Match Details:
Date: 23 November 2022
Time: 12:30 AM IST
Venue: Al Janoub Stadium
Live Commentary: SportsTiger App
Preview:
Group D in the FIFA World Cup 2022 kicks off with Australia facing the defending champions France at the Al Janoub Stadium. The Socceroos don’t have a big chance and similarly don’t have an exciting team like their 2006 campaign. In comparison, the French just days before the start of the tournament were left without many of their star players. But still, Les Bleus have one of the most dominant squads and are among the favourites to win the World Cup.
Team news:
Australia:
There have been no major injury concerns for Australia.
France:
The French team will be without RB Leipzig forward Christopher Nkunku and the current Ballon D'or winner Karim Benzema, who suffered injury during the training session, days before the World Cup start.
Analysis:
Australia will be heading to the World Cup in Qatar with the hopes of possibly going beyond the group stage for just the second time in its history. Under coach Graham Arnold, the Socceroos haven’t been in the best of forms. The team is without stars like Mile Jedinak and Tim Cahill and hence doesn’t have much chance of reaching the Round of 16. Therefore, Mat Ryan’s men would want to spoil the tournament for other teams with some exciting players like Garang Kuol and Martin Boyle.
Apart from major injuries, France still has one of the top squads in the World Cup. Les Bleus have some incredibly talented players who lack experience. Hence defending their title wouldn’t be a cake for the French. This also could be coach Didier Deschamps’ last stint with the team; hence, he would want to improve after a disappointing Euros campaign. Along with inexperience, the French team also struggles with off-field issues which have often been the key reason for their downfall.
Key Players:
Head-to-head:
Probable Starting XIs:
Australia
Mat Ryan (GK) (C), Nathaniel Atkinson, Bailey Wright, Kye Rowles, Aziz Behich, Ajdin Hrustic, Aaron Mooy, Jackson Irvine, Mathew Leckie, Mitchell Duke, Craig Goodwin.
France
Hugo Lloris (GK) (C), Benjamin Pavard, Rafael Varane, William Saliba, Theo Hernandez, Adrien Rabiot, Aurelien Tchouameni, Antoine Griezman, Kylian Mbappe, Olivier Giroud, Ousmane Dembele.
Grand League team:
Head-to-head team:
Best 14:
Goalkeepers: Mat Ryan, Hugo Lloris
Defenders: Rafael Varane, Benjamin Pavard, Theo Hernandez, Nathaniel Atkinson, Bailey Wright
Midfielders: Ousmane Dembele, Antoine Griezman, Ajdin Hrustic, Aaron Mooy
Strikers: Kylian Mbappe, Olivier Giroud, Mitchell Duke
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed within this article are the author’s point of view. They neither reflect the opinion of SportsTiger nor advise anyone to make any prediction based on this. SportsTiger does not assume any responsibility and liability for the same.
