Admittedly I feel like I’m a little bit behind schedule with my World Cup previews. I’ve got about two weeks before the big dance and as I write I literally just forced out Group A out of chasms of mind. If I didn’t know me I would be really worried about not cranking out the other articles but as a guy who use to pump out seven stories on a day on a difficult topic like classical music, this is nothing. Now that I have stroked my ego. Here is the hope I don’t fall flat on my face and trip over my grammar. It’s all about getting better while trying to hold onto the confidence you gained from past experiences. I see four teams in Group B who would do well to follow this mantra. Each one of them have specific targets in mind and clear cut ideas on what a positive result looks like. I don’t know if I have anymore build up left in me or if I have the skill to add a few more lines to this little intro without revealing the members of Group B... I’m talking like if you guys are actually waiting on me to tell you who is in the group. Anyone with a computer or can read already knows who the teams are but you have to admit my stall tactics weren’t that bad.
Group B
Australia
Chile
Netherlands
Spain
Australia
I love how Group B alphabetically goes from weakest to strongest and it makes my job easier. I don’t have to my rack brain about predictions it’s perfect. Australia comes into this tournament off the back of a strong qualifying campaign. In the first phase of qualifying the “Socceroos,” were placed in Group D alongside Saudi Arabia, Thailand and Oman. The Australians easily bested the group and moved on to the final round of Asian qualifying. This time Australia faced stiffer opposition when they were deposited in AFC’s Group B alongside Japan, Iraq, Jordan and Oman yet again. The Australians finished behind Japan thus qualifying automatically for the World Cup. Let me start off by saying what has impressed me most about Australia. Firstly, jumping federations is not any easy thing. Since their move into the AFC from Oceania Australia has been nothing short of amazing, giving Japan and South Korea a real test. Secondly, this will be Australia’s fourth World Cup and for a country that prioritizes rugby and Aussie Rules Football that is pretty impressive. The state has done well to become a regional power in Asia but here is where my praise ends. I look at squad for the Australians and I’m squinting to find quality. I don’t think Tommy Oar , Tim Cahill and Mile Jedinak will get them anywhere. Cahill probably the greatest Aussie to play the game, when the World Cup kicks off will be in his mid 30s and has been unable to stay fit at length for his club New York Red Bulls in recent times. I can’t see them not getting steamrolled by the Dutch and Spanish and taken to task by the Chileans. The talent Australia is pushing out is getting better but they are seriously outclassed in this venture.
Key Man- Mile Jedinak will have a lot to do because his side will be facing some of the world’s best attackers. His communication and organizational skills will be very important. Jedinak is coming of a solid season with Crystal Palace and will need his form to continue.
Chile
Chile are a very interesting team. You never really here about their players but you know they can play. The first Chilean player I ever heard about was Marcelo Salas and what a player he was. I think because they are in South America and they have to put up with the Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and teams like Paraguay and Ecuador they always seem like a second thought. Which shouldn’t be the case when you look at the fact that this will be their ninth time at a World Cup. In 1962 when they hosted the tournament they even finished third. So maybe it’s me who pushes them at the back of the mind. Qualifying out of CONMEBOL is really not that easy but somehow the Chileans have manage to do it time in and time out. This campaign the Chileans finished third in South American qualifying behind Colombia and Argentina and just above Ecuador and Uruguay. It is worth noting that the Argentines won the group on 32 points while Chile rounded up 28 points. Being off the top by just four points isn’t bad. Chile’s coach Jorge Sampaoli will heavily depend on his star men, Alexis Sanchez and Arturo Vidal. With the latter in a race to fit according to the latest reports. Not to be forgotten are the likes of goalkeeper and captain Claudio Bravo as well as Gary Medel, players who Sampaoli will rely on also. Chile has to look play the role of spoiler going into this group. They have to hope either Spain or Holland slip up so they can sneak in. Now will that happen? Most likely not but they have to play well and pray to lady luck.
Key Man- The guy for Chile is Arturo Vidal. All reports are saying he is in a race against time to be fit for the tournament after undergoing surgery. If he is well there is no doubt that the play will be ran through him.
Netherlands
I think the Netherlands and Portugal are the only two major European nations not to have won the World Cup. The Dutch have come close. Like loss in the final three times close. The most recent disappointment was in South Africa in 2010 when they were edged out by Spain. This will be the tenth time Holland will be at the World Cup finals. They got to Brazil by topping a relatively easy Group D in the UEFA qualifying zone. The Dutchmen brushed aside Turkey, Romania, Hungary, Estonia and Andorra like nothing and finished nine points clear of the closest challenger. I don’t know what do say about the Netherlands really. They are a wonderful offensive side with a style of play that is world renown. Players like Robin van Persie, Arjen Robben and Wesley Sneijder have been here before and they will look to bring along the likes of youngsters Memphis Depay and Jordy Clasie. All in all the Dutch has a sweet mixture of youth and experience a template that has a proven track record. Some pundits say that the defenders in the Netherlands squad are lacking but I say let the youngsters play and see what they can do. This could be Holland’s year.
Key Man- Arjen Robben is that guy for me. His past few years have been electrifying. There was a knock on him for scuffing good opportunities but those days are long gone. The titles he won with Bayern München has definitely gave him a wonderful confidence.
Spain
Trying to capture it’s second consecutive World Cup title, Spain will be favorites to lift the trophy again. Coached by the excellent Vincente Del Bosque the Spanish waltzed into their 14th World Cup when won Group I. A group that boasted a classy France and the makeweights Finland, Belarus and Georgia. I think this maybe my shortest team preview simply because Spain is so deep in all spots on the field. The main sub plot about the team is the fitness of their naturalized forward Diego Costa. Will he make it to Rio? As I write it’s too earlier to tell but right now there is a concern. To call names would be silly here. Spain has such a deep, deep, deep squad full of world beaters. Although I have my own favorites to win the tournament, let’s be honest Spain is probably going to come along and just win it again. I don’t see any weakness and now they have a champion’s mindset. I don’t see why they shouldn’t go all the way again.
Key Man- Finding the key man for Spain is really hard. As I said in the above stanza there is no weakness in the Spanish team but one man I do like is Sergio Ramos. Not the most sexiest pick but he has put in the work to merit my choice.
Predictions- No doubt that there will a one-two punch when it comes to this group. Spain and the Netherlands in that order. These two are the rich uncles who you always hear about from your mom whom you never met because they are always off doing miracles. Like swimming with sharks in Tortola. My uncle actually did that once...Chile, I think they will be stylish and competitive but both of those thing won’t get you pass the group stage. Again my thoughts on Australia has not changed over four years. Thanks for the effort, the color and spirit and most of all thanks for coming.
Spain
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