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2014 sees the World Cup returning to South America for the first time since
1978, when a Mario Kempes inspired Argentina saw off the Netherlands, keeping up
the record that only South American teams have ever won the tournament when it's
been held there. So will 2014 be any different ? Will any of the big European
nations, including the holders Spain, be able to do what no other team has
managed in the past ? Or does any other continent have the strength to see off
the challenge from a strong South American group ?
We'll start our review with the South American nations, and who else could
we begin with, but the hosts Brazil. Rewind 18 months and they looked like
they'd be struggling, but the appointment of 'Big Phil' Scolari has been
inspired, and he's brought a belief to the team that was previously missing.
Last years 3:0 demolition of Spain in the Confederations Cup final shocked many
experts, and all of a sudden the Brazilians have expectations on them. Whilst
you can't argue with that scoreline, we still wonder if Brazil have the
firepower to win such a long tournament. Neymar is expected to conjure up the
magic, but they're relying on Fred to come up with the goals. No disrepect to
Fred, but the last two Brazilian teams to win the World Cup, in 2002 and 1994,
could count on the likes of Ronaldo and Romario to lead the front line, two
genuine legends of the game.
Argentina, the host nation's big rivals, are in with a great chance too.
Any team featuring Lionel Messi is going to be in with a shout, but when you add
to that the likes of Sergio Aguero, Gonzalo Higuain and Ezequiel Lavezzi, then
it's a team with one of the best sets of attacking options in the tournament.
Likewise, Uruguay's attacking trio of Luis Suarez, Edinson Cavani and Diegoi
Forlan is about as potent as it can get, and is capable of scoring goals against
any team in the world, although whethere the rest of their team is strong enough
is open to debate.
Chile were one of the most exciting teams at the 2010 World Cup and
recentky gave England the run around at Wembley, whilst if Colombia can get
Radamel Falcao fit then they could cause an upset or two. So of all the South
American teams, only Ecuador look like they might struggle to get out of the
group stages, with all the others more than capable of reaching the latter
stages.
So with such a strong South American contingent, where will the main
challenge come from ? Well, the big guns from Europe is the obvious answer. And
where else could you look for a team of Champions than Spain. Having won the
last World Cup, sandwiched between two European Championship triumphs, this is a
team that not only knows how to play fantastic football, but that knows how to
win. So whilst Messi and Ronaldo get all the annual plaudits and player of the
year titles, the likes of Xavi and Iniesta go about winning all the major
trophies. So will they be as string this year ? Well, worryingly for the rest of
the world, yes. Not only are most of the old guard still there but talented
youngsters such as Koke and Thiago Alcantara have joined the ranks. Not only
that, but they've managed to grab a prolific striker, Diego Costa, from under
the noses of the host nation, with the Atletico Madrid forward opting to play
for Spain, rather than the nation of his birth.
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Of the other teams, Germany have a fantastic team, with some great options
all over the pitch. The Italians can never be discounted at tournaments, whilst
Portugal, with Ronaldo in the team will be dangerous, and Belgium, with such an
array of talent will be amongst everyone's list of dark horses.
And England ? Well, maybe the best thing to say is that this time, for
once, no-one is really expecting anything, and just even getting out of the
group is going to be a bonus.
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发表于 2016-7-10 18:04:18