World Cup Names To Know: Group H

Previously:

World Cup Preview And Predictions

Group A Names To Know

Group B Names To Know

Group C Names To Know

Groups D, E, And F Names To Know

Group G Names To Know

ALGERIA

Who you know:

Madjid Bougherra – Algerian captain with more than twice as many international caps as anyone else on the team. Bougherra has played his club ball all across Europe and Asia, and at 31 years old, finds himself without a club for the 2014 season. Look for Bougherra to make this a statement tournament as he will have his hands full dealing with a power Belgian attack.

Who you should know:

Sofiane Feghouli – with only 20 international caps, Feghouli has made his claim to fame with Spanish club Valencia, where he has played 136 games. Feghouli is not known as a pure goal scorer, but will can create goal scoring opportunities from anywhere on the pitch. Look for Feghouli to find his way onto the stat sheet in the assist column or perhaps from a free kick or two.

Who you will know:

El Arbi Hillel Soudani – Soudani has the makings of an attacker that just likes to score goals. Having scored double-digit goals for every team he has ever played for (club and country), Soudani will look to keep adding to his goal tally.

*NabilBentaleb – mark this one as a gut call or one for the future, but this 19 year old has a talent that can’t be ignored. If he is given a chance on the pitch, keep a close eye on this little large hell on wheels.

BELGIUM

Who you know:

Vincent Kompany – turn on England’s Barclays Premier League and Kompany will either be playing or being talked about. This mountain of a defender earns his money the hard way by knocking down and dominating any opposing attacker. The rock of the Manchester City defense, Kompany is even more deadly when part of a free kick attack. Kompany will most assuredly get his dome on any stray ball in the box and bury it in the net.

Daniel Van Buyten – 80 international caps and 158 games with Germany’s Bayern Munich, Van Buyten is more than battle tested. Van Buyten will be standing tall at 6’6” and lined up right next to other Belgium tower Vincent Kompany. I don’t know of any mountain ranges running through Belgium, but if there are, they most certainly include Kompany and Van Buyten.

Who you should know:

Marouane Fellaini – Fellani has plenty of caps with his nation team, but is another Belgian who is more widely known for his club play at England’s Everton and Manchester United. Another towering figure at 6’4”, Fellaini combines that size with an impressive speed that allows him to roam all over the pitch. Look for Fellaini to move from box-to-box and get his foot on a strike or two.

Thibaut Courtois – one of the best and least known goalkeepers in the world, Courtois led his Spanish club team Atletico Madrid to a La Liga title and Champion’s League finals appearance. Courtois will turn heads with impressive performances and improbable saves. Courtois looks to guide Belgium to a deep run this World Cup.

*Simon Mingnolet – not only does Belgium have a top 5 goalkeeper in the world in Courtois, it actually has a second top 5 goalkeeper in Simon Mignolet. Playing for England’s Liverpool club, Mignolet had a stellar season.

Who you will know:

Eden Hazard – a young attacking midfielder, Hazard has a promising future ahead of him. One of English club Chelsea’s most dangerous attackers, Hazard will undoubtedly have a superb World Cup.

Romelu Lukaku – even after losing striker Benteke an injury, Belgium doesn’t even need to blink in order to replace him. Lukaku has a healthy mix of speed and ball striking and he, too, will make his mark in Brazil.

RUSSIA

Who you know:

Aleksandr Kerzhakov – leading the Russian national squad with 25 goals (next highest is 8), Kerzhakov is synonymous with Russian soccer. Kerzhakov has played his last 6 years of club football in Russia, logging over 150 games and 70 goals. Kerzhakov will need to be fully prepared to carry his nation to World Cup glory as there are not too many others on the squad that can make an impact like he can.

Who you should know:

Igor Akinfeev – another top notch keeper, Akinfeev has played his entire career (280 games) for Russian club CSKA Moscow where he has won five league titles. Often courted by English clubs, Akinfeev has refused to leave his Motherland and gained the respect and admiration of his fellow countrymen and fans.

Who you will know:

Alan Dzagoev – Russia will need a solid showing from its midfield in hopes of making it out of the group stage. Dzagoev is an attacking midfielder who can help out on defense just as much as he can lead a Russian attack. Even though given limited opportunities, Dzagoev knows how to score and will not hesitate to prove it.

SOUTH KOREA

Who you know:

Park Chu-Young – tied for most international caps at 64 and leading his squad with 24 goals, Park may just be the most valuable player on this Korean side. Having scored most of his career club goals from 2005to 2011, Park was picked up by English club Arsenal. Not given many opportunities to prove himself at Arsenal, Park was sent out on loan from 2012 on and has yet to achieve the level of his earlier success. Park will hope to use this tournament has the kick in the pants his career needs.

Who you should know:

Lee Keun-ho – Lee also has 64 international caps and is the 2^nd leading goal scorer with 18 goals. Unlike Park, Lee has spent his career around Asian football clubs, but also possesses that ability to score. Lee will rely on his speed and key passing ability to create some golden opportunities for the Korean attack.

Who you will know:

Ji Dong-won – this 23 year old striker has already netted 8 goals in just 28 international appearances. Ji has supreme talent and the rare size (6’2”) of a Korean footballer. Ji recently signed with German force Borussia Dortmund and he will look to show the world just how deadly he can be.