Suhaas Posted May 16, 2014 Report Posted May 16, 2014 GROUP A ANALYSIS - BRAZIL Statistically, one in three hosts win the World Cup - and you would hardly bet against Brazil next summer. They have excellent players, of course, albeit without the proliferation of world-class stars that have graced the very best Brazilian sides. Only Neymar really stands out.But their performances in winning the Confederations Cup this summer were better than anticipated and if they can maintain the fabulous work ethic they demonstrated in that tournament then they have a real chance. Brazil's typical starting XI How do they play? Style & formation: The flicks and tricks remain second nature, but this Brazil side is also resilient and well organised, moulded by the pragmatism of 2002-World Cup winning coach Luiz Felipe Scolari.They press the opposition high up the pitch, while midfielder Luiz Gustavo acts as an auxiliary third centre back - allowing the full-backs and the likes of centre-back David Luiz to venture forward.Brazil usually adopt a 4-2-3-1 formation and are not afraid to be direct, often seeking out the flamboyant Neymar on the left with long balls from the back. Strengths: Take your pick. Coach Scolari has the required major tournament know-how, the players are talented and well-drilled, a passionate home crowd will surely inspire the team again, as they did at the Confederations Cup in the summer, and even the iconic yellow jerseys can intimidate the opposition. Weaknesses: There aren't many, but the paucity of centre forward options is a potential concern. First-choice Fred has been injured this season and Diego Costa has opted to represent Spain, so Robinho was recalled last month after a two-year absence to operate as a 'false nine'. Key player Believe the hype; Neymar is pivotal to Brazil. Full of energy and deft touches, and able to dribble at incredible speed, he is the player most capable of changing a game for Scolari's side. The 21-year-old World Cup poster boy - who joined Barcelona in the summer for £48.6m - appears unfazed by the public expectation, scoring 10 times in his last 15 caps. One to watch Scolari says that 20-year-old Bernard "has joy in his legs". Direct, quick, and a bundle of energy, the 5ft 5in winger made his full debut for Brazil in September and scored his first goal last month against Honduras. Once considered too small for professional football, Shakhtar Donetsk paid £21.5m for him this summer. The boss Reappointed in November last year, 2002 World Cup-winning coach Luiz Felipe Scolari has recovered from a poor start to his second spell in charge to shape Brazil into a side he is "100% sure…will be the champion" next summer. The 65-year-old previously led Portugal to the Euro 2004 final, 2006 World Cup semi-finals and last eight at Euro 2008. How they qualified As hosts. World Cup record Brazil are the only nation to have played at every World Cup, winning the competition a record five times, latterly in 2002. Fifa ranking: 10
Suhaas Posted May 16, 2014 Report Posted May 16, 2014 GROUP A ANALYSIS - CROATIA Croatia lack the depth of talent associated with their golden generation of the late 1990s but they remain capable of bloodying the nose of most sides. Key player Mario Mandzukic, 27, has averaged better than a goal every other game in 2013, helping Bayern Munich win a historic treble and top scoring for Croatia with four goals in qualifying. Munich coach Pep Guardiola says "there is no one better in the air in the world" than the striker, but his red card for a studs-up lunge in the play-off win over Iceland could limit his world cup involvement. The boss Former Croatia captain Niko Kovac was appointed head coach in October after Igor Stimac resigned. He guided his country though a two-legged play-off against Iceland and will be heading to his third World Cup, having played in 2002 and 2006. Kovac had only become Croatia's Under-21 boss in January. How they qualified Croatia were level on points with group leaders Belgium after earning five wins and a draw from six matches, but they only managed one point from the remaining four fixtures before beating iceland in a play-off. World Cup record Croatia memorably finished third on their World Cup debut in 1998 but they failed to progress from the group stage in 2002 and 2006. Fifa ranking: 16
Suhaas Posted May 16, 2014 Report Posted May 16, 2014 GROUP A ANALYSIS - MEXICO Mexico used 47 players and four coaches in a turbulent qualifying campaign which left a host of questions unanswered. There is undoubtedly talent within their playing pool, but the 2012 Olympic gold medallists have little time left to find a winning formula. Key player Predicting their line-up is pure guesswork at this early stage, but Oribe Peralta top scored in qualifying with 10 goals, including five in the play-off against New Zealand. The Santos Laguna striker was an overage player at the 2012 Olympics and scored both goals as Mexico beat Brazil to win gold. The boss Miguel Herrera became Mexico's fourth coach in six weeks when he was appointed in October to take charge for the play-off against New Zealand. Nicknamed 'The Louse', he is also the coach of Club America, and boldly opted to call-up only domestic-based players against the All Whites. This week it was confirmed he will remain in charge for the World Cup. How they qualified By the skin of their teeth. Only a late comeback from the USA against Panama saved El Tri from elimination in the final round of Concacaf qualifiers. That set-up a two-legged tie against New Zealand which they won 9-3 on aggregate. World Cup record This will be their 15th appearance - a tally bettered only by Argentina, Brazil, Germany and Italy. Quarter-finalists on home soil in 1970 and 1986, they have bowed out at the last-16 stage in the last five tournaments. Fifa ranking: 20
Suhaas Posted May 16, 2014 Report Posted May 16, 2014 GROUP A ANALYSIS - CAMEROON It is a long time since Cameroon lived up to their nickname of Indomitable Lions. They have failed to qualify for the last two Africa Cup of Nations amid player friction and discontent with Cameroon's football federation, which was briefly suspended by FIFA in july because of government interference. The national side is top heavy with defensive midfielders but lacking in creativity, to the extent that Barcelona's Alex Song has been deployed in an unfamiliar role as playmaker. Key player Samuel Eto'o is the captain and a four-time African Footballer of the Year but it is off the field that his influence could be most telling. The Chelsea forward, 32, briefly retired from international football in September in the wake of a dispute with coach Volker Finke, and in the latest fallout with team-mates he then claimed there was a "plot" among them not to pass him the ball in the World Cup play-off against Tunisia. The boss Little-known German Volker Finke was named in May as Cameroon's seventh permanent or interim coach in four years. The 65-year-old was in charge at Freiburg for 16 years from 1991, making him the longest-serving manager in German league history. How they qualified They received a World Cup lifeline in June when Fifa awarded them a 3-0 win v Togo, who had fielded a suspended player. Cameroon had lost the match 2-0 but the ruling put them top of their group. They then beat Tunisia 4-1 in their play-off. World Cup record Brazil will be their seventh World Cup - an African record - but Cameroon have only won one match in four editions since reaching the quarter-finals in 1990. The nadir came in 2010 when they lost all three group matches for the first time. Fifa ranking: 51
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