World Cup Brazil 2014

I haven’t worked this hard in an editorial sense in a while. I have to admit I was intimidated by the

volume of work it would take to comb through these World Cup groups and the time I had to do it in. I’m a working man. I have things to do. Although football is always on my mind its what I dream about and it’s something that I want to be apart of for the rest of my life. However things have to balance itself out if I’m to make a crack at this sports writer thing and that means doing regular old fashion work at my many jobs. I didn’t think I could make the World Cup deadline given my late start but I did. Now are they some grammatical errors I’m committing? Probably. Is my sentence structure on point? Of course not. Despite my shortcomings. I know I am here for a fight and I am determined to leave a mark as a soccer writer as tiny as it maybe. I have weird confidence that comes from an odd place. Simply I back myself even when I’m not doing so well. Group H is the final pot, I guess I will be previewing and for the teams in it this will be a big moment for them because in my opinion each one of them need to prove a point. For one reason or another.

Group H

Algeria
Belgium
Russia
South Korea

Algeria

Last World Cup I made myself look rather silly by hyping up Algeria. This time I am not going to be that foolish. I have a kind of weird adoration for North African teams. I can’t put a finger on it but there is something about them. I don’t know if it’s style of play or what but I do fancy them. Enough about that let’s talk about Algeria for a while. The Algerians after CAF group play landed a fixture against a promising Burkina Faso. Algeria loss 3-2 in Burkina Faso and needed to win and not concede to advance to the World Cup. In Algiers the home side came away with a cagey 1-0 win. A result that sealed their right to play in Brazil. “Les Fennecs,” are coached by Bosnian Vahid Halilhodzic the man that oversaw Côte d’Ivoire’s preparation for the 2010 World Cup but didn’t get to take them to the tournament due to his  unjustified firing. A decision that was none his fault. He led the Ivory Coast to a tidy unbeaten streak in his tenure and Algeria will hope he will bring some solidity to their program. Some of the key players for Halilhodzic are captain Madjid Bougherra, Hassan Yebda, Djamel Mesbah and Sofiane Feghouli. To me, Algeria has the feel of Egypt a few years ago. There is a defiance about them that cannot be underestimated and they are playing a better brand of football. Let’s see if they can put it all together this summer

Key Man- Sofiane Feghouli is the best Algeria has. He’s quick, nice acceleration and is good on the ball. He can create a fair bit of chances and if the Algerians are suppose to get anything out of this group he is going to have  manufacture a lot.

Belgium

It’s funny. For a guy who works in a basketball arena I run into a lot of conversations about football. One day before the World Cup I had the pleasure of meeting an elderly Belgian couple. Their English was bad and I gathered they were from the French side of Belgium. I was right but that didn’t make my French any better. I helped them out giving some directions. After that the husband ask me. “Do you like soccer?” I smiled and said I know a little then his wife said you like the “Red Devils? You know they will win the World Cup!” I said if Marc Wilmots were playing then you would have a shot. They both looked at me and said. “You know a lot. You tricked us. Why do you work in a basketball store?” I just smiled and said thank you.” That made my day and it meant a lot to me as silly as it sounds. Before they left the lady waved at me and said the whole of Belgium are hopeful they win the World Cup. I didn’t have the heart to tell a woman who looks as old as my own grandmother to dream on. I don’t think Belgium will win the World Cup but they will make noise. The Lowlanders were casted in UEFA’s Group A. Putting Scotland, Wales Serbia, Croatia and Macedonia all to heel as they won the group. In recent times there has been an explosion of talent coming through halls of Brussels. This current crop of Belgium players can call themselves the second Golden Generation. Eden Hazard, Vincent Kompany, Romelu Lukaku, Christian Benteke, Axel Witsel, Thibaut Courtois and Jan Verthongen are some of names all tied to Belgium. The crazy thing about that, is the list I just rattled of is just a fraction of the names. There is so much more. Marc Wilmots finds himself in a odd situation as the coach of this national team. Belgium is probably the most talented team on an individual level so that should equate to World Cup success. He has to do well here but my question is what is a job well done for Belgium? Does it have to be the cup itself? Does have to be stellar play or an infiltration into the latter stages of the tournament? I don’t know but I do know they can’t win the World Cup. What ever they achieve in Brazil is important because Belgium is a team for the future.

Key Man- Eden Hazard is one of the darlings of European football and I will go on record and say he can be the greatest player in world in a few years.

Russia

     








I am very excited for Russia at this World Cup. I see them as a dark horse. I haven’t heard anyone talking about them and they are dangerous which is confusing. They came out of UEFA's Group F as the winners just above Portugal. They are coached by Italian mastermind Fabio Capello and they have the young talisman Alan Dzagoev. The last Euros showed me something. Russia had an identity issue. In the past they didn’t know what their game was. Under Capello, Russia will be doing a lot of kicking with out the ball and a lot of tidy smooth offensive plays with it. The Europeans will be sturdy defenders and they will bully the opposition. My only fear I have is Russia’s psyche. For years I don’t think Russia saw themselves as a big boy in football. Yes Russia is a big country literally but in a football sense I don’t think the Russian people thought so or the players. Capello is trying to cultivate a culture of superiority. Russia has to start seeing themselves a top team and they should. Their performances and stats say that they are. I hope Capello can get these guys mentally sharp for this tourney because I of believe Russia is a sleeper.

Key Man- He was awesome in the Euro 2012 and I think he will do well this summer. Alan Dzagoev is a top player and can be a difference make for the Europeans.

South Korea

   







I love South Korea’s team crest by the way. That white tiger looks pretty cool. I just thought I would share that before I delve into South Korea’s chances at this year’s World Cup. So what do the Asians have? Well they can be assured that they have been here before. This will be the Koreans 9th World Cup so they shouldn't feel too much pressure. South Korea also has a young energetic team. When you scroll through the Korean team all your seeing is a bunch of 24 year olds sprinkled with some 21s and the odd 27 year old hanging around . That has to count for something when your running through the midday South American sun. The Koreans also have the skills of a very promising young player in Son Heung-Min. I usually like to give a little snippet of each team’s key player later on in the post but Son’s abilities warrants an early preview. This kid is lighting up the German Bundesliga. He is mobile and a big big big goal threat. South Korea will depend heavily on him and the goalkeeping prowess of veteran Jung Sung-ryong. Mr. Hong Myung-bo will be coaching the Korean team at this World Cup and should take great confidence from his side’s qualifying campaign. South Korea advanced out of the AFC by finishing second out of Group A just behind Iran. The chances of South Korea advancing out of this group are slim. Belgium are too good and Russia will be too strong. The only points I can see Korea getting is against Algeria and even then I don’t think can peg back the North Africans. So what do we have here? We have a solid side. In a fair group. That will play well but will come up short.

Key Man- Son Heung-Min is a special player and he will come up against two stout defenses in Russia and Belgium. it will be a challenge but I am looking forward in seeing him attacking it.

Predictions- Russia 1st, Belgium 2nd, South Korea 3rd and Algeria 4th. I’m going for the Russians I think Capello will have them primed for this moment. Belgium are awesome but I do see some kinks and injuries are swirling around in their camp right now. South Korea will pick a few points. The Algerians won’t. 

Algeria