Edgaras Jankauskas's coached Lithuanian national team starts the qualification cycle for the 2018 World Cup today. Lithuania, who has never played in the most powerful tournament on the planet, has hopes for this qualification, but they face very serious opponents in the group - Slovenia, England, Slovakia, Scotland, and Malta.
The first opponent of the national team in Group F is Slovenia. Twice competing in the main World Cup group stage, the Slovenes have high hopes for this qualification. The main weapon of the Lithuanian national team is playing on artificial turf in front of their fans, but the Slovenes have an even more dangerous weapon - several individual very strong footballers.
The EuroFootball.com portal presents four most dangerous players of the Slovenian national team that should be paid attention to.
Jan Oblak - a 23-year-old Madrid "Atletico" goalkeeper.
Since 2014, playing for Diego Simeone's team, the goalkeeper has become one of the brightest Slovenian football stars in the last two years. Lithuania's national team management did not need to focus so much attention on the goalkeeper, but for the national team forwards, breaking through J. Oblak's goal can be very difficult.
The best goalkeeper of the past season in "La Liga" and the UEFA Champions League is J. Oblak. The goalkeeper played in the UEFA Champions League final last season with "Atletico", where after a penalty shootout, they lost to Real Madrid. The goalkeeper's main advantages are exceptional reaction and good play with his feet.
2015-16 season statistics:
- Played: 51 matches
- Clean sheets: 32 matches
Kevin Kampl - a 25-year-old Leverkusen "Bayer" midfielder.
Born in Germany and starting his career there, the midfielder is perhaps the greatest talent in Slovenia. K. Kampl's career began with the Leverkusen "Bayer" team. Later, the footballer defended the honor of Salzburg "Red Bull" for three years and in 2015 he put on Borussia Dortmund's jersey, but soon returned to his first club - "Bayer".
The midfielder can see the field well and create opportunities himself. K. Kampas scored four goals and made five assists in 34 games played for Leverkusen last season. Lithuania's defenders and midfielders will need a lot of effort to stop this midfielder. Kamplo's main position is central midfielder, but the footballer can play on the left wing as well.
2015-16 season statistics:
- Played: 34
- Goals: 4
- Assists: 5
Josip Ilicic - a 28-year-old "Fiorentina" attacking midfielder.
Since 2010 playing in Italy, the Slovenian national team's attacking midfielder is one of the most dangerous players both in the national team and in the "Fiorentina" club. J. Ilicic arrived at Palermo club in the mentioned years. After spending three years with this team, the midfielder moved to Florence and has been playing there ever since.
In the Fiorentina team, the footballer plays as an attacking midfielder, but his main position in the Slovenian team is right winger. Lithuania's defenders will have to pay a lot of attention to this Slovenian giant. Standing at 190cm tall, the Slovenian was unstoppable last season, scoring 15 goals for the Italian team.
2015-16 season statistics:
- Played: 37
- Goals: 15
- Assists: 6
Robert Beric - a 25-year-old Saint-Etienne striker.
Another high-profile Slovenian national team player's career is not as famous as the aforementioned footballers. The striker started his career at his hometown "Krško" team. Later, R. Beric wore the jerseys of "Interblock" (Slovenia), "Maribor" (Slovenia), and "Sturm Graz (Austria) teams. In the 2014-15 season, the forward received an invitation from Vienna's "Rapid" and after an excellent season at this club, he moved to "Saint-Etienne" in France.
Lithuania's central defenders will have to pay great attention to this striker. Especially in the second row, where he knows how to play well with his head, so we should see many crossed balls into the penalty area in the Slovenian national team's game. Last season was unsuccessful for the striker - due to an injury, R. Beric played only 10 matches in the "Ligue 1" championship, but this player's target is always adjusted and he can score at any time.
2015-16 season statistics:
- Played: 13
- Goals: 5
- Assists: 2
Aivaras Katutis
