2018 FIFA World Cup Group H Preview: Schedule Timetable With Match Dates, Venues & Kick-Off Times in IST of Poland, Senegal, Colombia, and Japan in Football WC

Colombia, Japan, Poland and Senegal are the four challengers in Group H of 2018 FIFA World Cup in what should be a fascinating group consisting of decent footballing nations. Colombia, who can claim to have the strongest line up in this group though, will need to play well as they did in Brazil four years ago. Poland did remarkably well in the qualifiers, and they will be upbeat for this one and so would Japan, one of the finest teams from Asia be. Senegal is back playing World Cup football after waiting for sixteen long years, and their squad will be buzzing to go out there and perform. Group G of the 2018 FIFA World Cup is scheduled to commence on June 17 and last until 27. Here’s a look at 2018 FIFA World Cup Group H (Poland, Senegal, Colombia, and Japan) schedule timetable including match dates, venues, and kick-off time. 2018 FIFA World Cup Schedule in IST for PDF Download: Fixtures, Groups, Time Table with Matches in Indian Time & Venue Details of Football WC in Russia.

Poland recently made it to the top 10 in the FIFA ranking which a testament to the progress of polish football and is striving to bring back its glory days of the past. Robert Lewandowski, their star striker, is considered one of the best in his business in the world and was the top scorer in European World Cup qualifiers. They also have some decent footballers in Kamil Glik, Lukasz Piszczek, and midfielder Grzegorz Krychowiak who have played quite a lot of matches for their clubs and go into the World Cup full of confidence. A team that takes Adam Nawalka’s Poland lightly should do so at its own peril.

Colombia had a dream run in the last World Cup in Brazil thanks mainly to the magical performance of James Rodriguez who seemed to have performed at jaw-dropping level. Four years later, he is again the talisman for his side. Having struggled under Zinedine Zidane at Real Madrid, the loan move to Bayern Munich seemed to have rejuvenated the player who is back to his best. Radamel Falcao and Juan Cuadrado are two important members of the Colombian attacking force while names like Davison Sanchez at the back makes their defense solid.

Japan was in a bit of soup with the sacking of head coach Vahid Halilhodzic immediately after topping the World Cup qualifying group which raised a lot of , and the team was impacted. Akira Nishino, his replacement has seen success with the Japanese team in the past and recalled the old warhorses like Shinji Kagawa and Keisuke Honda back into the Japanese fold. They have plenty of members playing in the European leagues which mean there is no dearth of players who have played at the highest level. Shinji Okazaki of Leicester City has been an EPL winner along with Kagawa which means Japan certainly has the resources to excel.

Senegal has two top world class players in Liverpool’s Sadio Mane and Everton’s Idrissa Gueye who have been at the forefront for their respective clubs leading their campaign. The Lions of Teranga conceded just three goals in the qualifiers and look to build their game from the back. Their coach Alio Cisse, the man who led Senegal during its outstanding run in the 2002 World Cup, has brought great tactical discipline to this team. He managed his country to qualify for the finals of the World Cup after three unsuccessful attempts and the mood in the Senegal camp is filled with optimism.

Group H of 2018 FIFA World Cup Timetable: List of Matches with Kick-off Times

Group H Prediction

Colombia and Poland will be the two teams to make it to the next round from this somewhat balanced group where each match played will be a cagey and close affair. The world-class names in each team can be the deciding factor when the teams lock horns. Senegal and Japan know they have to work harder than the other two members in order to qualify. Teams that progress from the Group – Colombia and Poland.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 11, 2018 01:03 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).