World Cup: Team C Group Credentials

You got it…it’s time to depict the teams in Group C and find out how they fare in terms of World Cup predictions…
FRANCE
Coach Didier Deschamps
Deschamps played over 100 times for France, scoring four times, as well as winning the 1998 World Cup and 2000 European Championship as a player. Appointed in 2012, he is yet to win a trophy as France manager but came close in 2016 when the French reached the final of UEFA Euro 2016, before losing to Portugal.
Key Player Antoine Griezmann
The Atlético Madrid forward has really shone in recent years, finishing top scorer at UEFA Euro 2016 and scoring twice in the 2018 UEFA Europa League final against Marseille.
Random Fact
France’s heaviest ever international defeat was against fellow group opponents Denmark in 1908, by an extraordinary scoreline of 17-1!
FIFA Ranking: 7
AUSTRALIA
Coach Bert van Marwijk
Dutchman van Marwijk became Australia coach in January 2018, four months after leaving the Saudi Arabia managerial role despite their successful qualifying campaign. When the Socceroos kick off their World Cup campaign against France, Marwijk will have managed only four games as Australia coach, all friendlies.
Key Player Mile Jedinak
Aston Villa midfielder Jedinak scored the vital hat-trick against Honduras that secured his country’s World Cup qualification, as well as also netting in the 2014 World Cup against the Netherlands.
Random Fact
After playing 22 games to get to Russia, Australia now hold the record for the longest distance travelled in a World Cup qualifying campaign at 155,000 miles.
FIFA Ranking: 40
PERU
Coach Ricardo Gareca
Former Argentina forward Gareca took charge of Peru in 2015, and has since led La Blanquirroja to the 2016 Copa América semi-finals, as well as helping them qualify for their first World Cup since 1982.
Key Player Jefferson Farfán
The Lokomotiv Moscow forward, who has also played for PSV Eindhoven and Schalke 04, is well known for his speed, technical ability and accurate corner kicks. He also has 24 international goals to his name.
Random Fact
Peru’s second highest all-time goalscorer Teófilo Cubillas is one of only three players to score five or more goals at two World Cups, managing five goals in 1970 and 1978. The only other players to do this are Germany’s Miroslav Klose and Thomas Müller.
FIFA Ranking: 11
DENMARK
Coach Åge Hareide
Former Norway and Manchester City defender Hareide was appointed Danish manager in March 2016 after Denmark failed to qualify for that year’s European Championship. He helped Denmark recover from consecutive qualifying defeats against Poland and Montenegro to make it to Russia 2018.
Key Player Christian Eriksen
Tottenham midfielder Eriksen racked up 11 goals in Russia 2018 qualifying, including a hat-trick in their make-or-break play-off against the Republic of Ireland.
Random Fact
Denmark’s World Cup opener against Peru will be the first ever meeting between the two sides.
FIFA Ranking: 12
> Bradley Montgomery