to former Arsenal striker Joel Campbell upfront.
QATAR 2022 - GROUP C FIXTURES
Nov 23: Germany vs. Japan, Khalifa Stadium, Al Rayyan
Nov 23: Spain vs. Costa Rica, Al Thumama Stadium, Doha
Nov 27: Japan vs. Costa Rica, Ahmad bin Ali Stadium, Al Rayyan
Nov 27: Spain vs. Germany, Al Bayt Stadium, Al Khor
Dec 1: Japan vs. Spain, Khalifa International
Dec 1: Costa Rica vs. Germany, Al Bayt
