Poland, Japan, Senegal and Colombia will battle it out to qualify from Group H of the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. The interesting thing about this group is that none of the teams are much fancied to go a long way in the competition and come into the World Cup with somewhat average squad barring a select few individuals. Although many have placed a bet on Colombia and Poland to occupy the top two positions in the points table, nothing can be taken for guarantee as Senegal and Japan are well placed to offer stiff resistance.

Poland have star striker and one of the best in business in the forward area, Robert Lewandowski leading the attack for them. He was the top scorer in the European World Cup qualifiers with 16 goals and his morale is sky high. The last time Poland played at the World Cup was 12 years ago in Germany and the level of excitement in the Polish camp is quite high for the event in Russia. They looked good at Euro 2016 losing out to eventual champions Portugal on penalties and will hope lady luck smiles on them this time. FIFA World Cup 2018 Schedule.

Colombia are sweating over the fitness of talisman and last World Cup’s top scorer James Rodriguez as he is battling a calf injury. They meet Japan in their opening group game, a team they dismantled 4-1 at a similar stage in the last World Cup. Radamel Falcao and Juan Cuadrado are two attacking forces present in the team who will be crucial in Jose Pekerman’s men reaching the second round. Falcao, a national icon, missed the last world cup due to an injury and will look to make amends for it in Russia.

2018 FIFA World Cup Group H Points Table

Points Table Updated Till Today's Match.

Japan will be the least fancied of all the opponents because they often tend to be terrible at finals after strong qualification campaigns which has seen them make it to the big event for the sixth consecutive time. Ths Samurai Blue will be relying hugely on Maya Yoshida-the Southampton center back to be their defensive rock in Russia. Old stalwarts like Shinji Kagawa and Keisuke Honda can play a huge role in getting the crucial goals that has been lacking off late.

Senegal have two players in Sadio Mane and Idrissa Gueye, who are quite simply world class and put in some memorable displays for their clubs, Liverpool and Everton in the season gone by. Managed by their skipper of the 2002 World Cup campaign, Aliou Cisse, they do not have to go far to look for inspiration. Their coach led a pretty average team to the quarter-finals of the World Cup back in 2002. The pundits have kept their cards close to the chest in terms of predicting who goes through from group H and it is indeed very close affair.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 19, 2018 05:45 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).