BRAZIL2014: A Comprehensive Breakdown of the FIFA World Cup Draw.

Finally the dust has settled. Although some nerves was rested while for others their faith was decided after FIFA concluded the draw for the mega show piece billed to go down in Brazil come June 2014 in Costa do Sauipe, Bahia. It promises to be a massive spectacle as footballing super stars converge in Brazil to showcase their God given talent –one thing is for sure, the turf will be in for a rough ride though out the competition.

Here is a comprehensive analysis of the entire group featuring; star players, hitman, outsiders, strength and weakness.

Group A

Brazil, Croatia, Mexico and Cameroon.

Analysis:

Brazil are considered favorite to progress from this group, and are even expected to top the group if everything works as plan for the five time winners, Brazil. They are head and shoulder above the rest in the group. The African contingent in the group, Cameroon are not the force they were some years back and certainly pose little threat. Croatia definitely have experience and some quality spread through the team but will not be a march for the Selecao of Brazil. A potential banana pill for the host nation are Mexico, who won Olympic gold at the expense of Brazil in London 2012 Olympic. Though few may argue that the Scolari led side have advanced further beating the current world champions to secure the confederation cup.

Manager:

Brazil – Luis Felipe Scolari

Croatia – Niko Kovac

Mexico – Miguel Herrera.

Cameroon – Volker Finke

Star Player: Neymar (Brazil & Barcelona), Luka Modric (Croatia & Real Madrid), Giovani dos Santos (Mexico), Alex Song (Cameroon & Barcelona).

Hitman: Thiago Silva (Brazil & PSG), Mario Mandzukic (Croatia & Bayern Munich), Chicharito (Mexico & Man United), Samuel Eto’o (Cameroon & Chelsea).

Verdict: Brazil and Mexico to progress

Outsiders: Croatia

Group B

Spain, Netherland, Chile and Australia.

Analysis:

Either Spain or Netherland could have won the world cup in South Africa, 2010, naturally we would not expect a Netherland team to be in the same group as Spain. But this could have been a potential FIFA world cup final, though it was made possible because of Netherlands position in the the current FIFA ranking. but sport fans are in for a big treat as it is served in the opening encounter. One thing will definitely be in the mind of the Orange team, revenge. The first game is crucial for both party, who ever takes it deals a psychological blow on the other. However, Chile have a shout in this group, they can either go through or have a hand in the team that progresses to the next round, likewise Australia. The Postecoglou led side may yet prove a litmus test for other teams with La Roja finding it difficult to win matches –fingers crossed.

Managers:

Spain – Vincente Del Bosque

Netherland – Louis Van Gaal

Chile – Jorge Sampaoli

Australia – Ange Postecoglou.

Star Players: Andres Iniesta (Spain & Barcelona) Arjen Robben (Holland & Bayern Munich) Arturo Vidal (Chile & Juventus) Robbie Kruse (Australia & Bayer Leverkusen)

Hitman: David Villa (Spain & Athletico Madrid) Robin Van Persie (Holland & Man United) Alexis Sanchez (Chile & Barcelona) Tim Cahil (Australia & )

Verdict: Spain and Netherland in no particular order.

Outsiders: Chile

Title: AFRICAN’S HOPE ON DIDIER DROGBA’S LED IVORY COAST IN BRAZIL2014

Group C

Colombia, Greece, Ivory Coast and Japan.

Analysis:

This group is practically open for the take, the best side with total commitment and resilience will progress. Colombia qualified without breaking sweat behind Argentina, Pekerman have developed an impressive side playing attractive football with Falcao leading the line like a colossal. Greece, a very compact side, with an impressive defensive attitude while going forward. They concede less and score less too, very difficult to break down. Greece have not made past the group stage in either of their two previous World Cup finals appearance. Though could cause trouble for any side on their day. Another African Representative, with due respect to the Ivorians, CIV have been a great disappointment to African region, with all the qualities they have within their rank they have failed to achieve anything of note and a golden generation winding down. Japan finished top of their group ahead of Australia, first to qualify for the World cup from the Asian Continent. The Japanese side are full of energy, continuous run for the entire duration.

Managers:

Colombia – Jose Pekerman.

Greece – Fernando Santos

Ivory Coast – Sabri Lamouchi

Japan -Alberto Zaccheroni

Star Players: James Rodriguez (Colombia & Monaco), Yaya Toure (CIV & Man City), Shinji Kagawa (Japan & Man United).

Hitman: Radamel Falcao (Colombia & Monaco), Kostas Mitroglou (Greece & Olympiakos), Didier Drogba (CIV & Gala), Keisuke Honda (Japan & CSKA Moscow).

Verdict: Colombia and Japan to progress.

Outsider: Ivory Coast.

Title: THE THREE LIONS OF ENGLAND IN A GROUP OF DEATH, OF THEIR OWN, AS ROONEY GOES HEAD-TO-HEAD AGAINST SUAREZ AND BALOTELI.

Group D

Uruguay, Costa Rica, England, Italy.

Analysis:

Uruguay a fantastic side under the tutelage of Oscar Tabarez with interesting players holding sway in world football, but they have struggled most times even against a less superior teams. Hence, qualifying through a play-off. One great thing for the lovers of football to enjoy from this group is the suspense and heartbreak it holds in stock, it will be dicey. With the inclusion of two equally decent European side that could come up with magic, the unfortunate thing is that only two must go through at the end of the day. Well qualifying has never been an issue for the Three Lions of England, they qualified relatively easily from their group. The game between England and Ital will be a repeat of Euro 2012. everything will be depending on how fit each teams key player are before and during the World Cup proper. With all due respect to Costa Ricans, they may serve as source of three point to the rest from the group.

Managers:

Uruguay – Oscar Tabarez

Costa Rica – Jorge Luis Pinto

England – Roy Hodgson

Italy – Cesare Prandelli

Star Players: Edinson Cavani (Uruguay & PSG), Bryan Ruiz (Costa Rica & Fulham), Jack Wilshere (England & Arsenal), Andrea Pirlo (Italy & Juventus).

Hitman: Luis Suarez (Uruguay & Liverpool), Wayne Rooney (England & Man United), Mario Balotelli (Italy & AC Milan).

Verdict: Italy and Uruguay to progress.

Outsider: England.

Title: A LUCKY DRAW FOR FRANK RIBERY AND FRIENDS: SWITZERLAND, ECUADOR AND HONDURAS MAY YET POSE THREAT FOR FRANCE.

Group E

Switzerland, Ecuador, France and Honduras.

Analysis:

Interesting, tricky, but a relatively easier group compared to the lot. France will having a thanksgiving with the whole intent of coming out of this one unblemished. Switzerland a decent side under Hitzfeld, I think they are the only side to take all three point against the eventual world champions in South Africa 2010, qualified top of there group though under a very weak group there fans will seriously be hoping that there compact playing and highly defensive side can go some step better than their stint in 2010. Ecuador finished ahead of team that have Luis Suarez and co for their third world cup final and definitely will be in with a shout in this group consisting of France and Honduras. The Ecuadorians play counter attacking football with great wing play relying heavily on fast paste wingers and a lot of power up front. France qualified through a very lucky and tensed play-off win vs Ukraine in the second leg, but playing in a group that has Spain did not actually help their course but there is certainly hope of a progress in from this group to avoid South Africa 2010, debacle. Honestly I see no way out for Honduras except if we are going in for a massive melt down from the rest members of the group, they may end up being the whipping boys in the group.

Managers:

Switzerland – Ottmar Hitzfeld

Ecuador – Reinaldo Reuda

France – Didier Deschamps

Honduras – Luis Fernando Suarez

Star Players: Xherdan Shaqiri (Switzerland & Bayern Munich), Antonio Valencia (Ecuador & Man United), Frank Ribery (France & Bayern Munich), Emilio Izaguirre (Honduras & Celtic).

Hitman: Gokhan Inler (Switzerland & Napoli), Felipe Caicedo (Ecuador), Karim Benzema (France & Real Madrid), Wilson Palacios (Honduras & Stoke City).

Title: NIGERIA’S SUPER EAGLE ON A REVENGE MISSION AGAINST LIONEL MESSI’ ARGENTINA.

Group F

Argentina, Bosnia–Herzegovina, Iran, Nigeria.

Analysis:

The African champions will be hoping for a better outing this time and the giant of Africa will be thinking what is with FIFA and pairing them with Argentina, maybe it will be a proper time to show the Argentines how far they have come since last four years and probably put one past the South Americans with their arrays of stars. There is no doubt they are the favourite from this group to progress, some may even go as far as saying it is Argentina and the rest from Group-F. Lionel Messi comes to mind, but this side have massive talent scattered across the pitch. Lost only twice, but topped their group with two point ahead of Radamel Falcao’s Colombia and Uruguay, that is not to say, that they are without flaw, with a shambolic defence marshaled by Masharano of Barcelona and a very shaky goalie. The world will be looking and some will be rooting for the debutant, Bosnia–Herzegovina, who will be counting on their 6ft-plus-striker, Edin Dzeko. He’s major strength is on the air, so opposition teams will do well to avoid the crosses from the wings. Carlos Queiroz the coach of Iran, one time assistant manager to the legendary Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United, will have to dig very deep into his many years of experience at both club and country level if Iran is to get out of this group. But am afraid this may not be enough to save the predominantly domestic-based players from gathering point for the rest member of the pack.

Managers:

Argentina – Alejandro Sabella

Bosnia–Herzegovina – Safet Susic

Iran – Carlos Queiroz

Nigeria – Stephen Keshi

Star Players: Lionel Massi (Argentina & Barcelona), Miralem Pjanic (Bosnia–Herzegovina & Basel), Ashkan Dejagah (Iran & Fulham) Obi Mikel (Nigeria & Chelsea).

Hitman: Sergio Aguero (Argentina & Man City), Edin Dzeko (Bosnia–Herzegovina & Man City), Javad Nekounam (Iran), Victor Moses (Nigeria & Liverpool).

Title: A POTENTIAL BANANA PEAL AWAITS RONALDO IN GROUP G OF FIFA WORLD CUP DRAW.

Group G

Germany, Portugal, Ghana, United States.

Analysis:

what more can say of this group and the caliber of teams in it -wonderful. It promises to be an epic encounter between Germany and Portugal. All eyes will be on the formal world footballer of the year, Cristiano Ronaldo and maybe could wear the title at the time of this encounter. The responsibility of carrying the team past the group stage and probably beyond will be resting on his shoulders and few other member of the gang. Germany have an impressive pedigree in world stage and have talents over the places, the coach will definitely be spoilt for choice on who to unleash on other nations, in fact they are expected to feature prominently in Brazil. Ghana, another African nation will ruing their luck with USA. One thing for certain is that the black stars have shown that they are minnows when it comes to playing other team bearing in mind their near perfect outing in South Africa 2010, if not for the infamous Luis Suarez, taking one for the team by turning him self into a goal keeper on the day against Uruguay, Kwesi Appiah’s men will be hoping for such Cinderella run at Brazil. Klinsmann will be causing their luck this time and at the same be thinking aside Germany other members of the group are beatable.

Managers:

Germany – Joachim Loew

Portugal – Paulo Bento

Ghana –  Kwesi Appiah.

USA – Jurgen Klinsmann

Star Players: Mario Goetze (Germany & Bayern Munich), Nani (Portugal & Man United), Andre Ayew (Ghana & Marseilles), Tim Howard (USA & Everton).

Htiman: Thomas Mueller (Germany & Bayern Munich), Ronaldo (Portugal & Real Madrid), Kevin-Prince Boateng (Ghana & shalke04), Michael Bradley (USA).

Group H

Belgium, Algeria, Russia, and South Korea.

Analysis:

This emerging power house in football, Belgium is a toast of many and a surprise package, they cruised through there qualifiers without a single loss. Belgium parade a host of well known names in Europe, it is just a matter of time for them to take the world by storm. In fact they are expected to cause a major off-set by probably winning it. The likes of Vincent Kompany, Marouane Fellani, Christian Benteke, Eden Hazard, Romelu Lukaku etc. they are indeed optimistic. No offence, Algeria is only making up  Group H. Even there qualification from the play-off is something of a miracle to say the least, though they could cause some trouble to other teams with greater ambition. The coach of Russia, Fabio Capello’s antecedent is not in question, but he will have to call upon it overtime to navigate through and guiding his relatively young side will not be an easy task against Belgium Algeria and a South Korean side known fro their energy and non-stop running. The South Korean side attack like bees continuous running for the full ninety minutes, defending in packs and attacking in packs is something  every member of this team will have to contend with if they are to come out tops at the end of the day.

Managers:

Belgium – Marc Wilmots

Algeria – Vahid Halilhodzic

Russia – Fabio Capello

South Korea – Hong Myung -Bo

Star Players: Eden Hazard (Belgium & Chelsea), Ishak Belfodil (Algeria & Inter Milan), Igor Akinfeev (Russia & CSKA Moscow), Son Heung-Min (South Korea & Bayer Leverkusen).

Hitman: Romelu Lukaku (Belgium & Everton), Sofiane Feghouli (Algeria & Valencia), Alesei Berezutski (Russia & CSKA Moscow).