FIFA Confederations Cup (Group B): Which Two Teams Will Make it Out Alive?

There’s something about international football. While it may not be as competitive as club football, it’s usually hard to tell which way things will turn out.

The appetizer for the World Cup, the FIFA Confederations Cup, will serve up clashes between heavyweights like Portugal, Mexico, Germany, Chile and others.

While we’ve taken a close look at Group A yesterday, how will events play out in the tourney’s “Group of Death”?

With the Group featuring Germany (World champions), Chile (South American champions), Australia and Cameroon (African champions), things could get a bit tricky. Here’s why.

Germany coach, Joachim Low, announced a team that most weren’t expecting. No Ozil, Neuer, Muller, Kroos and some other usual suspects. He claimed he wanted to rest them for the World Cup, subtly suggesting that the Confederations Cup was not much of a big deal to him; a move that may as well send different kinds of signal to different quarters.

It doesn’t automatically make the Europeans a pushover. The other countries will still see them as a threat.

But a country like Chile will be relishing their chances of going against a German squad that is not at full strength. Led by Sanchez, the Red Ones will want to play their way into the knockout phase South American style: with skill, flair and brute strength.

Talking about brute strength, the African champions will be raring to go. Their conquest of African football a few months back (and the way they went about it) shows that the Indomitable Lions cannot be overlooked. With a solid backline, fast wingmen that roam tirelessly, Cameroon is definitely one to watch out for.

All these the Aussies are probably aware of already. And after losing 0-4 to Brazil – conceding in the first 30 seconds of the game – in a warm-up friendly, they will now want to tread even more cautiously in this tournament.

It’s Australia vs. Germany and Cameroon vs. Chile in the first round of games in Group B. The race to the top starts on the 18th of June. Which two teams do you think will finish first?

While you can make your predictions here and here, you can also leave us a comment and let’s know what you think.

Tags: FIFA Confederations Cup, Russia 2017