GROUP A – All Eyes on the Hosts

Group A

Brazil

Croatia

Mexico

Cameroon

 

An Outlook

Group A will kick things off at this World Cup, with tournament favorites Brazil taking on the Croats. This promises to be quite an interesting group, because it will give us an idea if Brazil can live up the ‘favorites’ tag. Although the hosts are expected to cruise through, the remaining spot is up for grabs. Croatia look most likely to grab that spot, but its never that easy, isn’t it?

Lets take a look at how each of these teams have shaped up, with analysis strengths, weaknesses and whom to watch out for.

Here’s Team Previews Set 1.

 

 

BRAZIL

 

Nickname: Seleção (The Selected)

The most successful team in the competition’s history. A country whose history is packed with some of the greatest players ever to have played the game. A team whose style of play is matched by no other. Pace, power, control, elegance, passion – these words epitomize Brazilian football. And this year, they play in their own backyard. Few would argue that they are the team to beat to win this World Cup.

 

Luiz Felipe Scolari – You just don’t want to be at the end of that look.

Manager: Luiz Felipe Scolari

The fiery Brazilian is no stranger to the World Cup. Having already led Brazil to victory in the 2002 World Cup and getting Portugal into the last four at Germany 2006, Scolari boasts a wealth of experience very few can match. Yes, he did suffer The Abramovich Axe at Chelsea, but ‘Big Phil’ is back to his favorite stage, and is ready to face the storm.

Best World Cup Performance

Champions : 5 (1958, 1962, 1970, 1994, 2002)
Runners Up : 2 (1950, 1998)

The Team

In my opinion, their greatest asset at this World Cup would be their defence. The center-back combination of Thiago Silva, who for me is the closest anyone is today to being the ideal defender, and David Luiz, the versatile and crazy one, is definitely going to take some magic to beat. Brazil have always been known for their overlapping wing-backs who find themselves largely in the opposition half than their own. In fact, the Brazilians were the ones who brought in the concept of a wing-back. The legendary combination of Carlos and Cafu dangerously charging down the wings at the 2002 World Cup is almost equally replicated now through the Real Madrid-Barcelona duo Marcelo and Alves.

Their midfield for me is their weak link. Brazil employs a 4-3-3 formation with 3 central midfield positions and no orthodox wingers. Among the 7 players chosen by Scolari for these 3 positions, Fernandinho, who won the English Premier League with Manchester City, is the only player to have won a title this season. All the others are coming off largely disappointing seasons. The Chelsea trio of Ramires, Willian and Oscar, although brilliant at times this season, have failed to capture that form consistently. If there’s one area where Brazil could be beat, is in midfield.

As we move to the forwards, there’s that one name that stands out. Brazil’s biggest icon today, the poster boy for the World Cup, Neymar. The Barcelona man is all set to dazzle the world with his exquisite skills and is widely touted to be the star of the tournament. He’s gifted in the art of faking (in all meanings of the word). Along with the powerful duo of Hulk and Fred, Neymar and co are all set to blast their way to glory.

Neymar – Leading the hosts’ charge from the front.

Brazil Squad In Full

Goalkeepers: Julio Cesar (Toronto FC), Jefferson (Botafogo), Victor (Atletico Mineiro)

Defenders: Marcelo (Real Madrid), Daniel Alves (Barcelona), Maicon (AS Roma), Maxwell, Thiago Silva (both Paris St Germain), David Luiz (Chelsea), Dante (Bayern Munich), Henrique (Napoli)

Midfielders: Paulinho (Tottenham Hotspur), Ramires, Willian, Oscar (all Chelsea), Hernanes (Inter Milan), Luiz Gustavo (VfL Wolfsburg), Fernandinho (Manchester City)

Forwards: Bernard (Shakhtar Donetsk), Neymar (Barcelona), Fred (Fluminense), Jo (Atletico Mineiro), Hulk (Zenit St Petersburg).

 

 

CROATIA

 

Nickname: Kockasti (The Chequered Ones)

After the huge disappointment of not having qualified for the previous World Cup in 2010, Croatia would be raring to go at this edition. Boasting many big names in the team, they are more than capable of causing an upset or two. They are favorites to qualify from the group behind hosts Brazil.

Niko Kovac – The Newbie.

Manager: Niko Kovac

Just recently retired from his playing career in 2009, Niko Kovac is a total newcomer in the coaching world. He retired as Croatia’s oldest player, having captained them in both the 2006 World Cup and Euro ’08. But, coaching the national side at a World Cup is a huge task. Compared to Big Phil above, Niko is just a kid. Quite a lot of pressure on the chap, but let’s hope he can unleash the ‘ic’s.

Best World Cup Performance

Third Place : 1998

 The Team

There are 10 players in the squad whose names don’t end in ‘ic’. I think that has to be a Croatian record! Anyways, this squad boasts a few big names from some of the biggest clubs in Europe. In my opinion, Croatia’s strongest area is their central midfield, with the magnificent duo of Luka Modric, who is fresh off a Champions League winning campaign, and Ivan Rakitic, who won the Europa League Player of the Tournament during Sevilla’s successful campaign. The former especially, is one of the finest playmakers today and has become a regular fixture in the Real Madrid squad.

Leading the attack is the first choice striker for German giants Bayern Munich for the past couple of years, Mario Mandzukic, who seems to have a head made more of rock than brains. At the back, one of the best signings of this season in the English Premier League, Dejan Lovren of Southampton, sits rock solid, providing the team a good balance. This is a squad that is indeed capable of raising a few eyebrows.

Luka Modric – Pulling all the Strings.

Croatia Squad In Full

Goalkeepers: Stipe Pletikosa (Rostov), Danijel Subasic (Monaco), Oliver Zelenika (Dinamo Zagreb).

Defenders: Darijo Srna (Shakhtar Donetsk), Dejan Lovren (Southampton), Vedran Corluka (Lokomotiv Moscow), Gordon Schildenfeld, Danijel Pranjic (both Panathinaikos), Domagoj Vida (Dynamo Kiev), Sime Vrsaljko (Genoa).

Midfielders: Luka Modric (Real Madrid), Ivan Rakitic (Sevilla), Ognjen Vukojevic (Dynamo Kiev), Ivan Perisic (Wolfsburg), Mateo Kovacic (Inter Milan), Marcelo Brozovic (Dinamo Zagreb), Sammir (Getafe), Ivan Mocinic (Rijeka).

Forwards: Mario Mandzukic (Bayern Munich), Ivica Olic (Wolfsburg), Eduardo (Shakhtar Donetsk), Nikica Jelavic (Hull City), Ante Rebic (Fiorentina).

 

 

MEXICO

 

Nickname: Los Manitos (The Little Hands)

Some say the although Mexico is in North America and not South America, the Mexicans have the touch and talent that is equal of a Brazilian or an Argentinian. Sadly enough, they haven’t been able to prove that much. It will quite be a tough task qualifying from this group, let alone go further. They’ve always been a country with more historical importance than actual performances, like being part of the first ever World Cup match, the first country to host two World Cups etc. Maybe they can turn the tables this time.

Manager: Miguel Herrera

Miguel Herrera

After I read about him, I understood that this is guy who is as Mexican as Mexican goes. Played and managed entirely in the Mexican League for various clubs and here he is, off to Brazil. He has quite a difficult job ahead of him and so, since I don’t know him much, I’ll just say, Good Luck Mr. Herrera!

Best World Cup Performance

Quarter-Finals : 2 (1970, 1986)

The Team

The Mexican squad just has 8 players plying their trade in Europe as Herrera has opted for a largely domestic based squad. So, most of them are unknown to the rest of the world. The key names that stand out are Manchester United’s super sub Javier ‘Chicharito’ Hernandez, and former Tottenham and Barcelona forward Giovanni Dos Santos, who will be leading the attack for the Mexicans. Also the presence of veteran defender Rafael Marquez, who boasts a wealth of experience at the highest level will be beneficial to the team’s confidence.

Chicharito will be spearheading the Mexican Wave.

Mexico Squad In Full

Goalkeepers: Jose de Jesus Corona (Cruz Azul), Guillermo Ochoa (Ajaccio), Alfredo Talavera (Toluca)

Defenders: Miguel Layun (America), Carlos Salcido (Tigres), Paul Aguilar (America), Andres Guardado (Bayer Leverkusen), Hector Moreno (Espanyol), Francisco Javier Rodriguez (America), Diego Reyes (Porto), Rafael Marquez (Leon).

Midfielders: Miguel Angel Ponce (Toluca), Jose Juan Vazquez (Leon), Javier Aquino (Villarreal), Hector Herrera (Porto), Isaac Brizuela (Toluca), Marco Fabian (Cruz Azul), Carlos Pena (Leon).

Forwards: Oribe Peralta (Santos), Javier Hernandez (Manchester United), Giovani dos Santos (Villarreal), Raul Jimenez (America), Alan Pulido (Tigres).

 

 

CAMEROON

 

Nickname: Lions Indomptables (The Indomitable Lions)

They remain Africa’s most successful team in World Cups, having played in the most tournaments and most matches than any other in the continent. They’ll be perhaps mostly remembered for their exploits at the 1990 World Cup, where they reached the quarter-finals with the incensed 38-year old Roger Milla taking the world by shock with both his goals and his dancing. They have been gifted with some of the best talents in Africa over the years and although they’re not among the favorites to qualify from the group, they will definitely have a strong say in who will.

Volker Finke

Manager: Volker Finke

Finke is a German veteran who has been in management for nearly 40 years now. Although he isn’t that well known, he has huge experience in managing, not just in Germany, but in Asia and now, Africa. His experience will be key as Cameroon hope to mount a surprise charge in Group A.

Best World Cup Performance

Quarter-Finals : 1990

The Team

The Cameroon squad has quite a number of players playing in the top European leagues. One of the big names to look out for is former Barcelona, Inter Milan and Chelsea veteran forward, Samuel Eto’o, who is arguably the best African player in the past decade, having won the African Player of the Year Award a record 4 times. He will be out to prove his critic(s) that he is not that old. Another big name is former Arsenal and current Barcelona midfielder Alex Song. With many such talents, Cameroon will hope to lead Africa’s charge in Brazil.

Samuel Eto’o – Still a young man.

Cameroon Squad In Full

Goalkeepers: Charles Itandje (Konyaspor), Sammy Ndjock (Fetihespor), Loic Feudjou (Coton Sport)

Defenders: Allan Nyom (Granada), Dany Nounkeu (Besiktas), Cedric Djeugoue (Coton Sport), Aurelien Chedjou (Galatasaray), Nicolas Nkoulou (Marseille), Henri Bedimo (Lyon), Benoit Assou-Ekotto (Tottenham Hotspur)

Midfielders: Eyong Enoh (Antalyaspor), Jean Makoun (Rennes), Joel Matip (Schalke), Stephane Mbia (QPR), Landry Nguemo (Bordeaux), Alex Song (Barcelona), Edgar Salli (Lens)

Forwards: Samuel Eto’o (unattached), Eric Choupo Moting (Mainz), Benjamin Moukandjo (Nancy), Vincent Aboubakar (Lorient), Pierre Webo (Fenerbahce), Fabrice Olinga (Zulte-Waregem).