Brazil and Croatia will kick issues off in Sao Paolo on June 12—for Group A and for all the 2014 World Cup. Samuel Mintz supplies a fast snapshot of the important thing matchups, the American angles, and extra.
BY
Samuel Mintz
Posted
December 18, 2013
2:53 PM
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Group A
Brazil, Croatia, Mexico, Cameroon
Sadly for the opposite three contenders in Group A, there’ll solely be one title on everybody’s lips when the actions begins: Brasilia. You possibly can wager that the hosts shall be prepared to maneuver previous the media buildup, the stadium development points, and the general public protests to allow them to get on with the competitors. With the primary match of the event and a few its most fascinating groups, this group shall be on the focus.
Whereas Group A is not essentially one of many hardest teams within the draw, it has the potential for some extraordinarily aggressive video games. And it’s one of many few teams the place all 4 groups stand a great probability of advancing. Brazil are amongst a handful of favorites to contend for the World Cup title, and have a star-studded line up from high to backside. Croatia is a sneaky good staff with a talented and arranged midfield, and it endured a baptism by fireplace within the tough European qualification course of. Mexico shall be determined to avoid wasting face after a disastrous qualification marketing campaign, however with a brand new coach and new look squad, will probably be considerably of a thriller staff come June. Cameroon function a number of worldwide legends in Samuel Eto’o and Alexandre Tune who have been convincing in a 4-1 playoff victory over Tunisia to qualify.
It ought to be an actual dogfight for these high two spots, particularly the second, and every group recreation will really feel like every little thing is on the road. It feels unlucky that two of those groups must go house after solely three video games, as a result of all 4 can be enjoyable to observe within the knockout rounds.
Key Matchups
Brazil vs. Croatia, June 12, Sao Paulo
Should you watch one World Cup recreation (outdoors of the U.S. matches, that’s) make it this one. The whole nation shall be partying, the stadium shall be rocking, and anticipate Brazil to play some completely lovely soccer.
Paulinho vs. Luka Modric
One matchup particularly will standout in that opener: a former Tottenham star towards his alternative. The 2 have strikingly completely different types: Paulinho is a stable defender with a contact of aptitude, and Modric is a difficult creator who can pick lengthy passes.
Brazil vs. Mexico, June 17, Fortaleza
This battle of North American and South American superpowers shall be intriguing to observe, largely as a result of each groups have struggled with identification crises within the latest previous. Till its triumphant victory on this summer season’s Confederations Cup, Brazil had been struggling competitively. Mexico, in the meantime, practically did not qualify for the event, needing a playoff towards New Zealand to seal its spot.
Battle of the midfields, Mexico vs. Croatia, June 23, Recife
In a match that would determine second place within the group, a Croatia midfield packing veteran stars like Luka Modric and Niko Krancjar will go up towards a mysterious Mexican midfield prone to showcase some new expertise.
Samuel Eto’o vs. Croatia again 4
Certainly one of many world-class strikers on show at this event will face an thrilling problem as he goes up towards a talented and arranged again 4 led by former Premier League star Vedran Corluka.
American Angles
There are few issues American soccer followers take pleasure in greater than rooting towards Mexico. All through 2013 we watched with giddy delight as Mexico struggled on the pitch and fought amongst themselves off it. Add that to the truth that there are membership teammates and different skilled crossovers between the Mexican nationwide staff and the U.S. squad, and you’ve got a recipe for extremely engaged American followers.
The U.S. has a historical past with Brazil, too. The 2009 Confederations Cup title was properly throughout the grasp of the Individuals, however a three-goal second half ended these goals for Bob Bradley and co. Extra lately, Brazil thumped the Yanks, 4-1, in an action-packed pleasant earlier this yr.
They Stated It
Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari “We can’t worry too far ahead past the group stage. If you start thinking about the second round you forget about the teams in the first round, which are important. We have worry about these teams first.”
Mexico coach Miguel Herrera “We have three hard opponents. We have to work hard to compete properly but we have to be realistic. It is a hard group and the potential Group B opponents (in the knockout stages) are even harder. But we want to achieve certain aims.”
Croatia coach Niko Kovac “Having been drawn in such a tricky group we shall be delighted to open the World Cup towards the host nation. Little Croatia towards the massive and mighty Brazil shall be fairly a match-up. An enormous motive for my gamers and a really big day for us.”
Cameroon coach Volke Finke “Any staff within the preliminary spherical with Brazil is aware of that it’s greater than only a regular group recreation. You might be enjoying towards the emotion of a complete nation and in a stadium the place because the underdog you actually will not have it straightforward.
Forecast
Brazil are clear favorites to win the group. After that, will probably be a three-way cage brawl for second place. Cameroon lacks the squad depth of the opposite two and, regardless of its star energy, appears prone to end final. It’s exhausting to choose between Mexico and Croatia, however I believe the Europeans eke it based mostly on type and cohesiveness. Whereas El Tri did handle to qualify, Mexico are nonetheless in a dire state and received’t have time to get their group fully again collectively earlier than June.
1. Brazil
2. Croatia
3. Mexico
4. Cameroon
What do you consider Group A? Which two groups will advance? Give us your take within the Feedback beneath.
