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coring 15 times to become

the World Cups all-time
top goalscorer was easy
I mean, thats when
comparing it with
co-ordinating footballs main event
in my beloved home nation. Boy, what
a challenge. But I am proud to say that
all the effort was denitely worth it.
As a member of the Local Organising
Committee of the 2014 FIFA World Cup,
I had the chance to travel around the
country and witness how hard thousands
of Brazilians have worked to deliver what
will be the best tournament ever.
Brazil will be proud to host its second
World Cup. This is the tournament
weve all been waiting for. This is the
tournament that has made us Brazilians
who we are. Those who come here
between June 12 and July 13 will
understand why football for us is more
than ve stars on a shirt; it is a lifestyle.
I have always loved being an
ambassador for my country. And I was
never intimidated by the pressure of the
World Cup. Bringing the two together, no

doubt, is an unparalleled joy for me.

That is probably why I am feeling the
same anticipation I felt as a player.
After all, these nals are for Brazil
as a country. The World Cup gives us
a chance to show that we are not only
passionate about sport, but that we
are a strong economy, a leader in
biofuels, a huge exporter of jets, meat,
soybeans and many other things.
As a footballer, Ive been privileged
to go everywhere. Those who come to
Brazil will have an amazing time,
wherever they visit: the beaches of
the north-east, the Amazon River, or
the mix between sea and mountain
in Rio de Janeiro. Then theres the
multiculturalism of Sao Paulo, the intimate
atmosphere of Belo Horizonte, the Brasilia
architecture they are all uniquely Brazilian.
Cuiaba is the entrance to the amazing wetlands
and Europe is denitely present in Curitiba and
Porto Alegre with a Brazilian touch, of course.
I can say the last year has been thrilling. As
an ofcial, I learned how demanding Brazilians
can be off the pitch, too. Yes, we have problems
in Brazil and we dont hide them from anyone.

Above With eight

goals and a winners
medal, no wonder
2002 is Ronnies top
World Cup memory

People who took to the streets last year

were demanding nothing more than
what should be everyones right: quality
healthcare and education. We have
come a long way and still have more
to achieve. The search for that must
continue after the end of the World Cup.
When I think of overcoming
challenges, I think of the Selecao.
Be sure, our players dont win games
only because of skill. They give it all.
Thats even more notorious when the
tournament we love the most is around
the corner. Our best men always
transform difculties into success.
The rst World Cup I remember well
is 1986. I was just a kid, but I had my idols:
Zico and Careca. Brazil didnt win, but they
inspired me with their tenacity, their heart.
When I scored on the streets of the suburbs of
Rio de Janeiro, Id pretend I was one of them.
Eight years later, aged 17, I was in the
winning squad at the 1994 World Cup. It was
like going to university, with Bebeto, Romario
some professors! Although I didnt play
a minute, I could see how World Cups matter.
Landing back in Brazil, it was Carnival in July.

Editor David Hall Deputy editor Hitesh Ratna Production editor Charlie Ghagan Sub-editors Chris McDonald, Tim Barnett, Louis Massarella, Huw Davies Design Anthony Moore, Tom Chase,
David Robinson, Matt Fasken, Mark Wheeler Words/interviews Mauricio Savarese, Alex Holiga, Martin Langer, Sam Crocker, Tim Stannard, Arthur Renard, Martin Mazur, Alison Ratcliffe, Steve
Tsitsonis, John Duerden, Salim Masoud Said, Matt Barker, Paul Knott, Philippe Auclair, Andy Mitten, Jonathan Fadugba, Colin Udoh, Uli Hesse, Nuno Catarino, Gary Al-Smith, Chris Mayer, Maher
Mezahi, Nick Ames, Nick Moore, Ben Welch, Marcus Alves, Oliver Trust, Tom Wiggins, James Maw, Michael Cox, Martin Harasimowicz, Andy Brassell, Andy Greeves Pictures Jeff Beasley, Matthew Beedle Brand director Hugh
Sleight Publishing manager Ollie Stretton Production controller Roxy Agius Repro John Munday/FMG Licensing account manager Luc Higham Thanks to Paul Beiboer, Jonny Lindsay, Jerry Khan. Haymarket Media 2014

4 World Cup Preview 2014 FourFourTwo.com

WorldMags.net

It was even more special in 2002. Feeling the

passion of your people after scoring goals that
end in a World Cup title is unique. Most people
will remember me for that nal against
Germany, I am sure. But helping in the
organisation of Brazil 2014 is just as important.
I hope my friend Neymar leads Brazil to our
sixth World Cup title. You will still hear people
talking about Uruguay in 1950 but, as Ive said
before, Germany are the team Id like Brazil to
meet in the nal. But organising a demanding
tournament is already a big win for us.
My youngest son was just two when Brazil
won in 2002. My other three kids werent even
born. I want them to be proud of their father
for something hes doing now, too. The legacy
this World Cup will leave for them is a more
modern, structured, international Brazil.
I admit I have another wish for this World
Cup. You know I like the feeling of being the
all-time top scorer. Well, Miroslav Klose is
a nice guy, but he is close to my record and
I hope he doesnt do it! Seriously, though, if he
does, thats ne. Records exist to be broken.
Klose, like everyone else, will denitely
be welcome to the land of football.
See you in Brazil!

WorldMags.net

feel like a young man of 15,

said 85-year-old Nelson
Mandela when South Africa
were awarded the right to host
the 2010 World Cup. And in a way, the
greatest football show on earth brings
out the schoolkid in all of us. Which
was your rst World Cup? Chances
are that was the year you fell in
love with the beautiful game.
Its amazing, really, given the World
Cup was only set up by Jules Rimet & Co.
in response to football being dropped
from the Olympics on grounds of
professionalism. Uruguay hosted the
inaugural competition having won gold
at the 1928 Olympics. Little did FIFAs
third president know, hed created
a monster. A big, beautiful monster.
Thirteen countries competed in 1930
(above right); 204 entered qualifying for
2014. The World Cup wasnt televised until
1954; over 700 million will tune in for this
years nal. Held exclusively in Europe and
the Americas until 2002, the World Cup is
now one continent away from competing
the set (and no, we dont count Antarctica).
The greatest players throughout history
are often judged by their World Cup
performances even those who missed out.
Mention Alfredo di Stefano, Ryan Giggs or
Georges Best and Weah, and before long
youll be drawing up an XI of legends that
never graced the biggest stage of all.
Those who did compete will testify to the
mysterious powers of the World Cup. Where
else would you nd a Zairian running out of
a defensive wall to launch the ball into orbit
before the ref could even blow his whistle,
a softly spoken Frenchman headbutting an
opponent in the chest as his last act as a
professional or Marco Tardellis vein-bulging
celebration? The World Cup has even seen
two Miracles, those of Bern and Cordoba,
plus a certain other act of God in 1986.
But lets not pretend the World Cup is
only about the football. The tournament

6 World Cup Preview 2014 FourFourTwo.com

Most sent-of players:

has sparked war, murder and numerous

diplomatic incidents. It has been exploited
for political gain by some of historys most
notorious villains. In 1962, it offered hope
when there was none to hosts Chile, where
the most powerful earthquake ever recorded
had destroyed lives and infrastructure.
Mandela said that listening to the
World Cup on the radio was the only joy to
prisoners incarcerated on Robben Island.
Shackled and shamed after World War Two,
victory in 1954 even symbolised (West)
Germanys rebirth as a nation.
But nowhere has the World Cups impact
been felt more deeply than in Brazil. Defeat
to Uruguay in 1950s de facto nal at the
Maracana plunged the entire nation into
mourning, made Brazil change their kit
colour and vow to become better at football
than everybody else. Much, much better.
Even if they fail to triumph on home
soil again heaven forbid the Selecao
will have won a quarter of all World Cups.
Let there be no doubt: this summer, the
latest chapter in an incredible story will
be written in the spiritual home of football.

2
2

Rigobert Song
(Cameroon) (94, 98)
Zinedine Zidane
(France) (98, 06)

67
22

WorldMags.net

Team with the most

wins in World Cup
history: Brazil
Team with the most
defeats in World Cup
history: Mexico
Player with the most
World Cup wins
Cafu

16
(1994-2006)

10-1

Biggest World Cup wins

Hungary 10-1 El Salvador (1982)
Hungary 9-0 South Korea (1954)
Yugoslavia 9-0 Zaire (1974)

And the biggest

losers are...
List of teams that have lost
every match in a World Cup
(Having played at least two games)

Not penalties again!

Team to win most penalty
shootouts in WC history
Germany: 4 out of 4

Team to lose most penalty

shootouts in WC history
Italy: 3 (out of 4)
England: 3 (out of 3)

210

All-time top-scoring
nation: Brazil
YOUNGEST
PLAYER

OLDEST
PLAYER

NORMAN WHITESIDE

ROGER MILLA

Northern Ireland vs Yugoslavia, 1982

Cameroon vs Russia, 1994

17 years, 41 days

42 years, 39 days

WorldMags.net

Mexico, Bolivia, Peru, Belgium (1930)

Mexico (1950)
Mexico, South Korea, Czechoslovakia,
Scotland (1954)
Switzerland (1962)
Switzerland, Bulgaria (1966)
El Salvador, Czechoslovakia (1970)
Zaire, Haiti (1974)
Hungary, Mexico (1978)
Chile, El Salvador, New Zealand (1982)
Iraq, Canada (1986)
USA, Sweden, United Arab Emirates,
South Korea (1990)
Greece, Morocco (1994)
USA, Japan (1998)
Slovenia, China, Saudi Arabia (2002)
Costa Rica, Serbia & Montenegro,
Togo (2006)
Cameroon, North Korea (2010)

Most goals scored by

a team in a single
tournament:
Hungary (in fve
matches, 1954)
MOST WINS

Manager with most

victories at the World
Cup: Helmut Schon
(West Germany,
1966-78)
FourFourTwo.com World Cup Preview 2014 7

CITIES
AND STADIA
Tickets all booked? Plot your Amazon tours, beer
festivals and all-you-can-eat barbecues with
FourFourTwos ground-hopping guide to Brazil 2014...

RIO DE JANEIRO

Population 6.4 million

Famous for... its staggering landscape.
One thing you should do in the city...
Take the glass-walled cable car at Praia
Vermelha and climb to Sugarloaf Mountain.
Have some coffee up there
and admire one of the most
awesome views in the world.
Ground Maracana Stadium
Capacity 76,804
Pub fact When Brazilian
NASA scientist Paulo de
Souza discovered a special
rock in his Mars observation
project, he named it Sugar
Loaf as a tribute to the selfacclaimed Marvellous City.

Main The Maracana

will host seven
games, including
the July 13 nal
Above Take me to
the coffee house!
Below Dune buggies:
unavoidable in Natal

NATAL

Population 850,000
Famous for... its sand dunes.
One thing you should do in the city...
Jump on a buggy for a ride in the middle
of the sand dunes thrills and spills aplenty.
Ground Arena das Dunas
Capacity 42,086
Pub fact Natal was where Coca-Cola was
rst tasted in Brazil, in 1942. As a strategic
city in World War Two, it was crowded with
American troops who brought
the new drink to locals.

MANAUS

SAO PAULO

Population 2 million
Famous for... its rainforest.
One thing you should do in the city...
Watch the meeting of the Black Rivers dark
waters with the sandy colours of the Solimoes
River. The best hostels and hotels have
transportation to get there.
Ground Arena Amazonia (above)
Capacity 42,374
Pub fact The Amazon River pours the
same amount of water into the Atlantic
Ocean in a day as Londons River Thames
ows into the North Sea in a year.

8 World Cup Preview 2014 FourFourTwo.com

Population 11.3 million

Famous for... its multiculturalism.
One thing you should do in the city...
Visit D.O.M, owned by chef Alex Atala and
considered to be the best restaurant in Latin
America. It is frequently among the worlds
top 10 eateries, although its not cheap.
Ground Arena Corinthians
Capacity 65,807
Pub fact Brazils nancial powerhouse is
fuelled by pizza: a million are sold each day,
and etiquette says fork and knife are a must.
Some are unpretentious, others cost up to 30.

WorldMags.net

BRASILIA

Population 2.8 million

Famous for... its unique architecture.
One thing you should do in the city...
See Esplanada dos Ministerios, Brazils futuristic
Whitehall. The Cathedral imitates hands
praying, Museu da Republica is a half-orb and
Congresso Nacional looks like a cereal bowl.
Ground Estadio Nacional Mane Garrincha (left)
Capacity 68,009
Pub fact Brasilia was named capital
city in 1960 after Rio was deemed too
susceptible to riots and foreign navy attack.

SALVADOR

Population 2.9 million

Famous for... its all-year-round street carnival.
One thing you should do in the city...
Go wherever African-inspired cultural groups
Olodum and Ile Aiye are playing. Their
drummers could be on the streets,
in a party or in a proper concert.
Ground Arena Fonte Nova
Capacity 48,747
Pub fact Salvador has more than one
church for each day of the year: 372.

Above The Brasilia

locals seem happy
with the citys shiny
stadium, renovated
at a cost of 385m
Below Dont waste
your time on salad
when in Porto Alegre

FORTALEZA

Population 2.5 million

Famous for... its top seafood.
One thing you should do in the city...
Visit waterpark Beach Park. For 20, you can go
on one of the biggest water slides on Earth.
Ground Estadio Castelao
Capacity 58,704
Pub fact Popular attraction
Ponte dos Ingleses is
a bridge named after the English
company that developed it in 1921.

CURITIBA

Population 1.9 million

Famous for... its European atmosphere.
One thing you should do in the city...
Check out the Botanic Gardens for a nice
family stroll (or a place to irt with Brazilians).
Ground Arena da Baixada
Capacity 41,456
Pub fact If you see a cyclist drenched in oil
wandering around, do not fear. Oilman,
a 54-year-old teacher, is a popular face in
the city and always around in election years.

PORTO ALEGRE

Population 1.5 million

Famous for... Brazils best barbecues.
One thing you should do in the city...
Spend hours at an all-you-can-eat
barbecue. Gauchos know how to
cook the best meat in the world
and they have all kinds of it.
Ground Estadio Beira-Rio
Capacity 48,849
Pub fact It has the best quality of
life and highest literary rate in Brazil.

RECIFE

CUIABA

Population 1.6 million

Famous for... its musical roots.
One thing you should do in the city...
Listen. It has deep respect for Brazils musical
culture yet knows how mix it with international
sounds. Its Manchester with beaches (below).
Ground Arena Pernambuco
Capacity 42,248
Pub fact Recife is nicknamed the Brazilian
Venice for its dependence on 39 bridges
connecting everyone above its two rivers.

Population 600,000
Famous for... its heat.
One thing you should do in the city...
See the Chapada dos Guimaraes National Park.
There are steep cliffs, waterfalls and wildlife
combining the Amazon and Brazilian wetlands.
Ground Arena Pantanal (below)
Capacity 42,968
Pub fact The city is located at the exact
geographical centre of South America
an equidistant 2,000km from both the
Atlantic and Pacic oceans. So maybe
think twice before packing that snorkel.

BELO HORIZONTE

Population 2.5 million

Famous for... its pub culture.
One thing you should do in the city...
Find one of the pub festivals that run all
year long. Some focus on the food, others
on the beer and a few initiate visitors in
sugar cane liquor tasting.
Ground Estadio Mineirao
Capacity 62,547
Pub fact The citys Mercado Municipal is
the best place to buy Brazilian cheese.
Minas Gerais state laws forbid the varieties of
Minas cheese to be sold outside its borders.

WorldMags.net

FourFourTwo.com World Cup Preview 2014 9

KNITTED BOOTS,

VANISHING FOAM &

HOOLIE-DETECTING
SPECTACLES
Whether youre a player, official, fan or even one of
the boys in blue, everyones a winner at the most
cutting-edge World Cup. Check out this tech...
For players

NIKE MAGISTA
FOOTBALL BOOT

Knitwear is the last thing youd expect to nd

in a players suitcase this summer, but thats
exactly what Mario Gotze and Andres Iniesta
will be squeezing into their designer luggage
when they board their ights for Brazil.
There wont be any itchy cardigans or dodgy
scarves, mind, just a pair of Nike Magistas.
Knitted, luminous yellow and made to wrap
around your ankle, this madcap design is built
for the creative playmaker. Nike Flyknit tech
creates a second-skin, sock-like feel, bringing
the foot closer to the ball for enhanced control.
Fears this will bring opponents studs closer
to your metatarsals are allayed by Brio cables,
which are knitted directly into the one-piece
upper for strength akin to a suspension bridge.
The high-top design, or Dynamic Fit collar,
hugs the ankles, locking them into the boot.
Its like wearing a glove. A glove starts at
the wrist, not halfway up the hand, says Phil
McCartney, Nikes VP of sport performance
footwear. You need that transition so you
dont disrupt your bodys natural movement.
According to Iniesta, the design isnt just
a gimmick its the real deal. The t is so
unique that I dont think about it when
Im wearing it, says the Barcelona man.
It allows me to move the way I need to
instinctively and with more condence.

WorldMags.net

For players

NIKE DRI-FIT
TECHNOLOGY

Its June 16. The temperature is 29C with

80 per cent humidity. Germany and Portugal
are about to face each other in Group G.
Ronaldo struts out onto the pitch, hair gel
dripping down his face and sweat patches
creeping from his armpits. Disaster.
Luckily for CR7, this nightmare wont come
true. The new Portugal away kit features
Dri-FIT technology, which pulls moisture away
from the skin to the outside of the garment,
where it evaporates quickly. Mesh panels
and laser-cut ventilation holes also improve
breathability and airow across the skin.
So dont sweat it, Ron!

Is it over
the line?...
...computer
says yes!

For players

NIKE PRO COMBAT

RECOVERY
HYPERTIGHT

Aching limbs and bruised bodies will need a bit

of TLC between matches, so Nike are supplying
their athletes with the Pro Combat Recovery
Hypertight. Created using insight from
athletes, scientists, physiologists and coaches,
as well as data from the Nike Sport Research
Lab, this gure-hugging clobber is designed
to reduce swelling for improved muscle
recovery. The amount of compression
provided by its power grid pattern creates
a smooth transition down the leg, with
compression rmest at the ankle,
where swelling can be most severe.

For referees

GOAL-LINE
TECHNOLOGY

When the Premier League

introduced goal-line tech
ahead of the 2013-14
season, the powers that be
chose Hawk-Eyes system,
a set-up similar to the one used
at Wimbledon and all major cricket
matches. In Brazil, FIFA has decided to
use GoalControls 4D system, which
trains seven cameras on each goal
from high in the stadium. These
cameras track all moving objects
within the connes of the pitch at
500 frames per second, ltering out
everything except the ball and its
position in relation to the goal-line
and sending a signal to the refs
watch if the former crosses the latter.
Its accurate to within 5mm, which
should be just about enough to deny
England the all-important winner
that sends them into the nal, right?

mark the position free-kicks

should be taken from
and the 10-yard distance
required for the opposition
wall. Already used at
the Club World
Cup, MLS and
various domestic
leagues in South
America, the
biodegradable
spray, otherwise
known as Aero Comex
Futline, disappears after
about a minute and can
also be used by ofcials to
fend off angry players
and fans. Presumably.

For armchair fans

ULTRA HD
Often called 4K, Ultra HD
is to hi-def what hi-def
was to standard def, with
approximately four times
as many pixels as a 1080p

Full HD picture. Sony, Samsung,

LG et al make 4K TVs but theyre
not common in living rooms just
yet, with only Netix conrmed
to offer regular 4K content.
Manufacturers hope World Cup
2014 will be the catalyst for its mass
adoption, with Sony lming three
matches the nal, a quarter-nal and
a round of 16 match in Ultra HD to cut
into an ofcial lm for distribution after
the tournament. But for now, the
chances of seeing Franck Ribery in 4K
remain pretty slim. Every cloud, eh?
Top No more
shufing walls or
ghost goals. Yeah!
Above Troublemakers,
youre being watched
Above right What do
you mean, youve
only got a 1080p Full
HD Smart LED TV?
Left and below CR7:
Win the World Cup?
No sweat, brother

For the police

SMART SPECS

Forget Google Glass telling you how to nd

the nearest KFC this summer, Brazilian police
are testing experimental specs to identify
potential troublemakers. A frame-mounted
camera is said to be able to capture up to
400 faces every second, which can then be
checked against a police database to help
catch known hooligans. Impressive.

For the military

UNMANNED
FLYING DRONES

The World Cup nal might have an

audience of over 700 million, but in July not
all of them will be watching in the stands or
at home on television. Brazils air force, the
FAB, has ordered a squadron of Hermes
900 drones from Israeli defence rm Elbit
Systems to gather intelligence from high
in the skies over the host cities. We could
tell you exactly what that means, but
then we would have to kill you.

For referees

MAGIC
VANISHING FOAM

Referees in Brazil will be armed with

a can of what appears to be shaving
foam. No, not for Raul Meireles
monster facial topiary, but to

WorldMags.net

FourFourTwo.com World Cup Preview 2014 11

JACKSON MARTINEZ
Striker, Colombia

EDEN HAZARD
Attacking midfelder, Belgium

WILLIAM CARVALHO
Midfelder, Portugal

Nobody in Colombia has given up hope of Radamel

Falcao recovering from a serious knee injury to
make the nals least of all El Tigre himself
but even if he does return, hell need a wingman.
The main candidate among a number of capable
replacements (including Dortmund-bound Adrian
Ramos, Udineses Luis Muriel and Teolo Gutierrez of
River Plate) is Jackson Martinez. Having successfully
lled Falcaos No.9 shirt at Porto, Jackson has
near enough matched his illustrious compatriot
numbers-wise, scoring 44 in 56 Liga appearances for
Porto since arriving from Jaguares de Chiapas in 2012.
Maybe responsibility is something Jackson needs at
international level. He started just four times in the
qualiers, failing to score. It is inconceivable that such
a run will continue much longer, given the service from
ex-Porto stalwarts Fredy Guarin and James Rodriguez.
Jacksons physical power and heading ability is
matched by his invention. He scores a great variety
of goals for Porto, domestically and in Europe, and
is intelligent in his movement. The 27-year-old could
be just the man to overpower more resilient defences
and ease Colombias case of Falcaodependencia.

Hazards sensational form for Chelsea which

looks like surpassing his incredible nal season
at Lille has raised expectations of him even
higher going into the World Cup.
Hazard has come a long way. It seems extraordinary
now to think that it took him until his 23rd appearance
for Belgium nearly three years after he made his
debut to score his rst international goal, against
Kazakhstan in a Euro 2012 qualier.
During his early years with the national seniors, it
seemed like he might be suffering for having grown
up within Frances academy system. His talent was
treated more with suspicion than excitement by
coaches, particularly Georges Leekens, who
didnt really know what to do with him.
Nowadays there is no disputing his status. Hazards
principal role is to create from the left and the
centre, although his modest international goals total
(two in World Cup qualifying) is one of the few
criticisms that can be levelled at him. Yet at Chelsea
he has proved that playing wide is no barrier to him
getting goals. If Hazard nally starts ring in Brazil,
so too will Belgium.

Sporting Lisbons academy is among the worlds

most prolic, and William Carvalho is proof that
theyre branching out from producing wing
wonders of the Cristiano Ronaldo-Luis Figo ilk.
The imposing 22-year-old defensive midelder has
made a huge impact in Lisbon since returning from a
loan spell at Cercle Brugge. His character and maturity
were best represented by his Portugal debut, coming
on for Raul Meireles in the World Cup play-off second
leg against Sweden in November, with Portugal having
just gone 2-1 down before a baying Stockholm crowd.
Carvalho adapted with admirable sangfroid, helping
to batten down the hatches as Ronaldo led Portugal to
Brazil. His full debut, against Cameroon in March, was
less a reward than an inevitability. Coach Paulo Bento
is hoping to have the newly naturalised Fernando of
Porto to call upon, but he might not need him after all.
Manchester United scouts have been eyeing Carvalho
closely and his pedigree is such that the mooted fee
(circa 30m) could end up being mere common sense,
rather than a scalping by Sporting. Bento usually likes
to select his tried and trusteds, but dont be surprised
if Carvalho lines up in the opener against Germany.

12 World Cup Preview 2014 FourFourTwo.com

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ALEKSANDR KOKORIN
Striker, Russia

PAUL POGBA
Midfelder, France

MATEO KOVACIC
Midfelder, Croatia

Leading Russias new generation, striker Kokorin

is media-friendly, playful and a huge talent.
Nouveau riche Anzhi Makhachkala certainly thought
so, paying his 19m release clause to Dynamo
Moscow before selling him back a month later
once it became apparent the money had dried up.
As is his way, 23-year-old Kokorin took it in his stride.
Quick and intelligent, he has become a composed
nisher in the two last seasons and is improving in
the air. He scored important goals in qualifying to help
Russia reach Brazil (four in seven starts overall). With
Fabio Capellos side in a fairly open group alongside
Belgium, Algeria and South Korea, they can benet
from a positive approach, which Kokorin is all about.
As Russia attempt to lay the ghosts of Euro 2012s
implosion to rest, fresh blood in the shape of Kokorin
will supplement the seasoned Aleksandr Kerzhakov
upfront. Given the Zenit mans nervy displays in Poland
and Ukraine two years ago, Russian fans will be looking
to Kokorin to provide the spark that pushes the team
into the second stage. As his cheeky backheeled goal in
a friendly win over Armenia showed, it is a responsibility
this bright young thing will be happy to embrace.

Still only 21, Pogba has never been afraid to make

abrave choice on or off the pitch. Many wondered
whether the midelder was jumping out of the
frying pan into the re when he left Manchester
United for Juventus in search of rst-team action.
Instead, he deposed local hero Claudio Marchisio in
the Old Lady mideld, and his explosive introduction to
Serie A catapulted him to a full France debut against
Georgia in March 2013. By the time he had played
arole in helping France to Under-20 World Cup glory
in July that same year, it was difcult to imagine
Les Bleus going to the World Cup without him.
Pogbas power and personality have made him
indispensable, and the good news is that he will have
the freedom in Brazil to reproduce the adventure that
has epitomised his success in Italy. In a mideld
supplemented by Yohan Cabaye and Blaise Matuidi,
Pogba is allowed off the leash to drive France forward.
Frederic Lipka, the academy director who brought
ateenage Pogba through at Le Havre before he left for
England, said in 2010 that the youngster had more
technical quality than Patrick Vieira at the same
age. Were about to see exactly what he meant.

Descended from a line of technicians including

Zvonimir Boban, Robert Prosinecki and Luka Modric,
19-year-old Kovacic is the man wholl be knitting
Croatias play together for years to come.
Need proof? Ask his predecessors: A professor of
football is the verdict of Niko Kranjcar, while Boban
says he has the potential to become better than me.
Not that its been plain sailing since Inter Milan
agreed a15m deal for him with Dinamo Zagreb in
January 2013. Two different coaches have used him
sparingly and struggled to nd an exact role for him.
Kovacic being given Wesley Sneijders No.10 shirt offers
a clue as to how Inter might have seen him, and he
has all the tools of a trequartista an elegant touch
and the ability to beat players with ease but hes had
to be content with bit-parts in a variety of positions.
There have been no such issues for Croatia,
however: the teenager was thrown into the
pressure-cooker of grudge-match qualiers
against Serbia as a holding midelder before laying
on a goal after a mazy dribble from deep in the
World Cup play-off win over Iceland. Now, Brazil
awaits and maybe the shop window.

WorldMags.net

FourFourTwo.com World Cup Preview 2014 13

Belgium
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between the lines for an opposition No.10 to

exploit. Theyre often forced to sit deep instead.

Wholl be using it?

4-4-2
Basics
A simple set-up, often viewed as the default
formation. Although 4-4-2 fell out of favour at
the end of the last decade, it has returned to
prominence recently as managers attempt
to incorporate genuine strike duos upfront.

Pros
It can cause problems for centre-back pairings,
who have become accustomed to playing with
a spare man against lone strikers. They must
remember to each track one simultaneously.
The 4-4-2 can be divided neatly into ve
pairs: the strikers, the central midelders, the

centre-backs and the two sets

of wide players, so its a good
formation for developing
strong partnerships.
Having two wide midelders
and two strikers makes 4-4-2
useful for direct football, and it also boasts
arguably the simplest defensive structure.

Cons
The 4-4-2 can become overrun in the middle
against 4-3-3 and 4-2-3-1 systems, as they
form a simple triangle around the two central
midelders. If wide players come inside to
help, this ends their attacking threat and gives
opposition full-backs freedom to advance.
Its also difcult for the midelders to press
high up the pitch without leaving space

In the absence of any Scandinavian sides,

traditionally 4-4-2 lovers, the Latin Americans
might lead the way. Uruguay coach Oscar
Tabarez has stopped trying to accommodate
Luis Suarez, Edinson Cavani and Diego Forlan
by dropping the latter. Colombia play two
upfront, though could reshape if Radamel
Falcao misses out through injury. Honduras
and Ecuador also played 4-4-2 in qualication.
Above Ecuadors
Antonio Valencia is
well suited to 4-4-2
Above right Colombia
tend to pair Falcao and
Teo Gutierrez upfront

4-3-3

How it works
Atletico Madrid have taken on La Ligas
duopoly with a compact, direct 4-4-2. In their
1-0 win at the Bernabeu, the mideld four
stayed deep and narrow, preventing space for
Madrid between the lines, while David Villa
and Diego Costa counter-attacked effectively,
charging into space left by Reals midelders.

in last years Africa Cup of Nations victory, and

Holland may return to their traditional shape.

Basics

How it works

Traditionally loved in Holland, and the Dutch

inuence at Barcelona means the Catalan
giants are now synonymous with the 4-3-3
system. Its crucial for their relentless mideld
ball retention and love of width on both anks.

Barcelonas 2011
Champions League
Final win over
Manchester United at
Wembley was a ne
illustration of 4-3-3s
strengths. Bara had
a spare man in
the
centre
of
mideld
against Uniteds
4-4-2, with Sergio
Busquets pulling the
strings and Xavi and
Andres Iniesta
creating from more
advanced positions.
Messi worked the
centre-backs, while
Pedro and David Villa
attacked in behind the
full-backs. The three
midelders all registered
an assist; the three
forwards all scored.

Pros
With three forwards across the frontline, it lls
the pitch laterally better than any other system,
enabling many different angles of attack and
meaning the wingers can stay high up, taking
on and pinning back the opposition full-backs.
As this stretches the opposition defence, it
creates gaps for midelders to play through.
The three relatively deep midelders make
4-3-3 perfect for sides who want to hold onto
possession for long periods. The central of the
trio is usually deeper, protecting the back four.

Cons
Without a strike partner or traditional No.10,
the lone striker can often become isolated.
Support comes from the wide players, but if
pushed into defensive positions they need great
stamina to sprint forward repeatedly. If they
stay in advanced positions, the full-backs must
cover a lot of ground, and nd it hard to overlap.

14 World Cup Preview 2014 FourFourTwo.com

The holding midelder can be overloaded,

particularly against a 4-2-3-1. He naturally
marks the opposition No.10, but an opposition
wide player drifting inside into a position
between the lines can nd space easily.

Wholl be using it?

Above Argentina
have a wealth of
attacking options to
ll their front three
Right Would you
rather be up against
Ronaldo... or Nani?

Paulo Bentos Portugal played 4-3-3 throughout

qualication, with Ronaldo and Nani high up
on the anks and Joao Moutinho the most
advanced of the mideld trio. Argentina have
also played the system, albeit with a more
uid front three Lionel Messi and Sergio
Aguero start wide, but inevitably drift inside to
support Gonzalo Higuain. Nigeria played 4-3-3

WorldMags.net

Cons

4-2-3-1

Theres no dened holding

midelder, and therefore
the two players deep
in mideld need
to be defensively
aware to prevent
being overrun.
The system requires
the wingers to drop
back and form a second
bank of four without
the ball, but this doesnt
come naturally to these
players, who can take time
to retreat so theres
a danger of being caught
out at defensive transitions.
Theres also the danger of
becoming a broken side, with
six defensive players and four
attackers. The wide midelders,
full-backs and central
midelders must offer great
energy to prevent this.

Basics
A relatively modern formation
that has its roots in 1990s
La Liga, the 4-2-3-1
has since become
the dominant system
of the modern era.
The previous two World
Cup winners, Italy in 2006
and Spain in 2010, both
used the formation.

Pros
The 4-2-3-1 covers space
excellently: theres no specic zone
of weakness, and almost every type
of player has an obvious place in the
side, whereas a No.10 nds it
difcult to play in a 4-4-2 or
a 4-3-3, for example.
It is also extremely exible.
Push the central attacking
midelder forward and bring the
wingers back, and you have
a modied 4-4-2. Do the reverse, and its
a 4-2-1-3, a variation upon 4-3-3. A cautious
midelder can be used in the attacking band
of three to provide more defensive structure,
or a playmaker can be used in the two to
introduce more creativity.

Wholl be using it?

The 4-2-3-1 should be the most
popular formation at the World Cup, used by
favourites such as Brazil, Spain and Germany.
They have different interpretations of the
system, however. Brazil use a disciplined
No.10, Oscar, with two wide forwards, Hulk
and Neymar. Spain generally play Xavi and a
wide midelder deep, helping to overload the

3-5-2 / 3-4-3
Basics
The three-man defence has generally fallen
out of favour, although it remains extremely
popular in Serie A. Brazil won the 2002 World
Cup with a back three, Cafu and Roberto Carlos
as wing-backs, two holding midelders, then
Rivaldo, Ronaldinho and Ronaldo upfront.

Pros
A three-man back line is perfect against a pair
of central strikers two defenders track them
while another sweeps up behind. Theres no
need for a fourth defender, and that player

Above Brazils No.11

is a No.10; the man
wearing No.10 plays
out wide. Confused?
Left Mario Gotze is
one of many options
available to Germany
behind a lone striker

Below Juventus
provide a regular
back three for Italy
Right Chile are most
dangerous with
Vidal operating
between the lines

can instead be redeployed somewhere higher

up the pitch, increasing attacking potential.
Alternatively, the wing-backs can
retreat to create a solid back ve,
which can be useful for minnows
parking the bus. New Zealand did
this at the last World Cup, and
ended as the tournaments only
unbeaten side teams simply
couldnt nd a way through
the masses of defenders.

Cons
If the opposition is only using
one striker, there is a surplus
of defenders. This inevitably
means theres a shortfall
elsewhere, and so its hard to
retain possession for long
periods or attack in numbers.
The 3-5-2 can be overloaded
down the anks, with one wing-back
often having to cope against an
opposition winger and an
attacking full-back, too. The
3-4-3 offers great width, but
can be overrun in the middle.

Wholl be using it?

Italy coach Cesare Prandelli has
often used a 3-5-2, partly because

WorldMags.net

mideld zone, and sometimes a false nine too.

Germany, meanwhile, have such an array of
attacking options that their precise shape will
vary according to Jogi Lows team selection.

How it works
Chelseas Premier League win at Manchester
City in February was more convincing than
the 1-0 scoreline suggests, and was a classic
4-2-3-1 performance. David Luiz and Nemanja
Matic played strict, disciplined holding roles to
protect the back four, while upfront Samuel
Etoo fought for long balls and made clever
runs to open up space for the trio of attacking
midelders. Eden Hazard, Willian and Ramires
constantly broke forward to get in advance of
Etoo, carrying the greatest goalscoring threat.

Juventus can provide keeper Gianluigi Buffon,

centre-back trio Andrea Barzagli, Leonardo
Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini, and deep-lying
playmaker Andrea Pirlo. Chile have sometimes
played an extremely attack-minded 3-4-1-2,
with Arturo Vidal between the lines. Croatia
experimented with 3-5-2 and 3-4-2-1
in qualifying, while Costa Rica
will deploy a defensive version,
5-4-1, against England.

How it works
Juventus have dominated
Serie A for three years in
a 3-5-2 system, effective in
Italy as many opponents
use two strikers. Two Juve
centre-backs mark opponents,
and Bonucci acts as sweeper.
Stephan Lichtsteiner and Kwadwo
Asamoah provide width, meaning
Juves midelders and attackers
pack the centre. Vidal and
Paul Pogba love to charge
into the box, Andrea Pirlo
dictates the play from
deep, while Carlos
Tevez and Fernando
Llorente
are a classic
strike duo.

FourFourTwo.com World Cup Preview 2014 15

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16 World Cup Preview 2014 FourFourTwo.com

WorldMags.net

ADVERTORIAL

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Comfort will be
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one are the days of training in

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This summer the players will
look like footballers at every moment we see
them, in part thanks to Nikes design team.
Nike Footballs Creative Director Martin Lotti
and his team were handed the task of creating
looks for specic moments that the players
interact with each other, fans and the media.
The process began by sitting down with the
players to get an understanding of moments
where they would be together as a team, says
Lotti. Then we discussed the kind of styles
theyd like to wear during those moments.
Scenarios identied included the obligatory
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the players travel, training, press conferences,

national anthem and an outt for the

players on the substitutes bench.
Identifying the different moments was
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look good! They were very specic about the
shapes, cuts, colours and materials for the
product they wanted, adds Lotti.
Usually a formal affair, the England players
asked for something slightly more casual for
the squad send-off. Nike responded with the
classic N98 Track Jacket, this time in iridescent
black with a simple narrow-collared polo, Tech
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For moments of travel, England will wear
a Nike Tech Fleece Hoodie with the Nike
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an appearance. The players loved the Tech
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many of the looks as we could. As for

training, weve delivered our best performance
innovation apparel and given a slight change
to the traditional colour palette. This
moment is about preparation, says Lotti.
This years Anthem Jacket is probably my
favourite piece. Its premium Nike Tech Fleece
and weve done this for just three teams:
Brazil, France and England the three
Nike teams who have won the trophy.
For those on the sidelines, Nike has utilised
tech that was seen at the Winter Olympics.
Nike Aeroloft is designed to keep a player
warm, but not too warm, as they wait for their
moment. It features 800-ll down [insulation]
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warmth where its needed most. Its extremely
lightweight and comfortable a great addition
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WorldMags.net

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FourFourTwo.com World Cup Preview 2014 17

YOUR
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WorldMags.net
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FIXTURES
Brazil vs Croatia
June 12
Sao Paulo
9pm (BST) ITV

Mexico vs Cameroon
June 13
Natal
5pm ITV

Brazil vs Mexico
June 17
Fortaleza
8pm BBC

Cameroon vs Croatia
June 18
Manaus
11pm ITV

Cameroon vs Brazil
June 23
Brasilia
9pm ITV

Croatia vs Mexico
June 23
Recife
9pm ITV

WorldMags.net

FourFourTwo.com World Cup Preview 2014 19

GROUP A

BRAZIL
MEXICO
CROATIA
CAMEROON

BRAZIL
Expectations in Brazil have seesawed as the
pressure of hosting the World Cup looms large.
Under coach Mano Menezes they seemed
doomed, failing to beat a top rival for two
years. Then, when legendary gaffer Luiz Felipe
Scolari rode to the rescue in early 2013, things
got worse they even lost to England.
But the Confederations Cup later that year
saw a change, with team and public coming
together properly for the rst time in years
(putting aside the large protests taking place
outside the stadiums). An electric atmosphere
helped Brazil to overcome Italy, beat Uruguay
and thrash Spain in a manner betting Bara
at their best. But dont get too excited: the
Selecao must face the ghost of Maracanazo,
the traumatic defeat to Uruguay the last
time Brazil hosted the World Cup, in 1950.
They have also lost to Switzerland recently,
depend too heavily on Neymar and have
youngsters who could wilt should things go
off the rails. Thats the thing with seesaws
they bounce back the other way after a peak.

20 World Cup Preview 2014 FourFourTwo.com

THE PERCEPTION
Young, talented but inexperienced. Neymar
and Oscar (both 22) are key, but dont really
have anyone to look up to. Of the XI that
started last years Confederations Cup nal,
only Julio Cesar, Dani Alves, Thiago Silva
and Fred have World Cup experience.

LUIZ FELIPE
SCOLARI
His poor spell at
Chelsea never
registered in
South America;
as before the
2002 World Cup,
hes taken over
a struggling side
and transformed
it. Big Phil is as
important as any
Brazil player.

THE REALITY
Brazil can win, but they are over-reliant on
their defence and Neymar. Concede the rst
goal in a knockout game and they could
crumble. Score rst and a samba show might
just commence. Home advantage, which
played a major role in the Confederations
Cup triumph, will be back with a vengeance.
THE MASTERPLAN
Brazil tried to emulate Barcelona under
Menezes: 4-6-0 was their default line-up and it
failed. Scolari has gone for a 2012-13 Bayern
style: swift movement, pressing, taller players
and atarget man lurking in the box. Fred is

WorldMags.net

Brazil will be
champions or
fop there is no
middle ground
no Ronaldo or Romario hes not even
a Mandzukic but he carries out Big Phils plan.
Neymar can play as a false nine if required.
STRENGTHS
Neymar isnt Brazils only talent. Paulinho is
abox-to-box midelder who lends stability,
Hulk shoots accurately, powerfully and often,
and Thiago Silva, Dante and David Luiz are
among the worlds best defenders. Scolaris
scheming can change a match, and, of course,
there are those excitable Brazilian supporters.

Brazilian most likely to... kiss a fan when he scores? Find out at TheGuide.FourFourTwo.com

THE 60-SECOND DOSSIER

9

Pato

Oscar

Hulk

26

12

OWon by two or more goals

OWon by one goal
OScore draw
OGoalless draw
OLost by one goal
OLost by two or more goals

Fred

30

SCORERS SINCE
LAST WORLD CUP

Neymar

RESULTS SINCE
LAST WORLD CUP

6
10

20-YEAR FIFA RANKING

1

1
4

3
6
9

10
15
19

20
40
60
80

95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14

IN NUMBERS

Matches Brazil competed

in and won during last
summers Confederations
Cup on home soil.

Stats provided by

Brazil have lost just two

of their last 17 World Cup
matches (vs France in
2006 and Holland in 2010).

Goals shared between

Fred(5) and Neymar (4)
during the Confederations
Cup triumph last year.

Thiago Silva: dashboard v Guingamp (H)

Brazil have the worlds best centre-back,
who is both inventive and solid. In this win
for PSG, Thiago Silva completed 95 per cent
of his passes, won ve out of six aerial
duels and made 10 clearances. Bosh.

LESSONS FROM QUALIFYING

With Brazil having qualied as
hosts, we only have the
Confederations Cup and friendies
to go on as reference points for
this talented but untested
side. They scored more goals
under Menezes but conceded
more, too. The defence is Scolaris
main concern and Brazil have
improved their record in the second half
of matches. He is starting to nd a balance.

DAVID LUIZ
Whats your rst World
Cup memory, David?
The rst time I understood the
importance of it was in 1994
the penalty missed by Baggio,
the goal scored by Branco
against Holland, the baby
celebration of Bebeto
I remember all that very clearly.
I dont know if its because we
won, but Ive got more
memories from
that World Cup
than any other.
We were on
holiday at
my grandmas
house in
Cataguases, and
I needed to go
to the toilet
really bad, but
had to wait for
the penalties!
Was it worth it?
[Laughs] For sure! That whole
generation did something
remarkable. I cant pick out
one or two players that team
had a different brightness.
How excited are you about
a World Cup on home soil?
The World Cup is the dream for
every player, but weve got to
keep our feet rmly on the
ground. Its a childhood dream
coming true to represent my
country and getting the
chance to emulate those
players I watched in 1994.

STATS ZONE SAYS:

WEAKNESSES
Julio Cesar is no longer the presence he
once was in goal, having been loaned
out from QPR to MLS side Toronto, while
injury-prone Fred has recently returned
from a long-term thigh problem and
doesnt seem as sharp as he was a year
ago. Scolari wont change his numbers 1
and 9, and has few attacking options
on the bench if Brazil fall behind.

PLAYER INTERVIEW

VERDICT
Expected and likely to win their group
and go on to reach the semis. That last four
match will be crucial: it is easier to see them
falling at the second-to-last hurdle than
losing a nal on home soil.

Everyone seems to get along

so well in the dressing room
I always mention
this. Its the
best

environment Ive ever seen in

football. Its something I miss
when Im not with them. I feel
anxious and count the days
until the next meeting.
Willian and you have known
each other for a long time
and are now back together
at Chelsea. How nice is it to
share a World Cup together?
I cant describe
the feeling of
watching such
an old friend going
through all this by
your side. I nagged
him for so long,
telling him he
should move to
a league where
he could be seen.
Hes always been
a great player,
someone who could ght
for a place, but he needed
others to recognise this.
How important is Neymar
to the Brazil team?
Neymar is a different player, but
hes got the same responsibility
as everyone else. Hes brought
back technique we had
forgotten and were missing for
some time. Theres this 10 year
gap of generations between
Kaka, born in 1982 and Neymar
in 1992. We can now dream
about one of our footballers
challenging again to be named
the best player in the world.
We give him the freedom
he needs to do everything
he wants during games.
The oldest should
sacrice for him to
shine on the eld.

KEY PLAYER
Neymars team-mates might feel
the pressure of carrying ve stars
on their chests in a home
World Cup, but he doesnt
seem to. Hes matured in
Spain and understands his
role in this side superbly. Despite
his young age, Brazils darling (left)
has already scored in nals for
Santos, Brazil and Barcelona.
As a nisher and link between
mideld and Fred, his
performances will dene whether
Brazil become champions or
op there is no middle ground.

WorldMags.net

FourFourTwo.com World Cup Preview 2014 21

GROUP A

BRAZIL
MEXICO
CROATIA
CAMEROON

STRENGTHS
Mexico are technically adept, with fast,
tactically disciplined players. The squad
has extensive experience in the top leagues
and as opposed to previous incarnations
arrive in Brazil with no pressure on them.
WEAKNESSES
The defence is slow and the mideld will
struggle against physically strong sides
such as the teams they will face in the
group. Herrera has juggled his squad,
so the new line-up lacks cohesion
and is short on time to nd it.

MEXICO
On October 10, Mexico imploded. They lost 2-1
in Costa Rica, relying upon two injury-time USA
goals against Panama to scrape fourth place in
the nal CONCACAF qualifying group, their
worst result in history. The team had looked
clueless for most of a disastrous campaign.
Condence was even low ahead of the
crucial play-off against lowly New Zealand.
Since then, things have improved. Under
Miguel Herrera a fourth coach in six months
the team booked its ticket to Brazil, beating
the All Whites 9-3 on aggregate (Rafael
Marquez making it 5-1 at the Azteca, top right).
Subsequent friendly wins over Finland (4-2) and
South Korea (4-0) have led fans to think the
World Cup may not be a catastrophe after all.
THE PERCEPTION
Technical and amboyant, Mexico always fall
short when things get difcult against more
clinical sides. The same can be said about their
players in Europe great for smaller teams,
not good enough for the big guns.

22 World Cup Preview 2014 FourFourTwo.com

MIGUEL
HERRERA
Brash, outspoken
Herrera has been
the architect of
Mexicos revival,
mixing tactical
acumen with
highly honed
motivational skills.
But his own ery
character could
start to are if
things go awry.

THE REALITY
Mexico are almost
impossible to assess.
Excellent in 2012,
dismal in 2013,
they have
qualied for the
last 16 in the
previous ve World Cups but
laboured dangerously in a
weak qualifying group.
THE MASTERPLAN
Herrera has ditched his
predecessors preferred
4-3-1-2 for an attacking
5-3-2 formation, with two
wing-backs constantly
pushing forward and raiding
the oppositions half in search of
openings. Theres only one truly
defensive midelder, while the
other two play box-to-box.

WorldMags.net

LESSONS FROM QUALIFYING

Mexico were so bad that the best
lesson they could take was
to change everything. They
seem to be on the right track,
with a new coach, anew
system, a new captain
and half a squads
worth of new faces.
VERDICT
Talent-wise, Mexico are strong
enough to ght for second
place with Croatia, but its
difcult to know how this team
will shape up when the time
comes. Third in the group
seems a sensible bet.
KEY PLAYER
Oribe Peralta (left). Many outside
Mexico expect Chicharito (main
picture) or Giovani dos Santos
to be Mexicos stars in Brazil, but
Peralta is a more likely candidate.
A late bloomer, at 30 he might be
the best No.9 to play outside the
big European leagues. He scored
abrace to help Mexico win gold
at the 2012 London Olympics and
is looking extremely sharp.

Read more at TheGuide.FourFourTwo.com

switching quickly to attack mode or recycling

the ball back to mideld engineers Modric,
Rakitic and Kovacic.
STRENGTHS
That terrifying playmaker axis. Modric and
Rakitic are among La Ligas best central
midelders and their styles complement each
other well. Mandzukic is a mean pressing
machine and among the best forwards in
the world in terms of aerial prowess.
WEAKNESSES
A lack of depth and balance. Left-back and
defensive mideld remain just about anyones
guess, and its not fully clear whether Croatia
have any wingers at all, let alone good ones.
The defence is creaking, slow and often sloppy.

CROATIA
Croatias qualifying campaign was somewhat
painful to watch. Fans relished the home win
over Serbia but it only masked an otherwise
rotten state of affairs. By that point, team
morale had been all but destroyed under
ex-Derby and West Ham hardman Igor Stimac.
When Stimac was sacked, Niko Kovac was
appointed as a quick x ahead of the play-off
against Iceland. The fact he had little coaching
experience didnt bother anyone in Croatia; at
least he wasnt Stimac. But the new man fared
well even if he was lucky to avoid stronger
sides in the play-offs and wounds started
to heal, with the squad looking closer to the
sum of their parts ahead of the World Cup.
THE PERCEPTION
Once a cool, young team bursting with talent
and swagger perennial dark horses who
spelled trouble for the big boys Croatia are
now well past their peak and have been in
disarray of late. They lost to Scotland twice
in qualifying, you know...

NIKO KOVAC
As his countrys
captain and
talisman under
Slaven Bilic, Kovac
possessed tactical
intelligence and
leadership ability.
Now he must try
to have the same
effect from the
touchline. So far,
the rookie is doing
reasonably well.

THE REALITY
The three genuine star players
midelders Luka Modric and
Ivan Rakitic, and striker Mario
Mandzukic (main picture,
right, with Vedran Corluka)
have all improved
considerably since
Euro 2012, while
20-year-old Inter
midelder Mateo
Kovacic could
prove a revelation.
In Brazil, they are likely to be
a much different beast to the side
that limped through qualifying.
THE MASTERPLAN
Everyone will need to work hard defensively
without the ball, as the back four are
unlikely to be trusted fully. Croatia will line up
in a 4-2-3-1-cum-4-1-4-1 and seek to win the
ball as high up the pitch as possible before

WorldMags.net

LESSONS FROM QUALIFYING

Choose a plan and stick to it. Tactical
consistency was missing under
Stimac, who appeared determined
to use a different formation in every
game. That rendered the side
ineffective upfront and leaky
at the back: they scored 12
and conceded nine over
the course of 10
qualifying games.
VERDICT
The knockout
stage is within
reach, but to go
beyond that would be
a big ask for an unbalanced
squad with an inexperienced
coach. They should nish
group runners-up before going
out but not without a ght.
KEY PLAYER
Luka Modric (left) pulls the
strings from the middle and
Croatia depend heavily on his
scheming. The former Tottenham
player has been in great form
this term, having nally found the
condence to dictate games in
the Real Madrid mideld.

GROUP A

BRAZIL
MEXICO
CROATIA
CAMEROON

With Alex Song dictating the tempo, they like

to get the ball into Vincent Aboubakar through
the middle, allowing the wingers or full-backs
to nd space. When that fails, they go long.
STRENGTHS
Defending. Nicolas NKoulou and Aurelien
Chedjou have formed an excellent centre-back
partnership, and with revitalised Liverpool
reject Itandje giving some ne performances
between the sticks in qualifying, Cameroon
will be hoping to at least shut teams out.
WEAKNESSES
Creativity. With seemingly no attacking
midelders, the team lack the vital connection
between mideld and attack, meaning the
talent upfront lacks the service to thrive.

CAMEROON
Having lurched into the World Cup via an
uninspiring qualifying campaign, Cameroon
will be looking for a vast improvement in Brazil
as part of the process of rebuilding their
reputation as a footballing nation both
across the world and in Africa.
They lost 2-0 away to Togo in their qualifying
group, but the hosts elding of an ineligible
player meant Cameroon were awarded a 3-0
win retroactively, overturning a result that
probably would have called a halt to their
World Cup ambitions. They went on to record
an impressive 4-1 aggregate victory in their
play-off against Tunisia, but Cameroon are
unlikely to surprise anyone in Brazil especially
in a group containing the hosts and two
talented mid-ranked sides.
THE PERCEPTION
Samuel Etoo (main picture) and not a whole
lot else. A side with one genuine star who has
to do everything himself to make up for his
sides shortcomings and poor defence.

24 World Cup Preview 2014 FourFourTwo.com

THE BOSS

VOLKER FINKE
Finke spent 16
years at Freiburg
before moving to
Japan with Urawa
Red Diamonds.
He was one of the
brains behind the
resurgance of the
sport in Germany
in the 1990s and
was appointed
Cameroon coach
in May 2013.

THE REALITY
Quite the opposite. This is a side with
a sturdy defence and a solid stopper
in Charles Itandje but goals
are a real problem.
A recent second-half
capitulation against
Portugal was less
solid conceding
four to lose 5-1
suggesting that,
contrary to the
nickname, the
Indomitable
Lions might
be a bit, well,
domitable.
THE MASTERPLAN
Setting up the team in a
4-3-3, German boss Volker
Finke has got Cameroon
playing a possession game.

WorldMags.net

LESSONS FROM QUALIFYING

Stick with 4-3-3. Finke experimented with
a diabolical 4-4-2 formation initially, with
a quartet of defensive midelders in front of
the back four. The 4-3-3 used in the second leg
of the play-off against Tunisia saw the team
score more than they had in their previous
ve matches, running out 4-1 winners.
VERDICT
Terrible showings at recent
tournaments and a tough group
suggest they wont progress.
KEY PLAYER
Charles Itandje (left). As
his domestic career has
slipped into obscurity,
Itandje has become
one of Cameroons
best performers,
making a number of
match-winning saves.
A particular highlight
was the 0-0 rst leg
against Tunisia, as he
showed the sort of
form that prompted
Liverpool to sign
him back in 2007.
Hell need more
of the same
against the likes
of Neymar & Co.

FIXTURES
Spain vs Holland
June 13
Salvador
8pm (BST) BBC

Chile vs Australia
June 13
Cuiaba
11pm ITV

Australia vs Holland
June 18
Porto Alegre
5pm ITV

Spain vs Chile
June 18
Rio de Janeiro
8pm BBC

Australia vs Spain
June 23
Curitiba
5pm ITV

Holland vs Chile
June 23
Sao Paulo
5pm ITV

WorldMags.net

FourFourTwo.com World Cup Preview 2014 25

GROUP B

SPAIN
HOLLAND
CHILE
AUSTRALIA

SPAIN
If there is one thing the Spanish are
particularly good at aside, that is, from
kicking a ball about and winning a bunch of
trophies in the process it is fretting about the
health of their national football team. Other
countries that happened to be reigning world
and European champions would be plumping
up their laurels and resting on them for Brazil.
Instead, the Spanish are in worry-mode over
the sorts of concerns for which Roy Hodgson
would run the bulls at Pamplona on stilts.
Which world-class goalkeeper should Spain
play? Should they eld a top-class striker
upfront or an attacking midelder? Will
coach Vicente del Bosque get the very
best out of Barcelonas Andres Iniesta (above)?
Boo hoo. Its enough to turn football fans
the world over green with envy.
THE PERCEPTION
Tiki-taka is dead, leaving Spain as dinosaurs in
a world of uber-football, pointlessly passing
their way into oblivion. There is no functioning

26 World Cup Preview 2014 FourFourTwo.com

striker, the defence is ropey and the

Xavi-Puyol-Villa platinum generation is
on its last legs, although Del Bosque will be
stubbornly trying to disprove that in Brazil.

VICENTE
DEL BOSQUE
The coach will say
little, try to stop
any squabbling
and tend to his
tactics. His big
decision is what
to do with Iker
Casillas, who has
spent much of
2013-14 as a Real
Madrid sub. Some
problem that is.

THE REALITY
The Spanish have learned a few new
tricks ahead of Brazil with players such as
Manchester Citys Alvaro Negredo, Bayern
Munichs Javi Martinez and Diego Costa of
Atletico Madrid set to show that the holders
can compete physically with the best of them.
Tiki-taka is dead long live kicky-taka.
THE MASTERPLAN
Aside from pressure and possession the
central pillars of Spains system Del Bosque
will be looking for added versatility and
unpredictability at the World Cup. Line-ups
will change for each game, depending on the
opposition. Diego Costa, Iniesta and Pedro
will offer something different to Negredo,
David Slva and Jesus Navas. Spain have Plans A

WorldMags.net

Spains reserves
would have a
good shout of
winning the cup
through Z to befuddle opposition coaches,
who will not have a clue what to plan for.
STRENGTHS
Despite self-imposed pressure, Spain have
nothing to prove. The side is already one of
the all-time greats, no matter what happens
in the summer. Brazil and Germany will be the
teams with backs buckling under the tension;
Spains squad is packed with footballers who
have been there, done that and dropped the
subsequent trophy off the bus.

Spaniard most likely to... start a scrap with his team-mates? Find out at TheGuide.FourFourTwo.com

THE 60-SECOND DOSSIER

12

9
Cazorla

Villa

13

Torres

24

13

David Silva

13

OWon by two or more goals

OWon by one goal
OScore draw
OGoalless draw
OLost by one goal
OLost by two or more goals

Pedro

SCORERS SINCE
LAST WORLD CUP
14

RESULTS SINCE
LAST WORLD CUP

20-YEAR FIFA RANKING

1
5

5
8

10
15

2
6

5
8

15

PLAYER INTERVIEW

DAVID DE GEA
Your Manchester United
form has been excellent. How
happy have you been with it?
Ive been really happy with my
form. I feel that I continue to
improve, that
Im stronger
and more
experienced.
Im also 12
kilos heavier
than when I
arrived at
United, which
has helped.

20
40
60
80

95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14

IN NUMBERS

Goals conceded by Spain

in World Cup qualifying,
fewer than any other UEFA
nation. A feat aided by

74

Spain averaging the

highest possession gure
(74.3 per cent) of any
UEFA nation in qualifying.

Stats provided by

Goals scored by their top

scorer in qualifying, Pedro,
while Cesc Fabregas led
the assists (also four).

STATS ZONE SAYS:

Iniesta: all passes v Real Madrid (H)
The most impressive thing about Iniesta is
the way he rises to an occasion, whether
its scoring in the World Cup nal or setting
up Neymar in a Clasico with a few more
glorious defence-splitting passes on top.

WEAKNESSES
The centre-back pairing is the biggest
worry, with Gerard Pique out of form and
Sergio Ramos not always convincing
either, although he proves more reliable
for his country than Real Madrid. But
with the side averaging so much
possession, this weakness is greatly
nullied. David Villa and Fernando
Torres declines should be offset
by the arrival of Diego Costa.
LESSONS FROM
QUALIFYING
They rarely scored freely, barely
beat Georgia away and drew at
home to Finland and France, but
little should be taken from friendlies or
lesser qualifying clashes in terms of
judging Spains strength and form. The
teams mentality is forged from steel
girders: Euro 2012 proved that when its
showtime, the big-game trousers go on.

VERDICT
Last summers Confederations Cup nal
defeat was rope-a-dope from Del Bosques
side. Spains second-stringers would have
a good shout of winning the World Cup,
let alone the rst team as long as
they can beat South American
teams in their own environment.

Will your form

be enough to
earn you a place in
the Spain squad?
I can do no more than play
well and hope Im selected.
Thats what Ive tried to do, but
there are other factors. Spain
has very strong goalkeepers
some of the best in the world.
Its not just our outeld players
who are among the best.
Whats your rst World
Cup memory?
Japan and Korea in 2002.
I was 11, at home in Madrid.
Nobody forgets that in Spain.
There was a sense of injustice
after a famous game against
South Korea. Two Spain goals
were disallowed. The players
were angry, the whole country.
Then Korea won on penalties.
Do Spain go into this
tournament as favourites?
Spain have to be one of the
favourites as weve won the
last three tournaments. But
its in Brazil and Brazil are
so strong, especially in
front of
their own

people, as they showed in the

Confederations Cup last year.
What would it mean to
Spaniards if you were to
become the rst team in 52
years to defend
the trophy?
Its ironic that
Spain has only
begun to have
success in
football as
the country
has started
to struggle
economically.
Football has
lifted spirits and given
Spaniards a reason to
celebrate in some dark times.
Though youre yet to make
your debut, youve been
selected for a couple of
squads. Whats Vicente del
Bosque like to work with?
Tranquil, calm the players like
that. Hes respected, too. Hes
won the Champions League
and the World Cup as a
manager. If I work with him in
the future, as I hope to do, Ill
listen to the advice he gives.
Youre noted for your
distribution. How will good
passing from the keeper help
in a tournament that will be
very hot and humid?
Its vital for a goalkeeper of
a top team. You have to play
quickly and with your feet,
to distribute well.
You can
turn defence
into attack
very quickly
and the best
teams do that.

KEY PLAYER
A rampaging Diego Costa
(left) is just what the Spanish
doctor ordered. The powerful
Atletico Madrid striker offers
attitude, aggression and the chance
for his adopted country to shake
their nice-guy, dont like it up em
stereotype. The bonus for Costa is
that not only will opposition defenders
hate playing against him, hes also set
to be a distracting boo-boy for the fans,
playing in the country he rejected for
Spain. Hes going to lap up every second.

WorldMags.net

FourFourTwo.com World Cup Preview 2014 27

GROUP B

SPAIN
HOLLAND
CHILE
AUSTRALIA

HOLLAND
Although Holland impressed in qualication,
there are a lot of uncertainties about the team
that will play in Brazil. Since the start of his
second reign two years ago, coach Louis van
Gaal has been experimenting, handing out
debuts to no fewer than 25 players, most
of whom ply their trade in the Eredivisie.
This has led to both positive and negative
analyses. Spirits were rock-bottom after
Euro 2012, which ended in soul-destroying
fashion with three group stage defeats.
With a new, young team, the talk of dressing
room unrest that marred the Euros faded away
quickly. But it has also become apparent that
the current squad lacks tactical awareness,
speed, power and quality, especially in
defensive areas. Van Gaal has been praised
for nurturing young talent, but this is a big
project and he has yet to nd his best XI.

THE PERCEPTION
Dutch expectations arent high when it comes
to this relatively young squad, although

28 World Cup Preview 2014 FourFourTwo.com

LOUIS
VAN GAAL
Now in his second
spell as national
coach (failing to
reach the 2002
World Cup in the
rst), he has led
Ajax, Barcelona
and Bayern over
a successful
career. Spurs are
hoping to attract
him after Brazil.

unusually the atmosphere within the camp

is good. In a way, they cant really disappoint
after the Euro 2012 debacle. And poor
periods in the past have preceded
unforgettable tournament appearances,
such as 1974, 1988 and 1998.

THE REALITY
Van Gaal says that he considers other
countries Brazil, Argentina, Spain and
Germany as more favourable candidates,
but claims Holland still have a chance if they
can excel in their tactical approach. And that
just happens to be his area of expertise.

THE MASTERPLAN
Van Gaal always maintains he wants to play
an attacking 3-4-3, but has conceded that he
has too little time to get the team playing that
system to perfection. He has confessed hell
play a bit more defensively in Brazil, perhaps
with an extra holding mideld player, which
Holland have experimented with recently.

WorldMags.net

Dutch strength
lies in a front line
of Van Persie,
Robben and Lens
STRENGTHS
Hollands strength lies in attack, with
a front line consisting of Robin van Persie,
Arjen Robben and Jeremain Lens. That trio
contributed a combined 19 goals in the
qualication campaign a signicant
proportion of the 34 the Dutch scored in total.

WEAKNESSES
Holland have been vulnerable at the back for
quite some time. Unlike Brazil or Italy, they do
not have world-class defenders. It remains

Dutchman most likely to... ride a Harley across Brazil? Find out at TheGuide.FourFourTwo.com

THE 60-SECOND DOSSIER

7

7
Robben

Sneijder

9
Van der Vaart

6
5

Huntelaar

Van Persie

Lens

20

22

OWon by two or more goals

OWon by one goal
OScore draw
OGoalless draw
OLost by one goal
OLost by two or more goals

Kuyt

SCORERS SINCE
LAST WORLD CUP
18

RESULTS SINCE
LAST WORLD CUP

20-YEAR FIFA RANKING

1
5
10
15
20

3
6

4
9

10

13
25

11

21

40
60
80

PLAYER INTERVIEW

MICHEL VORM
What did you make of the
qualication campaign?
From the start, we had a new
manager [Louis
van Gaal], which
we had to get
used to. The
squad was
rejuvenated,
and before the
rst match
against Turkey,
many were
wondering
what would
happen. But the whole
campaign has gone really
well. We were one of the rst
countries to qualify for Brazil.

What are Hollands realistic

expectations for Brazil?
Im only looking to the group
stage now. We have to try to
start well, and
see if we can
progress. Spain
are the current
champions,
Chile have great
qualities and
Australia have
a good team
as well. Kevin
Strootman
will be dearly
missed [due to injury], but
I think Van Gaal will put
out a very well organised team.

What is the difference

between previous coach Bert
van Marwijk and Van Gaal?
Van Marwijk had been manager
for quite a while. With him,
there was quite soon a default
starting line-up. Now, it doesnt
matter whether youre Wesley
Sneijder or Bruno Martins Indi,
you have to prove yourself every
week. Thats why a lot of young
guys are still in the frame for
the Dutch team. Everybody
holds a chance.

How would you characterize

the current team?
We have a young squad, with
less experience, but with great
eagerness. It wont be easy
against countries with lots of
experience, like we noted
against France recently. But
there is still a lot of talent and
quality in this team. If players
such as Arjen Robben, Wesley
Sneijder, Robin van Persie, Leroy
Fer, Jeremain Lens and Nigel
de Jong retain their current
form and stay t, we still have
a lot of guys who are playing
at the highest level.

95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14

IN NUMBERS

34

Goals scored by Holland

during qualifying. Only
Germany (36) scored more
of the European teams.

Stats provided by

11 100

With 11 goals, striker

Van Persie was the top
scorer during UEFAs
World Cup qualiers.

Wesley Sneijder and Dirk

Kuyt could both win their
100th cap during the
World Cup group stage.

STATS ZONE SAYS:

Ron Vlaar: dashboard v Chelsea (H)
Hollands defence is a work in progress
they used ve keepers in qualifying but
Vlaar is a rock. In March, the centre-back
made eight clearances, four blocks and
three interceptions as Villa beat Chelsea.

unclear which centre-backs will play in

Brazil, with a number of different defensive
combinations being tested in preparation.

LESSONS FROM QUALIFYING

Holland eased through qualication in
style, unbeaten and winning nine of
their 10 games. However, whenever
theyve faced stronger opposition in
friendlies, they havent been able to
expose opponents effectively. Recently
they have failed to win against ve
FIFA top-10 ranked sides, drawing
four (against Germany, Colombia,
Italy and Portugal) and losing
one (Belgium). There is still
plenty of work to do, especially
with Spain and Chile lying in wait.

VERDICT
Find a formation and create a game
plan, and Holland can do well. The
Dutch FA has targeted a semi-nal

spot, which would be a great achievement by

current standards. More realistic is a place in
the last 16 or quarter-nals (if they can avoid
Brazil), but their inexperience and Chiles
strength makes even that a tricky task.

KEY PLAYER
Arjen Robben (left) is the only
Holland player who has truly
shone at world-class level this
season. His impact has been
immense for Bayern Munich,
with important performances
and goals in the Bundesliga,
German Cup and Champions
League as Bayern have ruled the
football world. Initially, Robben
was less impressive in Hollands
qualication campaign he even
missed some matches but the
bomber performed well in the
nal four games, scoring three
times. At 30, this is his moment.

Do you have any indication

who will be rst choice
goalkeeper in Brazil?
I believe nothing is decided
yet. We all have played some
games under Van Gaal. Tim Krul
played at the start, then
Maarten Stekelenburg and
Kenneth Vermeer got a
few games. During the last part
of the qualication
campaign I was
playing and more
recently Jasper
Cillessen [above]
got a chance. And
then there is
Jeroen Zoet! A
positive thing is
we are supportive
of each other.

WorldMags.net

Is there any chance your wife

will give birth during the World
Cup, as happened in 2010?
No, that wont happen this
time! That was quite a special
experience. In the evening,
after our 2-0 win over Denmark,
I ew back from South Africa
to be with my wife and
son, who had just been
born the day before.
It was a surprise from
the coaching staff,
who had arranged a
ight for me to go up
and down. Im still
grateful to Van
Marwijk for that.

FourFourTwo.com World Cup Preview 2014 29

GROUP B

SPAIN
HOLLAND
CHILE
AUSTRALIA

Mauricio Isla, Arturo Vidal and Alexis Sanchez

(left) on the right and Eugenio Mena, Marcelo
Diaz and Eduardo Vargas on the left help to
maintain width and attack at pace. Only Jorge
Valdivia is allowed to hold the ball and think.
STRENGTHS
Chile always impose their own game, pressing
into the opposition half, creating two-on-one
situations on both wings and defending
man-to-man at the back if necessary. The
experience of Marcos Gonzalez and Cardiff
Citys Gary Medel, used as a central
defender by Chile, keep things in order.
WEAKNESSES
La Roja often confuse intensity with violence.
Their non-stop style prompts unnecessary
fouls, while their shortage of numbers at the
back means too many last-ditch challenges.
Their disciplinary record is awful and they
end up paying for it with suspensions.
LESSONS FROM QUALIFYING
Borghis sacking was a relief for several players
he had fallen out with and was a condence
boost for Vargas. Reunited with former
Universidad de Chile coach Sampaoli, the
forward, currently on loan at Valencia, netted
four goals in the last six games of qualifying.

CHILE
It wasnt an easy process, but Chileans found
that there was life after Marcelo Bielsa, who
had captured the nations hearts with his
revolutionary coaching methods.
After the disastrous and short-lived stint of
Claudio Borghi and disciplinary action taken
against several players for unprofessional
behaviour, Jorge Sampaoli took the reins and
quickly pacied the squad. Via some stunning
performances, Chiles star players regained
their form. Argentine Sampaoli is the closest
thing to Bielsa around: his tactical vision,
training methods and even his way of speaking
are something of a photocopy of El Loco.
An undeserved 1-0 defeat to Germany in
March proved that Chile are not that far from
the top level, either. Few times has a team
put us under so much pressure, conceded
Germany coach Joachim Low.
THE PERCEPTION
With Spain and Holland in the same group,
Chile are doomed. They lack experience and

30 World Cup Preview 2014 FourFourTwo.com

depend on a physical style that has no chance

against the likes of Iniesta and Robben.

JORGE
SAMPAOLI
Having led
Universidad de
Chile to three
league titles
andthe Copa
Sudamericana,
Sampaoli was
appointed Chiles
national coach
in2012 and has
built a side that
attacks at pace.

THE REALITY
Tactically, Spain and Holland are the two best
opponents Chile could ask for: if the Chileans
breakneck game plan succeeds, the Europeans
will have trouble
keeping the ball
and imposing their
patient approach.
Chile struggle more
when opponents sit
back and counter.
THE
MASTERPLAN
Run, run, run. As a
Bielsa clone, Sampaoli
likes a 3-3-1-3 (as well
as a 3-4-3 or 3-5-2)
that can be suicidal but
often devastating.

WorldMags.net

VERDICT
Chile could upset one of Spain or Holland, but
are unlikely to beat them both. Third place in
a harsh group seems to be the likely outcome,
but with the tournament in South America,
qualifying in second ahead of the
Dutch and facing Brazil in
the last 16 is a real possibility.
KEY PLAYER
Versatile Juventus midelder
Arturo Vidal (left) has played
sweeper, right-back, right
wing, central mideld,
left mideld
and even
upfront
without
disappointing.
If he can keep his
notorious temper in check, Chile
could surprise a few people.

Read more at TheGuide.FourFourTwo.com

shades of direct old green and gold end there:

Australia play out from the back via keeper
Mat Ryans ne distribution, using neat
passing and a fashionable pressing game.
STRENGTHS
Young Tom Rogic is a blossoming alternative to
Marco Bresciano (above) as playmaker. Mark
Milligan and Mile Jedinak direct Postecoglous
pressing possession game in mideld while
youngsters such as Oar, Mathew Leckie and
Rogic can alleviate the burden on Cahill.

AUSTRALIA
Life is less like a box of chocolates (which
usually has a avour guide to limit the
unpredictability factor) and more akin to
Australias World Cup squad. Coach Ange
Postecoglou will have been in charge for
just three friendlies by the time the World
Cup comes around, so its hard to know how
the Socceroos will shape up in Brazil.
Postecoglous predecessor, Holger Osieck,
was sacked in October after losing 6-0 in
consecutive friendlies against Brazil and
France. The new coachs squad is young with
an element of experimentalism: Australia have
no players appearing regularly at a big club.
Renewed positivity is the only clear message
to emerge from Postecoglous 1-0 win over
Costa Rica in November and the 4-3 defeat
to Ecuador in March even if Australia did
blow a three-goal lead.
THE PERCEPTION
A 34-year-old Timmy Canute Cahills
headed corners will not repel the tide of

Spanish-Dutch-Chilean domination.
In April, fans of the tournaments
lowest-ranked nation still had only
vague notions of their World Cup
starting XI; Postecoglous pups
are a squad with one eye on
the 2015 Asian Cup.

ANGE
POSTECOGLOU
His Brisbane
Roar passed and
moved through
36 unbeaten
games in
2011-12. The
leagues most
successful coach
rejuvenates
teams and picks
personnel to suit
his philosophy.

THE REALITY
Pre-tournament
game plans hint that Cahills melon
maynot be the only fruit. Australias
opponents will be no more familiar with
them than they are with each other.
Adaring approach could see Australia
inject some extra zing into Group B.
THE MASTERPLAN
Like Osiecks Oz, Postecoglous side
play 4-2-3-1. Before the Ecuador
friendly, the coach told winger Tommy
Oar (main picture): Whip it in early and
bank on Timmy being there. But the

WorldMags.net

WEAKNESSES
In April, Postecoglou was still building a new
core. Australias pressing is unrehearsed, their
possession untuned. Cutting out crosses to
Cahill may shut them down completely and
the defence is vulnerable to pace. Theyll be
missing their star man, too: Bayer Leverkusen
winger Robbie Kruse is injured.
LESSONS FROM QUALIFYING
Late goals seven minutes from time, when it
came to clinching qualication seem to be
aSocceroo trademark. Theyll be toughened
up by their gruelling qualication campaign,
their second as part of the Asian Football
Confederation since leaving Oceania.
VERDICT
Bottom. But with the coachs
attitude, fearlessness and the
traditional Aussie two ngers
to adversity, they may yet
prevent the rest of Group B
from thinking three
points are nailed on.
KEY PLAYER
A talisman for New York
Red Bulls, Cahill (left) was
undimmed in the friendly
against Ecuador at the tip of a
4-2-3-1. The former Everton man
became Australias all-time top
scorer in that game, his two
strikes taking him to 31
goals from his 67 caps.

Watch the World Cup with

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WorldMags.net

FIXTURES
Colombia vs Greece
June 14
Belo Horizonte
5pm (BST) BBC

Ivory Coast vs Japan

June 15
Recife
2am ITV

Colombia vs Ivory Coast

June 19
Brasilia
5pm BBC

Japan vs Greece
June 19
Natal
11pm BBC

Greece vs Ivory Coast

June 24
Fortaleza
9pm BBC

Japan vs Colombia
June 24
Cuiaba
9pm BBC

WorldMags.net

FourFourTwo.com World Cup Preview 2014 33

GROUP C

COLOMBIA
IVORY COAST
GREECE
JAPAN

COLOMBIA
To South Americans, its odd that Colombia are
only just returning to World Cup action after
a 16-year absence. Blessed with an abundance
of talent throughout their absence, the Tricolor
have been tough opponents for 25 years.
Colombian squads have often imploded due
to a lack of professionalism. Since Argentine
coach Jose Pekerman took over, however,
they have maximised their potential without
compromising on style or philosophy. They
qualied for Brazil with relative ease, just two
points behind leaders Argentina, with defender
Mario Yepes and striker Radamel Falcao (main
picture) invaluable leaders in the dressing room.
Falcaos knee injury might even have lifted
the pressure off a nation that remembers the
promise and tragedy of 1994, when the
would-be glory of a brilliant generation ended
with the murder of defender Andres Escobar.
THE PERCEPTION
If Falcao doesnt make it, or if he makes it but
isnt quite t enough, Colombia lose all hope.

34 World Cup Preview 2014 FourFourTwo.com

El Tigre is a national icon and the squads most

inspiring player off the pitch. His inuence on it
is enormous and nobody can replace him.

JOSE
PEKERMAN
A shrewd man
responsible for
the revolution of
Argentinas U20s
19 years ago, he
led his native
country to the
quarters in 2006.
Was on the verge
of retirement until
Colombia came
knocking in 2012.

THE REALITY
The same was said about Atletico Madrid this
season, but a redeployed Diego Costa has lled
the gap quite well. Colombia have a roster of
ne strikers in Jackson Martinez, Teo Gutierrez,
Dorlan Pabon and Carlos Bacca. A t Falcao is
great and will boost team spirit signicantly,
but the rst XI can survive without him.
THE MASTERPLAN
Like his 2006 Argentina side, Pekermans team
play at a deceptively slow pace, lulling teams
into a trap as Colombia switch from seemingly
ineffective possession to incisive attacking at
the drop of a hat. The teams core is its highly
technical mideld, with Monacos gifted
James Rodriguez pulling the strings in
a 4-3-1-2. If the weather is hot, Colombia will
relish suffocating more pasty opponents.

WorldMags.net

Even if Falcao
doesnt make it,
the team should
reach the last 16
STRENGTHS
Having the ball is a religion in Colombia. With
midelders Fredy Guarin, Macnelly Torres and
Rodriguez, this generation respects tradition
but sprinkles in a change of rhythm thanks to
pacy full-back options Juan Camilo Zuniga,
Pablo Armero and Juan Guillermo Cuadrado.
WEAKNESSES
Distractions on and off the pitch. Pekerman
has improved concentration levels and even
brought in a psychologist to improve the sides

Colombian most likely to... samba dance on the pitch? Find out at TheGuide.FourFourTwo.com

THE 60-SECOND DOSSIER

3

3
Cuadrado

4
Rodriguez

14

15

Falcao

6
7

Pabon

4
Guarin

OWon by two or more goals

OWon by one goal
OScore draw
OGoalless draw
OLost by one goal
OLost by two or more goals

Martinez

SCORERS SINCE
LAST WORLD CUP

Gutierrez

RESULTS SINCE
LAST WORLD CUP

20-YEAR FIFA RANKING

1
4

5
9

10

11

10

15
18

20 19

16

31

40

39

36

28

27

26

44

60
80

19

23

35
50

95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14

IN NUMBERS

Colombia kept seven clean

sheets, the most by any
side during the CONMEBOL
qualication group phase.

43

James Rodrguez created

more chances than any
other player during
CONMEBOL qualication.

Stats provided by

Falcao scored nine goals in

qualifying (two behind Luis
Suarez), averaging a goal
every 121 minutes.

STATS ZONE SAYS:

Jackson: attacking dashboard v Atletico
In Jackson Martinez, Colombia have a goal
threat even if Falcao isnt t. He averages
four goals every ve games for Porto and
brings team-mates into play, too: see his
lay-offs at home against Atletico Madrid.

mental attitude. He has chosen Sao Paulos

training facilities to isolate the team from the
distractions of fans and journalists as much
as possible. The short temper of striker Teo
Gutierrez will also need to be watched: for
all his talent he has been known to divide
dressing rooms at club level.
LESSONS FROM
QUALIFYING
Its not just about
technical players:
Colombia have
a strong defensive unit. They ended
qualifying with seven clean sheets in
16 games, shipping only 13 goals in
total the fewest in the group. The
shutouts were aided by the impressive
form of Nice keeper David Ospina.
VERDICT
Against Greece, Ivory Coast and Japan,
Colombia shouldnt have any problems

qualifying for the next round, as Pekermans

wry smile during the nals draw suggested.
Winning two games and making the round of
16 would constitute Colombias best ever
World Cup. And if they can get up
a head of steam, they could go
deep into the tournament.

PLAYER INTERVIEW

TEO GUTIERREZ
Falcaos injury was a big blow.
How did the players feel when
they found out about it?
It was hard. We are all like
brothers and nobody expected
it. Hes a great leader, a great
person, a wonderful team-mate
and our top scorer. Ive learned
a lot from him and we form a
good partnership. His attitude
and desire to do as much
as possible to
recover in time
is inspiring. He
deserves to be at
the World Cup.
Colombias last
World Cup was
16 years ago.
What should
the world be
expecting?
It was a long
wait but this group achieved
[qualication] and we all feel
very proud. Weve fought lots of
problems for many years. Now
weve qualied, well do all it
takes to be in the next phase.
And if we qualify, who knows?
We are capable of being the
surprise of the World Cup.
Do you agree that Colombia
have one of the easier groups?
Japan, Ivory Coast and Greece
have more recent World Cup
experience than us and we
must respect that. They are
three difcult sides to face.
Its a very balanced group.
The friendly game against
Tunisia, for example, was very
difcult and we didnt play the
football we are used to. We
know that we cant make
mistakes in a World Cup.

What impact has coach Jose

Pekerman had on the team?
Hes given us condence
individually and his experience
has been useful in moulding us
into the team we are now its
like a big family. You can sense
things are going well. Im a man
of faith and I believe well have
a good World Cup with him. We
have always had players with
good feet, as we
say here, but now
we also have a
winning mentality.
Pekerman called
on you despite
the reputation
you had as a
troublemaker
at club level
I will always be
grateful to The
Professor. He gave me his
condence. Sometimes things
are published that arent true
or blown out of proportion.
Only those inside the dressing
room know. Im happy to be at
River Plate, a club Ive always
supported since I was a boy.
Whats your real position? You
look like a classic No.9 but
seem more comfortable
playing behind the striker
I started as an attacking
midelder, then a winger and
then a forward. I like to have
a striker with me so I can move
and nd more spaces around
him. I think that suits me
best. I feel more
comfortable when
I dont have to
be a targetman
in the box.

KEY PLAYER
James Rodriguez (left).
Hames, as he is known by
Colombians, is his countrys
best player when Monaco
club-mate Falcao isnt
around. The playmaker
showed his effectiveness
by scoring the opener in
three qualiers. Quick,
tough and an accurate
passer with a vicious shot,
J-Rod makes things happen; his
signicance will be magnied if
Falcao doesnt make the cut.

WorldMags.net

FourFourTwo.com World Cup Preview 2014 35

GROUP C

COLOMBIA
IVORY COAST
GREECE
JAPAN

IVORY COAST
Unbeaten during qualication, and having
lost just three matches (two of which were
friendlies) out of 41 since the last World Cup,
Ivory Coast head to Brazil in condent mood.
Buoyed by nally sidestepping the dreaded
groups of death they encountered in 2006 and
2010, there is a one-last-push, kindred sense
of mission, as this tournament signals the
beginning of the end for many members of the
Elephants golden generation, most notably
captain colossal, striker Didier Drogba.
A commendable 2-2 draw away to Belgium
in their latest friendly, wherein they came back
from two goals down, has given the side
further belief that they will nally be able to
stamp their authority on the world stage.

THE PERCEPTION
Ageing Ivorian greats who will have to
turbo-charge their Zimmer frames if theyre
to get past the group stage. Do they have the
energy and hunger to cope with high-intensity
international tournament football?

36 World Cup Preview 2014 FourFourTwo.com

SABRI
LAMOUCHI
A diligent
midelder in his
playing days, the
former France
international has
won the hearts
and minds of the
players, but not
those of the
Ivorian public,
due largely to his
lack of experience.

THE REALITY
A decent blend
of vitality and
experience. Serge
Aurier, the precocious
Toulouse right-back, is a
agbearer of the youthfulness.
Of the old guard, only Kolo
Toure looks a little past it, and
he is no longer a likely starter.

THE MASTERPLAN
Physically impressive and
technically capable, Ivory
Coast are combative in
mideld and cultured in
the attacking areas of
their 4-3-3. Endowed
with a revitalised
Gervinhos trickery
and energetic
full-backs, their
attacks feature

WorldMags.net

intricate wing-play followed by cut-backs into

the box for the runs of Yaya Toure or high
crosses for the aerial prowess of Drogba.

STRENGTHS
Team chemistry. The core of the squad has
played together for 20 years, back to the
fabled academy of Ivorian giants ASEC
Mimosas. Not only is there togetherness,
but the football can be very cohesive.

WEAKNESSES
A leaky defence. Tupac doppelganger
Boubacar Barry has rarely been an assuring
presence between the sticks, despite his vast
experience. Former midelder Didier Zokora
is capable at centre-back but might struggle
against top-quality strikers. His partner Sol
Bamba is error-prone, too, and the options
at left-back are all too attack-minded.

LESSONS FROM QUALIFYING

With forwards at their disposal including
Drogba, Wilfried Bony and Lacina Traore to
name just a few, scoring goals is not
a problem. Keeping clean sheets,
however, is and when you
look at the level of their
opposition on the road to
Brazil, this is a concern.

VERDICT
The second round. The
Ivorian attack can take the team
far, even pull them out of trouble,
but eventually the defence will leave
the strikers with too much to do.

KEY PLAYER
Yaya Toure (left). The Manchester City
man-mountains mix of penetrative
and patient passing and invaluable
match-winning ability make him the
sides fulcrum. After ourishing
in a more attacking role since
leaving Barcelona, hes
been given the
freedom to
charge forward
for his country
and delivered.

Read more at TheGuide.FourFourTwo.com

STRENGTHS
At the back, where Sokratis Papastathopoulos
of Dortmund and Romas Vasilis Torosidis are
commanding gures, there is real commitment
to win the ball and cover should a team-mate
get beaten. The Greeks experience cant be
underestimated, and they relish tight matches.
WEAKNESSES
A distinct dearth of creativity in mideld. Only
the 37-year-old Giorgos Karagounis seems
to be able to deliver a telling pass. Greece
struggle when chasing a match; if they
concede rst, there isnt much of a Plan B.
LESSONS FROM QUALIFYING
The team should focus on their play-off
performances against Romania only
then did Greece open up a bit and go
looking for goals. The approach paid
off and helped to erase memories of
alethargic qualifying campaign.

GREECE
The Greeks head to the World Cup as one of
the more unpredictable teams. Its hard to
fathom which Greece will show up from game
to game: the one that fashioned aseries of
soporic performances in Europes Group G,
nishing second to Bosnia & Herzegovina on
goal difference, or the side that rose to the
occasion and were actually rather watchable
in their play-off victory over Romania?
Fernando Santos men tend to save their
best for the big stage, so it wouldnt be a huge
surprise to see them challenge for a place
in the knockout rounds. The worry is that
despite their superb team spirit and vast
experience in major tournaments, the quality
might just be lacking this time around.
THE PERCEPTION
Purveyors of football from a bygone era. A side
that masks their shortcomings by defending
en masse and hoping to nick something from
a set-piece. Aesthetics be damned, bore to
win. In other words: the Euro 2004 blueprint.

THE
REALITY
A plucky group
whose collective determination has
yielded results, this is a team that has
punched above their weight for over a
decade. Greece arent always attractive
to watch, but neutrals can at least
admire the teams heart and guts.

FERNANDO
SANTOS
A shrewd tactician
who is good at
reading a match
and making the
right changes.
The Portuguese
could be seen as
pragmatic, but he
likes to mix it up
and will take risks
to get his side
back into a game.

THE MASTERPLAN
Santos has experimented with
different formations, but the tried
and trusted 4-3-3 will remain
rst choice. Counter-attack is the
Greeks main offensive weapon,
but when the team does get
on the ball, Georgios Samaras
(main picture) has the vital
ability to bring team-mates into
attack. Which is just as well,
because his own goalscoring record
eight in 71 internationals is awful.

WorldMags.net

THE VERDICT
A shock
win over
Colombia in
the opener
is required
to go on a run in this
tournament. But the reality
is that Greece will probably
struggle against their
Group C opponents. They
wont be embarrassed, but
an early exit beckons.
KEY PLAYER
Premier League watchers have
yet to see Kostas Mitroglou (left)
at his best, but the Fulham
striker is Greeces biggest
hope for goals. This, coupled with
his hold-up play and creativity in
the penalty area, will be key to
Greek hopes if they are to
escape the group stages.

GROUP C

COLOMBIA
GREECE
IVORY COAST
JAPAN

STRENGTHS
Few teams now outdo Japan in terms of
possession. With quick passing, movement
and pace all around the pitch, they dont stop
pressing and pushing forward and have the
players to carve open the tightest of defences.
WEAKNESSES
Japan can struggle when defending set-pieces,
and, as settled as the rst team has become,
there are concerns back home about staleness
creeping in. The rst XI is strong but injuries in
certain positions would be a major problem.
They can also be wasteful in front of goal.
LESSONS FROM QUALIFYING
Zaccheroni could have tested a few more
players during their textbook qualifying
campaign. Japan were aided by a generous
schedule that offered three winnable home
games in the rst half of the draw, but the
team still took their chances admirably.

JAPAN
Japan have evolved since missing out on the
quarter-nals in 2010; Alberto Zaccheronis
settled team won the Asian Cup and became
the rst nation to qualify for the World Cup,
doing so without fuss. Japans best players are
in the biggest leagues and the fact that not all
play every week is not necessarily a bad thing,
although an injury to captain Makoto Hasebe
of Nuremberg is a worry, even if he may be t.
Since qualication, Zaccheroni has looked to
test his charges against tougher sides. Results
have been mixed beating Belgium, drawing
with Holland, losing to Belarus but there is
a quiet condence that the Samurai Blue
can have their best World Cup yet.
THE PERCEPTION
Play pretty football while lacking the killer
instinct that separates the men from the boys.
Japan are easy on the eye, with plenty of
technical ability, but can be brushed aside by
more streetwise and aggressive international
operators. Dare we say style over substance?

38 World Cup Preview 2014 FourFourTwo.com

THE REALITY
The Asian champions have been together
for years, are full of European experience
and are one of the best teams in the
world on the ball. Well-coached and
highly organised, they believe they
can beat anyone on their day.

ALBERTO
ZACCHERONI
Took the job in
September 2010
and four months
later won the
Asian Cup. The
Italian has stayed
loyal to those
players, by and
large, allowing
Japan to eld
a team as settled
as any in Brazil.

THE MASTERPLAN
Japan like to pass
through the
middle, with
Keisuke Honda
the fulcrum just behind the striker in
a 4-2-3-1 formation. Full-backs Yuto
Nagatomo of Inter and Schalkes
Atsuto Uchida support the attack
superbly, while the unappable
Hasebe dictates the tempo
from deep in mideld. Once
the ball nds its way into the
Samurai Blues possession,
it isnt given up easily.

WorldMags.net

VERDICT
Japan would struggle playing three times
a week in the knockouts, but they can
beat the best on their day. Negotiate
a tricky group and they could reach the
last eight but with the presence of
the Ivory Coast, its a big if.
KEY PLAYER
Keisuke Honda
(left) plays
in the hole,
keeping
Manchester
Uniteds
Shinji
Kagawa
(main picture)
on the left. Much of
Japans attacking play
goes through the Milan
man. Some argue he
slows down play, but
Hondas vision, skill
and understanding with
Kagawa and Mainzs Shinji
Okazaki to his right are
crucial to Japans chances.

FIXTURES
Uruguay vs Costa Rica
June 14
Fortaleza
8pm (BST) ITV

England vs Italy
June 14
Manaus
11pm BBC

Uruguay vs England
June 19
Sao Paulo
8pm ITV

Italy vs Costa Rica

June 20
Recife
5pm BBC

Costa Rica vs England

June 24
Belo Horizonte
5pm ITV

Italy vs Uruguay
June 24
Natal
5pm ITV

WorldMags.net

FourFourTwo.com World Cup Preview 2014 39

GROUP D

ENGLAND
ITALY
URUGUAY
COSTA RICA

ENGLAND
When England sealed their World Cup nals
berth back in October, the general feeling was
that, whatever happened this time around, it
couldnt possibly be worse than 2010. The
Three Lions showing in South Africa was
nothing short of abysmal. They scraped
through a favourable group featuring the USA,
Algeria and Slovenia, only to be gubbed in
routine fashion by Germany in the last 16.
In Brazil, they wont have to wait so long
to face what most would consider superior
opposition: their rst two matches are
against Euro 2012 nalists Italy and
South American champions Uruguay.
Now theres a feeling things actually could
be worse, with some doom-mongers even
predicting England will be out before their
third match against Costa Rica. England will
seek inspiration from skipper Steven Gerrard
coming off the back of his best season in years
and spark from youngsters such as Ross
Barkley and Raheem Sterling, both relatively
unknown quantities on the international stage.

40 World Cup Preview 2014 FourFourTwo.com

ROY HODGSON
Outwardly
mild-mannered
and inoffensive,
Hodgson has
some tough
decisions to make
if England are to
progress. His
squad lacks the
defensive solidity
of Euro 2012 but
is blessed with
more repower.

THE PERCEPTION
The same old story. Theyll turn up expecting
to win the whole thing, roared on by a
tub-thumping national press and a giddy,
ag-waving public. But their rigid, naive 4-4-2
and failure to adapt to the rather un-British
weather conditions will mean theyre certain
to be back in Blighty before the postcards.
THE REALITY
Expectations of an England team going into a
World Cup have never been lower. The general
consensus is that Brazil 2014 will be primarily
a learning experience. Thats not to say they
wont be prepared warm-weather training
and a well-rehearsed 4-2-3-1 system suggest
they shouldnt wilt entirely.
THE MASTERPLAN
Liverpools free-scoring success during 2013-14
appears to have encouraged Roy Hodgson to
cram as many of the Aneld sides front six
into his side as possible. This means Daniel

WorldMags.net

The abundance
of young, swift
widemen could
come in handy
Sturridge (main picture) upfront, Sterling wide
and a deeper role for Gerrard. There might
even be a place for the previously maligned,
but currently ying, Jordan Henderson.
STRENGTHS
Having a squad packed with inexperience may
not sound like a good thing, but in Englands
case it means there are far fewer mental scars
from previous failures. Hodgson also has an
abundance of young, swift widemen at his
disposal, which could come in handy,

Englishman most likely to... relax with some psychedelic rock? Find out at TheGuide.FourFourTwo.com

THE 60-SECOND DOSSIER

8

Welbeck

Defoe

Young

OWon by two or more goals

OWon by one goal
OScore draw
OGoalless draw
OLost by one goal
OLost by two or more goals

Lampard

10

13

SCORERS SINCE
LAST WORLD CUP

Rooney

RESULTS SINCE
LAST WORLD CUP

9
13

20-YEAR FIFA RANKING

1
5

5
10

13

15
20 21

7
11

12

14

12

12

10

11

12

24

40
60
80

95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14

IN NUMBERS

31

Only Germany (36) and

Holland (34) scored more
goals than England (31)
in European qualifying.

12

Stats provided by

England had 12 different

goalscorers during
qualication, with Wayne
Rooney bagging seven.

67

Rooneys minutes per goal

in qualication Europes
third best among those
who scored at least ve.

STATS ZONE SAYS:

Daniel Sturridge: dashboard v Swansea
The Liverpool forward, still only 24, offers
two key ingredients: the precise passing
required to contribute to attacks and
apresence in the box to nish them off.
Both were on display in this 4-3 home win.

particularly in the latter stages of games

against ageing defences, such as Italys.
WEAKNESSES
The ipside to that youthful
exuberance is that, of the likely
starters, only Wayne Rooney and
Gerrard have form when it comes
to international goals. Sturridge
hasnt yet performed
in an England shirt as
well as he has in the
red of Liverpool and
hell need to if England
are to escape Group D.
LESSONS FROM QUALIFYING
England drew their rst four qualifying
matches against competent opposition
(Ukraine twice, Poland and Montenegro). In a
tight, even group, the key was to avoid defeat.
Drawing with Italy and Uruguay before beating
Costa Rica could see them through Group D.

VERDICT
Englands chances hinge on their rst match
against Italy. Lose, and its hard to see a way
back; win or draw, and they should make it to
the knockouts. They can do it but will they?
KEY PLAYER
Wayne Rooneys club might have
endured a poor season, but
his Manchester United
performances have been
a positive. Having once
been Englands boy
wonder, Wazza (left) is
now one of the old timers,
having appeared in four
major tournaments. While
Rooney has been a great
source of goals for England
since making his senior debut in
2003, he hasnt scored in eight
World Cup nals games. Hell be
desperate to put that right in Brazil.

PLAYER INTERVIEW

DANNY WELBECK
What are you most looking
forward to about Brazil?
Just playing in the World Cup,
having that experience and
getting into and playing in the
best tournament in the world.
Obviously its something that I
think all young kids dream of
when theyre growing up.
Have you
seen much of
Brazil before?
I went to Brazil
for the last
friendly last year.
I was injured at
the time and
didnt get my
chance to be
on the pitch.
But it was a
good experience going there
and seeing the culture and
having a few glimpses around,
so it wont be something
completely new to me when I
get there this time, hopefully.
What did you think of
Brazil? Did you feel like
its the home of football?
To be honest we didnt really
see places like the favelas, but
hopefully we might get to see
them this time. We were staying
just opposite the Copacabana
so we saw a lot of the younger
generation playing football on
the beach there and it was class.
You were on
the scoresheet
at Euro 2012
for England
with a lovely
goal. What
did you
learn about
tournament
football
during that
competition?
I went into that

WorldMags.net

tournament just knowing that

its going to be like any other
football game really. Its the
same, every single game is
the same whoever you come
up against youve got to be
mentally prepared, and
physically, and youve got to
really play the game and not
the occasion.
When I went
to Euro 2012
I was just focused
on doing well
and doing
the best I can.
Is your approach
different when
its a condensed
tournament?
Ive had that
experience in the past with the
younger England age groups,
which I think gets you in the
right mentality. You obviously
develop the experience of
learning how to cope with the
different training, while the
games come thick and fast
and you learn how to prepare
yourself for the next game.
Do you ever get bored
in those scenarios and
how do you unwind?
You do get bored sometimes
but its good to have some
banter in the camp and at
Euro 2012 I had Jordan
Henderson out there whos
one of my best friends,
from when I was at
Sunderland, so we
were just always
there chilling
out together.
Also with
everyone in the
camp generally
it was a really
good camaraderie
and everyone had
a really good time.

FourFourTwo.com World Cup Preview 2014 41

GROUP D

ENGLAND
ITALY
URUGUAY
COSTA RICA

ITALY
The 2014 Azzurri arent as Juventus-reliant as
some of the previous vintages, but the Turin
club still tends to make up the wily Italian
back line, including veteran keeper Gigi Buffon.
Juves poor Champions League showing,
however, sums up the challenge facing Cesare
Prandelli: while Antonio Contes team are one
of Italys more progressive sides, Serie A clubs
have struggled in Europe, wrong-footed by
a faster pressing game that counteracts their
thoughtful but pedestrian approach. Prandelli
has criticised the Italian mentality in ways Roy
Hodgson, for example, could never get away
with in England but it does seem necessary.
Persuading his charges to change their
collective mindset will be absolutely crucial if
Italy are to maintain their nations ne World
Cup traditions. However, forward Giuseppe
Rossis rotten luck with injuries could well see
the loss of a key player upfront. The Fiorentina
man was set to play alongside Mario Balotelli,
providing much-needed balance and pace.
At the time of writing, calls for bang in-form

42 World Cup Preview 2014 FourFourTwo.com

Antonio Cassano to replace him are starting

to reach deafening volume.

CESARE
PRANDELLI
The 56-year-old
boss has a quiet
authority that the
players respond
to. Think of your
favourite teacher
at school; the one
you never wanted
to let down. And
yes, even Super
Mario sees him
in that way.

THE PERCEPTION
Italians are in the results business; theyll be
there or thereabouts. Caution pays is the
mantra of an ageing team reliant on defence
and reluctant to take the attacking initiative
against opposition, no matter how inferior.
Theyll slow the game down and look to nick
one while people around the world nod off.
THE REALITY
Probably not far off the perception. However,
this Italy are quite capable of running at you
from the get-go if you allow them to. Look out
for younger faces, with Romas Mattia Destro
and Torinos Ciro Immobile fast-tracked from
the Under-21s to offer nifty, less Italian options.
THE MASTERPLAN
Italy tend to stick with 4-3-1-2, which works
best for Rossi, with the mideld protecting

WorldMags.net

Playing keep-ball
could give the
Azzurri an edge
in the humidity
metronome Andrea Pirlo (main picture)
and allowing the inconsistent Riccardo
Montolivo to play as a trequartista.
STRENGTHS
Basic stuff such as impeccable technique and
being comfortable on the ball remain Italys
trump cards. English fans might see it as
tantamount to cheating, but playing keep-ball
could give the Azzurri the edge in Manaus
suffocating humidity. Pirlo remains majestic
at set-pieces (and almost everything else).

Italian most likely to... make Balotelli look like a saint? Find out at TheGuide.FourFourTwo.com

THE 60-SECOND DOSSIER

7

Cassano

De Rossi

Pirlo

Osvaldo

G Rossi

12

12

OWon by two or more goals

OWon by one goal
OScore draw
OGoalless draw
OLost by one goal
OLost by two or more goals

SCORERS SINCE
LAST WORLD CUP

Balotelli

RESULTS SINCE
LAST WORLD CUP

4
10
14

20-YEAR FIFA RANKING

1
5

2
7

10
15

14

12

14

11

5
8

10
13

12

PLAYER INTERVIEW

IGNAZIO ABATE
How do you look back on
your experience of being
part of the Azzurri squad that
played so well at Euro 2012?
Its always a great privilege
to wear the Azzurri shirt
and every experience I have
had playing for the national
team has been
a memorable
one. Euro 2012
was the biggest
stage I have
played on so
far for Italy.

20
40
60
80

95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14

IN NUMBERS

Number of qualifying
campaigns out of the
last ve that Italy have
gone undefeated in.

Stats provided by

Italy failed to win a single

game at the 2010 World
Cup after winning the
2006 tournament.

15

Italy have lost just 15

of their 80 World Cup
nals games, lifting
the trophy four times.

STATS ZONE SAYS:

Andrea Pirlo: all passes v Napoli (H)
Over the hill? No way. Pirlo may be 35 soon
but he can still control a tie. In Juves 3-0
win over Napoli he made three chances,
completed 90 per cent of his passes and
scored a typically majestic free-kick.

WEAKNESSES
There can be a distinct lack of mobility,
especially in what can be an occasionally
anaemic mideld. Pirlos game has never
been box-to-box, but hes struggled in
recent friendlies to link the defence and
mideld with the attack. Its perhaps
notable that Juventus rst-choice
strike partnership is non-Italian.
LESSONS FROM
QUALIFYING
Italy won their group in relatively
straightforward fashion, nishing
six points clear of Denmark, but
they made hard work of it at times.
Theyre unable to shut up shop as
they used to, highlighting the lack
of depth in the squad, particularly in
defence. In a tight group, theyll need
to look beyond their own comfort zone
and come up with a Plan B for when
cagey tactics arent working.

VERDICT
Its worth recalling that the Italy who won
the World Cup in 2006 were unfancied.
Nevertheless, this Italy sits in that second
group of possible winners some way
behind the four favourites. They
will doubtless get out of the
group stages possibly even
as winners but will be doing
well to progress all the way.
KEY PLAYER
Mario Balotelli (left) says hes
going to Brazil to enjoy himself.
Milan have had a grim season,
and the player will don his Azzurri
shirt with relief, happy to leave
behind the San Siro soap operas.
Prandelli has told his star striker
to relax and feel the love. It wont
all be plain sailing with Mario,
things never are but this could be
the perfect stage for him to shine.

And what was

the mood in the
Italian squad
like going into
the Euros?
We started the tournament
with a lot of doubts around us
but we showed our strength as
a group with our performances.
Our unity helped us to achieve
some fantastic results, beating
teams such as England and
Germany before coming up
against the best team in
the world in Spain.
How happy have you been
with your own form for
AC Milan this season ahead
of the World Cup? Have the
clubs struggles affected
you personally?
It has been a strange
season for AC Milan and
a disappointing one in terms
of results. Well have to see
as a club where we can nish
in Serie A and, for myself,
then decide my future.
How hopeful are you of
winning a place in Italys
World Cup squad? How
much would it mean
to you to play at
a World Cup?
There is always
great competition
to get into the
Italian squad with
so many strong
and talented
players to
choose from.
Im hoping to

WorldMags.net

go to Brazil, though, because I

have been in the squad for
many years with Prandelli as
manager, and was pretty much
an ever-present during the
qualication rounds. He
[Prandelli] knows what
I can offer to the team.
And what do
you make of
your World Cup
group? Surely
the squad must
have let out
a groan when
you were pitted
against Uruguay,
England and
Costa Rica?
It is a very difcult
group, of course, especially with
top-class opponents such as
England and Uruguay.
How hard do you expect
the conditions to be for the
players in Brazil? Surely it
wont help notorious
slow starters Italy
I think the climate, humidity
and temperatures in Brazil will
take some getting used to,
which will make things harder,
especially for the European
teams. Getting off to a good
start and picking up points in
our rst game is important. If
we lose the rst group match,
the situation could become
complicated for us.
Having already beaten
England at Euro 2012, will
that give Italy some kind
of psychological advantage
going into the game?
I dont think we have a special
psychological advantage
over England. Euro
2012 was one story
and this World Cup
is a new story. The
England team has
changed quite a bit
since Euro 2012, so
when we play them,
the match starts 0-0
and past results
wont count for
anything.

FourFourTwo.com World Cup Preview 2014 43

GROUP D

ENGLAND
ITALY
URUGUAY
COSTA RICA

URUGUAY
Uruguayans have been dreaming about
Maracanazo (The Maracana Blow) ever since
it happened. Their shock 2-1 victory in the
1950 World Cup in Brazil, with 175,000 people
cheering against them, fuelled the countrys
self-esteem and burnished the resilient
character of its people. In many ways it
denes this nation of just 3.4 million
people; never write off the Uruguayans.
Now they have the chance to pull off a
21st-century Maracanazo. Unlike the side that
reached the semi-nals at South Africa 2010,
this new Uruguay is built around Luis Suarez,
the man who three years ago took them to
a Copa America victory on Argentine soil,
bagging four goals in the process, and was
South Americas top scorer in the qualiers
with 11. Its time for Uruguay to show their
credentials on the biggest stage once again.
Uruguay are generally better in short
competitions than over the long run, but
la Celeste are never discouraged and remain
optimistic even after being drawn against Italy

44 World Cup Preview 2014 FourFourTwo.com

and England. If they survive to reach the

knockout rounds, Brazilians will start to sweat.
THE PERCEPTION
Unlike the 2010 World Cup, when most of the
names of the Uruguay squad were unknown,
there will now be no surprise factor favouring
them. The line-up Oscar Tabarez will use in
Brazil has changed little, and opponents will
take them more seriously this time around.

OSCAR
TABAREZ
Canny, respected
and a gentleman,
Tabarez is betting
on largely the
same squad that
made him weep
with joy in South
Africa in 2010.
I wont change
something Im
convinced of, the
coach insists.

THE REALITY
Uruguay havent changed much because they
havent needed to. After the World Cup there
will be time to think about successors to Diegos
Lugano and Forlan, but for now, the team
has an average age of 28 and some of the
squad arrive in the form of their careers.
THE MASTERPLAN
Uruguays garra (literally claw, but guratively
extreme tenacity) has been the 12th man for
decades, but has often backred. Tabarez has

WorldMags.net

Some of this
Uruguay team
arrive in the form
of their careers
tamed the team to aid concentration. With
great attacking players, the focus is simply on
not leaving gaps at the back. Fighting against
footballs superpowers, we have to take
advantage of our chances, says Tabarez, who
will see set-pieces as vital to getting goals.
STRENGTHS
With seven men defending as a unit, its
near-impossible to catch Uruguay by surprise
on the counter-attack. Commanded by general
Arevalo Rios, their mideld moves as a line

Uruguayan most likely to... drink mate in press conferences? Find out at TheGuide.FourFourTwo.com

THE 60-SECOND DOSSIER

5

Lugano

Pereira

Rodriguez

Forlan

13

Hernandez

11

26

4
1

Cavani

14

OWon by two or more goals

OWon by one goal
OScore draw
OGoalless draw
OLost by one goal
OLost by two or more goals

SCORERS SINCE
LAST WORLD CUP

Suarez

RESULTS SINCE
LAST WORLD CUP

20-YEAR FIFA RANKING

1

10
15
20
40
60
80

16
32

32

38

44

54

33

24

28

25

16
22

23

16

17

28

67
95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14

IN NUMBERS

Uruguay eased past

Jordan 5-0 on aggregate in
a play-off to qualify after
nishing 5th in qualifying.

11

Luis Suarez was top scorer

in CONMEBOL qualication,
with 11 goals in 14 games
(excluding play-offs).

Stats provided by

99

West Brom defender

Diego Lugano could win
his 99th cap for his nation
if they reach the nal.

STATS ZONE SAYS:

Luis Suarez: all shots v Norwich (H)
The criticism once levelled at Suarez that
his nishing let down his talent no longer
applies. Four strikes against Norwich, each
more stupendous than the last, showed
his ability to score every kind of goal.

while captain Lugano instructs his defenders

on when to push and when to sit back. With
Cristian Rodriguez in the side ahead of
Forlan, the team has better balance.
WEAKNESSES
One-on-ones confuse Uruguayan
defenders. They commit fouls and
struggle against pace, especially
the 33-year-old Lugano. This has
proved embarassing against
Colombia, Argentina and Bolivia
recently. Keeper Fernando Muslera
mixes crucial saves with basic errors,
especially when challenged in the air.
LESSONS FROM QUALIFYING
Its a tradition for Uruguay to struggle
during World Cup qualifying: they nished
fth in the group and had to face Jordan
in a play-off to book their ticket to Brazil. But
of all the South American nations that did
qualify, only Ecuador were able to beat them.

VERDICT
They must beat either England or Italy to
advance, so cant afford to drop points
to Costa Rica in that tricky opener. Qualify
top of the group and theyll probably avoid
Brazil until the nal. Imagine that
KEY PLAYER
You might have heard of Luis
Suarez (left). Unstoppable for
his country as well as his club,
the forward dynamo has
snatched nearly every national
record going. Last year he became
la Celestes all-time top scorer and
scored four in the destruction of Chile
(one of the best games of my life).
He has matured at Liverpool; he is more
decisive and provides more assists, and
also frees up team-mates by attracting
so many markers himself. With England
up second, hes set to become public
enemy number one all over again.

PLAYER INTERVIEW

DIEGO GODIN
The legend of Maracanazo
is giving every Uruguayan
the belief you can win the
World Cup. Do you agree?
I see that we have the chance
of competing and winning, but
because of what we are as a
team, not of what we achieved
in the past. History wont help
you win games.
Just because
Uruguay won in
Brazil in 1950
[right], that does
not mean we are
favourites now.

You eventually made it to the

World Cup but qualication
was tough what happened?
Yes, it was difcult. We had to
stand up in the nal few games
or we wouldnt have made the
play-off. But it doesnt matter
how you qualify; the important
thing is to be there because
everything starts
from scratch and
all teams have
their chance.

But when fans

speak to you in
the street, they
must surely
bring up the
1950 World Cup
Maracanazo is a big thing for
the people of Uruguay. But for
us footballers it would be a
mistake to live in the past and
not the present. Our motivation
is to perform well in the World
Cup, just as we did in South
Africa four years ago.

How difcult
will this group
of death be?
We must only
think of Costa
Rica. Its our rst
game and we
should never have
our minds on the second or
third game without having
played the rst. Thats when
distractions can happen. Its
fundamental to win that rst
game because that will leave
us with a potential advantage,
depending on the outcome
of England against Italy.

What are the differences

between the side that played
in South Africa and the one
thats going to Brazil?
That was a great World Cup for
us; nobody thought we would
get so far. But many teams had
a good chance of winning in
South Africa. This time we feel
like we have an advantage over
the European teams
because we are
closer to home.
No European
team has won
the World Cup
in South
America, but
once again,
we mustnt focus
only on history.

Will there be more pressure

on Uruguay given you were
fourth in South Africa and
won the 2011 Copa America?
I dont think so. Our style has
always remained the same
since 2006, when we started
working together. Our goal is to
advance to the second round
every team aims for the
same. If we manage
to qualify from
the group, then
a new World
Cup kicks off,
which will be
completely
different. In
one-on-one
games we can
beat anyone.

WorldMags.net

FourFourTwo.com World Cup Preview 2014 45

GROUP D

ENGLAND
ITALY
URUGUAY
COSTA RICA

Brazilians cheering them on, making them

feel like theyre playing at home.
STRENGTHS
Theyve defended staunchly since the arrival
of Pinto. I would say what we do best is that
we are never out of position, says the boss.
Weve created an annoying side to face.
When Costa Rica lose possession, theyre quick
to regain their shape and frustrate opponents.
WEAKNESSES
Able to carry out a tactical plan for 85 minutes,
Costa Rica often get distracted in the last ve.
The 4-0 thrashing they got from Chile in
January shows that once they concede
the rst goal, they are prone to collapse.

COSTA RICA
Seen as already deceased in the Group of
Death, theres almost no hope for Costa Rica.
The Ticos face three nations that have won
seven World Cups between them. The bigger
and braver the bull is, the better the bullght
gets, says coach Jorge Luis Pinto, bullishly.
I want to see a happy Costa Rica, playing
against the giants with a desire for victory.
Having already been the tournaments
revelation once, in 1990, they certainly have
no fear. In recent years theyve become
a thorn in the side of Spain (1-1) and Brazil
(narrowly losing 1-0). Focused mainly on
defending, the Ticos dont venture into the
opposition area too often, but they can make
it count when they do: no other country
scored three against the USA in qualifying.
THE PERCEPTION
Doomed. Their gameplan will be to avoid
humiliation and not concede too many.
Without real hope of advancing, they
are sure to surrender easily.

46 World Cup Preview 2014 FourFourTwo.com

JORGE
LUIS PINTO
Couldnt guide his
native Colombia
to South Africa
2010, having
failed to qualify
with Costa Rica
in 2006, but Pinto
is a man of faith:
I had a dream
we were playing
Colombia in the
Maracana.

THE REALITY
Were far from thinking that we
will be the laughing stock, blasts
Pinto. The jerseys never play,
otherwise football would be
too boring. With the vision of
Fulhams Bryan Ruiz (above
right) and the nishing of
Alvaro Saborio (main
picture), they can
at least give it a go.
THE MASTERPLAN
Overcrowding the
mideld is Costa Ricas
best chance to frustrate
opponents. They play
with three at the back and
one striker, deploying plenty of
between-the-lines players in
tricky 3-6-1 variations.
Knowing theyre the weakest
team, they expect to have

WorldMags.net

LESSONS FROM QUALIFYING

After so-so performances in a group
containing Mexico, El Salvador and Guyana,
the Ticos improved dramatically in the nal
phase of CONCACAF qualifying, nishing
second to the USA. Unbeaten at home, they
need to create a partisan atmosphere to shed
any fear. Avoiding an early drubbing will help.
VERDICT
No chance of making the
knockouts and likely to receive
a tonking or two, they will at
least be able to play without
expectation, and may pull
off an unlikely result that
proves fatal to either
Italy, Uruguay or England.
KEY PLAYER
Keylor Navas (left).
Just as Costa Rica
stopper Luis Conejo
lit up Italia 90,
Navas could
surprise people
at Brazil 2014.
Frequently
man of the
match for
club (Levante in La Liga)
and country, hell be
in the shop window
for bigger European
sides this summer.

FIXTURES
Switzerland vs Ecuador
June 15
Brasilia
5pm (BST) ITV

France vs Honduras
June 15
Porto Alegre
8pm BBC

Switzerland vs France
June 20
Salvador
8pm ITV

Honduras vs Ecuador
June 20
Curitiba
11pm ITV

Ecuador vs France
June 25
Rio de Janeiro
9pm BBC

Honduras vs Switzerland
June 25
Manaus
9pm BBC

WorldMags.net

FourFourTwo.com World Cup Preview 2014 47

GROUP E

FRANCE
SWITZERLAND
ECUADOR
HONDURAS

FRANCE
Frances World Cup campaigns have alternated
neatly between triumph and disaster in the
last 20 years; whatever they have achieved
since 1994s non-qualication (win/disgraceful
rst-round exit/harsh defeat in the nal/
disgraceful rst-round exit) has been pretty
much the opposite of what was expected of
them at the time the draw was made. This
time could be different: Les Bleus look neither
rubbish nor world-beaters. They nished
second in their qualifying group when that was
all they aspired to, given that Spain who they
gave a real fright in a 1-1 draw came top.
All of Didier Deschampss key players have
enjoyed excellent seasons and they showed
tenacity to overturn a 2-0 reverse against
Ukraine in the play-offs, a result that
Deschamps hopes will provide a springboard
to greater things in Brazil.
PERCEPTION
Nobody in France believes that France will win
the World Cup. And nobody in France would

48 World Cup Preview 2014 FourFourTwo.com

disagree with Arsene Wenger on this.

Qualication for the last 16 from a modest
group is well within this teams capacities, but
beyond? A place in the quarters would be
satisfactory and show that the ghosts of
South Africa have been exorcised.

DIDIER
DESCHAMPS
Moulded in Italy,
football to DD is
all about winning.
He is tactically
astute and
exible, but can
be stubborn in his
selections. Thisll
be a France side
in his image: not
easy on the eye
but tricky to beat.

REALITY
Predictably unpredictable, France have
regained their esprit de corps. Deschamps has
taken a page from Aime Jacquets 1998 book:
squad unity is paramount, which might cost
afew stars their place. Finding defensive
stability will be key as France have a
formidable mideld and two exceptional
forwards in Karim Benzema and Franck Ribery.
THE MASTERPLAN
Deschamps switched from 4-2-3-1 to 4-3-3
with great effect during the play-off against
Ukraine and should retain the same
organisation. A 4-3-3 plays to the natural
strengths of a dynamic mideld of Paul Pogba

WorldMags.net

France are under

less pressure
than any World
Cup since 1986
(above), Blaise Matuidi and Yohan Cabaye
tough to break down with the ability to explode
forward at speed. It is also a formation that
most of Deschamps players are familiar
with. Spectacular? No. Solid? Absolutely.
STRENGTHS
This is a young, physically imposing team that
can unsettle technically superior opponents
as they showed against Spain. There is no
lack of invention upfront, as shown by two
exceptional team goals in a recent friendly

Frenchman most likely to... head to a tattoo parlour? Find out at TheGuide.FourFourTwo.com

THE 60-SECOND DOSSIER

4

11

OWon by two or more goals

OWon by one goal
OScore draw
OGoalless draw
OLost by one goal
OLost by two or more goals

4
15

Malouda

SCORERS SINCE
LAST WORLD CUP

Ribery

RESULTS SINCE
LAST WORLD CUP

Remy

Valbuena

Giroud

Benzema

18

17

20-YEAR FIFA RANKING

1
5

20

4
8

10
15

17

7
10

9
16

18

19

PLAYER INTERVIEW

MATHIEU DEBUCHY
What was it like playing for
Les Bleus at Euro 2012?
Euro 2012 was an incredible
experience, especially coming
up against England in the
group stage and Spain in the
knockout phase. They are
obviously two massive football
nations and it was
a real experience
to play against
them. Well be
up against more
big nations at the
World Cup this
summer.

What can France achieve in

Brazil? What is the target?
I think if we perform to our
capabilities, we have every
chance of doing very well at this
World Cup. The focus right here,
right now will be on our rst
game against Honduras in Porto
Alegre. Getting a good start is
vital and we need
to win that rst
match. If we
can qualify for
the knockout
stages, anything
is possible.

How much
would it mean
for you to be
involved at the
World Cup?
Obviously for any footballer, you
want to be involved in a World
Cup. Its something you begin
dreaming of from the minute
you start kicking a football
around as a child.

How special
would it to go
to the World Cup
with Newcastle
team-mates Loic
Remy and Moussa Sissoko?
Obviously, that would be very
special. We have a very good
relationship and understanding
between ourselves on and off
the eld. It would be a nice
achievement for the club to
have players called up for
different national teams too.

40
60
80

95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14

IN NUMBERS

107 21

Dribbles attempted by
Ribery, more than any
other player in UEFAs
qualication groups.

Minutes per interception

by Matuidi (21.3) the best
of anyone playing 400-plus
minutes in qualifying.

Stats provided by

17

France have won all 17 of

their games in which Real
Madrids Benzema has
scored for Les Bleus.

STATS ZONE SAYS:

Matuidi: middle third passes v Nantes (H)
PSGs Blaise Matuidi has been a real nd
for France, dominating games with his
physicality and passing. In this match he
also made four interceptions, won ve of
six tackles and set up Thiago Mottas goal.

win over Holland. And there will be far less

pressure on this group of French players than
at any other World Cup since 1986.
WEAKNESSES
Despite Hugo Lloris prowess in goal, the
defence is a headache for the coach.
He has yet to settle on a central
partnership and his favourites,
Raphael Varane and Mamadou
Sakho, have barely played for
their clubs of late. France are
also short at full-back, where
Patrice Evra and Mathieu
Debuchys usually consistent
performances have dipped a touch.
LESSONS FROM QUALIFYING
They did it when it mattered in the
play-offs, but only just, and struggled
against lesser teams away from home
(0-0 in Georgia, 1-0 in Finland). A scoring
rate of 1.88 goals per game in their group,

higher than Spain, was satisfactory but

misleading: France were solid but struggled to
dominate. They are still a work in progress.
VERDICT
A team with the capacity to cause
problems to more fancied rivals,
but lacking the cohesion required
to go beyond the last eight.

What do you make of being

drawn against Switzerland,
Honduras and Ecuador
you must be condent?
I think its fair to say that if
you look at some of the other
groups, we could perhaps have
been given tougher opponents.
But we certainly wont be
underestimating any of those
countries. Their will to win will
be just the same as
everybody else in
the tournament,
maybe even
alittle more
as they will
want to pull off
a big feat and
make aname
for themselves
in their
countries by
qualifying from
the group.

You were 12 years old when

France won the World Cup as
hosts in 1998. The atmosphere
must have been amazing for
ayoung Frenchman. What are
your memories of that time?
It was a fantastic World Cup. My
memories are mostly of sitting
down to watch every
France match and
being very excited
about the teams
performances as
the tournament
went on. They
produced a big
performance
against Brazil
in the nal
[above]. It
was a splendid
victory for sure.

KEY PLAYER
Franck Ribery (left),
naturellement, whos scored
six goals, ve in qualifying, and
assisted eight others for Les
Bleus since Deschamps took
over in July 2012. At long last,
the Ribery of Bayern is also the
Ribery of France. He had a lot
to atone for after the debacle
of South Africa, and in a team
short on reliable goalscorers,
his contribution will be crucial.

WorldMags.net

FourFourTwo.com World Cup Preview 2014 49

GROUP E

FRANCE
SWITZERLAND
ECUADOR
HONDURAS

but vary the support he gets according to the

opponent. Expect cautious counter-attacking
against France, ball retention against Ecuador
and a much better effort at taking the
game to Honduras than they managed
last time around in South Africa, when
the two sides snored their way to a 0-0.
STRENGTHS
If tradition is followed and the World Cup ball
ies faster than ever before, then the Swiss
have an array of heavy hitters capable of taking
advantage. Gokhan Inler and Granit Xhaka
(main picture, left) will be among those seeking
a spot on the goals of the tournament DVD.
WEAKNESSES
The sensible Swiss are sometimes too
grounded about their place in the hierarchy
and prone to passivity against big-name
opponents. They dont need to become
delusional, but adding more adrenaline to their
undoubted ability might help occasionally.

SWITZERLAND
The Swiss are a unied group who have
mastered the art of making the most of
what they have. Their players are excellent
professionals from good clubs but not
ones likely to challenge for major honours.
Consequently, theyre proud to have earned
a seeding at the World Cup and are
determined to make the most of it.
Their qualifying campaign showcased
a exible, attacking style based around
a lively crop of younger players. And in
Nurembergs Josip Drmic, they might even
have unearthed the genuine international
goalscorer they have long been missing.
Barring any last-minute disasters unlikely,
given their planning has been unsurprisingly
meticulous Switzerland will enter the
tournament in good shape and focused on
achieving their best ever World Cup showing.
THE PERCEPTION
Bland, there-for-a-week qualiers clogging up
a bloated tournament. Hyper-organised

50 World Cup Preview 2014 FourFourTwo.com

defensively and only capable of scoring

from set-pieces. How the hell
did they end up seeded?

OTTMAR
HITZFELD
The German was
criticised for his
reliance on old
lags in South
Africa. Now he
has a twinkle in
his eye about
being anked by
a younger, more
vibrant group
for his nal ing
before retirement.

THE REALITY
The perception was
the reality but
is now out of
date. While
the Swiss
have not
mutated into
cavaliers,
their offensive weapons are
now sharper and they will
be more fun to watch than
the circle-the-wagons
merchants of yore.
THE MASTERPLAN
Swiss footballers are trained to be
tactically exible from an early
age. They play with a single striker

WorldMags.net

LESSONS FROM QUALIFYING

The group was modest but Switzerland
romped through it convincingly. The big lesson
was that they have more attacking options
than they have had for years and can sweep
aside lesser opponents with condence.
There were hints, though, that some
defensive solidity has been sacriced.
VERDICT
The quarters, if they avoid Argentina in
the second round. That would be
Switzerlands best effort since
1954, a not unrealistic target
for what could turn out to be
their best ever team. But
topping the group to do
so may be beyond them.
KEY PLAYER
Their team ethic
matters most,
but Switzerlands
X-Factor comes
in the shape of Xherdan Shaqiri
(left), back-up to Arjen Robben
and Franck Ribery at Bayern
Munich. As well as his explosive
talent, hell be condent after
Bayerns dominant season and
fresh having played few minutes.

Read more at TheGuide.FourFourTwo.com

the right and Jefferson Montero on the left.

Felipe Caicedo (main picture) scored seven in
the qualiers and is happy as a lone striker.
STRENGTHS
With a squad formed mainly of players from
the Ecuadorian league, they are the only South
American side that will train together before
the season ends. Their physical power can be
hard to take and they never seem to tire.
WEAKNESSES
The defenders are out of form. We are
suffering in that area we cant hide the sun
with one nger, admits Rueda. Injuries to
Jayro Campos, Juan Carlos Paredes and
Eduardo Morante, plus Frickson Erazos lack of
action at Flamengo, have made Rueda seek out
options such as 19-year-old Cristian Ramirez.
LESSONS FROM QUALIFYING
Ecuador are two different teams. Their
condence booms at Atahualpa Stadium in
Quito, some 2,800 metres above sea level
(seven victories, one draw; 15 goals scored,
three conceded), but they failed to win on
foreign soil. They have to believe that their
ability is as relevant as their red blood cells.

ECUADOR
Its been emotional. Ecuador arrive at just
their third ever World Cup (after 2002
and 2006) with their joy marred by the tragic
passing of much-loved forward Christian
Chucho Benitez, who died of heart failure
last year in Qatar. Players and supporters alike
are still in shock, but despite the tragedy, the
side managed to keep their heads in their
remaining qualiers to avoid a play-off.
Their 3-2 win in Portugal last year was
conrmation La Tri could win away from home,
an unfamiliar feeling for Reinaldo Ruedas boys.
If they can avoid defeat in pre-tournament
friendlies against Holland (in Amsterdam),
Mexico and England (both in the US), theyll
head to Brazil with plenty of condence.
THE PERCEPTION
A group of relative unknowns who depend
almost entirely on playing home games at
altitude in Quito, and can only sit back and
counter-attack when they nd themselves
in more oxygen-friendly environs.

REINALDO
RUEDA
The Colombian
was appointed
after a four-year
stint with
Honduras, who
Ecuador face in
the group stage.
A specialist in
working with
young players, he
is known as the
football teacher.

THE REALITY
The Ecuadorians have
been working hard to
nurture an open,
entertaining style
similar to Colombias,
but with quicker
defence-to-attack
transitions. They
have goals in
them; sitting
back isnt an
option. They
may not be
playing way above sea level
but theyll enjoy the heat.
THE MASTERPLAN
Ecuador deploy a 4-3-3 that can
fold into a 4-2-3-1 or 4-5-1 when
under pressure. Rueda considers
wingers essential but doesnt have
much back-up for Antonio Valencia on

WorldMags.net

VERDICT
A decent team that will score goals, but
will also concede. Emulating 2006,
when they were eliminated in the
round of 16 by England, will
be an achievement, but it
would also be a big ask.
KEY PLAYER
Manchester United
winger Antonio Valencia
(left) will have a massive
inuence on his teams
chances. Hes our
leader and a role model
for all of us, explains
midelder Christian Noboa. Valencia
publicly warned his team-mates
not to get overcondent after
a fairly generous draw: Our
problem is that sometimes we
think games are won before
being played, he said.

STRENGTHS
Honduras have a spirited group who never give
up. Defenders Arnold Peralta (Rangers), Victor
Bernardez (San Jose Earthquakes), Maynor
Figueroa (Hull City) and Emilio Izaguirre (Celtic)
are the teams core, with Stoke Citys Wilson
Palacios shoring things up in mideld.
WEAKNESSES
Condent when facing other CONCACAF sides,
they lack experience when up against different
styles of football. A 5-0 defeat against Brazil
in which they attacked and were destroyed on
the counter conrmed that they are not
quite ready to face true stars.

HONDURAS
Having qualied for a second World Cup in
succession, Honduras now dream of bagging
their rst victory at the tournament: so far
theyve only had a famous 1-1 draw against
hosts Spain in 1982 to celebrate.
They will have the goodwill of neutrals, but
playing in hostile scenarios doesnt scare the
Hondurans, as they showed in their recent
performance at a packed Azteca Stadium
in Mexico, where the teams resilience was
visible as they claimed a 2-2 draw, coming
back from 2-0 down in the last 15 minutes.
Bringing down France is the objective,
says their eccentric manager, the other Luis
Suarez, who doesnt consider himself a special
one but brags that he is very intelligent,
because Ive taken the foundations laid by
past managers in Ecuador and Honduras
and then added my personal touch.
THE PERCEPTION
A defensive-minded side that will create few
chances and will therefore depend on their

52 World Cup Preview 2014 FourFourTwo.com

forwards a department where they

are also short since
Carlos Pavon and
David Suazo
retired in 2012.

LUIS
FERNANDO
SUAREZ
Honduras love
their Colombian
coaches. After
Reinaldo Ruedas
ne spell between
2006 and 2010,
Suarez came in
and continued
to develop the
countrys national
football identity.

THE REALITY
The fact they arent playing in Europe
doesnt mean strikers Jerry Bengtson and
Carlo Costly (main picture) should be
dismissed. The pair racked up 16 goals
between them in 16 qualiers: nine for
Bengtson, who plays MLS football for
New England Revolution, and seven for
Costly of domestic side Real Espana.
THE MASTERPLAN
Without big stars, Honduras depend on
collective effort. Their 4-4-2 is patient, with
both lines keeping it simple and never drifting
out of position. As Suarez points out: If theres
order against order, the better players win.
But if its order against disorder, order wins.

WorldMags.net

LESSONS FROM QUALIFYING

After cruising in their third qualifying round
group with Canada, Cuba and Panama,
Honduras showed true progress in the nal
round, beating leaders USA 2-1 at
home and Mexico 2-1 away to
secure third place, just as they
did for the 2010 World Cup.
VERDICT
Reaching the second
phase looks to be
beyond the Bicolor.
If they take
points from
any of France,
Switzerland or
Ecuador, however,
they could wind
up having a big
inuence on the
groups outcome.
KEY PLAYER
Celtic left-back Emilio
Izaguirre (left) is one
of the most complete
players in the squad,
becoming the symbol of
the team. In Scotland he
has improved his defensive
discipline, but when he
plays for his country he likes to
maraud up the
ank freely.

FIXTURES
Argentina vs Bosnia & Herzegovina
June 15
Rio de Janeiro
11pm (BST) BBC

Iran vs Nigeria
June 16
Curitiba
8pm BBC

Argentina vs Iran
June 21
Belo Horizonte
5pm ITV

Nigeria vs Bosnia & Herzegovina

June 21
Cuiaba
11pm BBC

Bosnia & Herzegovina vs Iran

June 25
Salvador
5pm ITV

Nigeria vs Argentina
June 25
Porto Alegre
5pm ITV

WorldMags.net

FourFourTwo.com World Cup Preview 2014 53

GROUP F

ARGENTINA
BOSNIA & HERZEGOVINA
IRAN
NIGERIA

ARGENTINA
Twenty years is nothing, according to
a famous Argentine tango. But 28 years is
pushing it. The Albiceleste have failed to reach
the nal of the last ve World Cups, but that
long wait would denitely be worth it should
it occur on enemy soil this summer.
Ruining the Brazilian carnival is a powerful
motivation for Lionel Messi et al, but are they
equipped to pull off what Uruguay managed
in 1950? In 2012, the answer to that question
from any Argentine would probably have been
no. But the last two years have seen optimism
return: since Alejandro Sabella took charge as
coach, Messi has nally started to look like the
sorcerer he is for Barcelona; the team now
plays for him, albeit in a style more akin to
Real Madrid in its directness.
With support from Sergio Aguero (above),
Gonzalo Higuain, Ezequiel Lavezzi and Rodrigo
Palacio, Argentina arguably have the most
powerful attack in the world. Will it be enough
to overcome the sides problems at the back,
not to mention the usual clash of egos?

54 World Cup Preview 2014 FourFourTwo.com

THE PERCEPTION
Argentina cant keep the dressing room calm
at World Cups. In 1994, it was the doping.
In 1998, internal disputes. In 2002, worries
about Marcelo Bielsas over-demanding tness
regime. In 2006 and 2010, further disputes
between groups of players. Cool heads are
a must if they are to stand a chance in Brazil.

ALEJANDRO
SABELLA
The ex-Shefeld
United midelder
was assistant to
Daniel Passarella
at France 98. A
Copa Libertadores
winner as boss of
Estudiantes, this
man of few words
is honest and
willing to act on
his squads views.

THE REALITY
Sabella picked a group and stuck with them.
To avoid disruptions, he overlooked certain stars
such as Carlos Tevez and Esteban Cambiasso,
refused to test other goalkeepers and preferred
low-prole defenders to the usual barking
generals (Nicolas Burdisso, Gabriel Heinze).
The highly respected Juan Sebastian Veron
could also be in Brazil as an assistant.
THE MASTERPLAN
Argentina play a 4-3-3 based on direct attacks
and devastatingly quick counters from the
Angel di Maria-Messi-Aguero-Higuain axis. Two

WorldMags.net

Scoring one more

than you will be
Argentinas main
weapon in Brazil
of the central midelders (Javier Mascherano
and Fernando Gago or Lucas Biglia) act as
ball-winners. Sabella wont hesitate to
deploy a more cautious 5-3-2 if necessary.
STRENGTHS
Scoring one more than you is Argentinas main
weapon. They dont need lots of possession to
create chances and arent entirely dependent
on individuals. Messi is always involved, but he
knows his team-mates movements and can
trust in their not inconsiderable talents.

Argentine most likely to... forget the national anthem? Find out at TheGuide.FourFourTwo.com

THE 60-SECOND DOSSIER

13

Aguero

Di Maria

Lavezzi

14
Higuain

17

OWon by two or more goals

OWon by one goal
OScore draw
OGoalless draw
OLost by one goal
OLost by two or more goals

24

SCORERS SINCE
LAST WORLD CUP

Messi

RESULTS SINCE
LAST WORLD CUP

7
8
10

20-YEAR FIFA RANKING

1
5
10

1
6

15
20

21

40
60
80

95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14

IN NUMBERS

35

Argentina were top scorers

in qualifying (35) and only
Colombia (13) conceded
fewer than their 15.

85

No side in the CONMEBOL

qualiers had a higher
passing accuracy (85.3
per cent) than Argentina.

STATS ZONE SAYS:

Lionel Messi: all shots v Ajax (H)
What else needs to be said about Messi?
Notice his focus on nding the corners
with his shots. The Flea is clinical as well
as tricky, as his hat-trick against Ajax in
the Champions League shows.

LESSONS FROM
QUALIFYING
Stick with the system. When former
coach Sergio Batista was sacked after
the 2011 Copa America, the team
went through a reconstruction based
on 4-3-3. It was rst adopted as an
emergency at half-time against
Colombia, when Argentina were
losing 1-0. Sabella tinkered and they

FERNANDO GAGO
You missed out on the last
World Cup despite being a full
international since 2007.
You must be
desperate to
go to Brazil
I just try to be
quiet and keep
working. But
Im not just
a player, Im
also a fan. In
2006 I went to
Germany with
some friends
to support the
team from
the stands.
A World Cup is never an easy
competition, but the dream
of bringing the trophy to your
country is always there.

Stats provided by

No player assisted more

goals in the CONMEBOL
qualiers than Messi
or Di Maria (5).

WEAKNESSES
Only third-choice goalkeeper Agustin Orion
has played regularly this season;
Sergio Romero hasnt featured for
Monaco while Mariano Andujar has
struggled at Catania. Defending
set-pieces is a headache,
too: only Federico Fernandez,
Ezequiel Garay and Higuain
can head the ball. Thats why
Sabella plays the tall but raw
Marcos Rojo at left-back.

PLAYER INTERVIEW

came back to win 2-1. It was a boost for

a team that had already lost in Venezuela and
drawn with Bolivia. After that, Argentina spent
18 months unbeaten, only losing their nal
xture to Uruguay a dead rubber.
VERDICT
Argentina are capable of
mounting a serious challenge.
With an easy group and a potentially
soft road to the nal, the main
worries would be possibly playing
Germany in the quarter-nals.

You have always been the

hub of your teams midelds,
keeping play ticking over.
How important is it to keep
the ball for Argentina?
Its very important. We must
know when to be fast and
incisive and when to hold it,
but our team is built on having
almost four forwards, so in
mideld and in defence we
have to be prepared for that.
Would you prefer the
team to be more balanced?
No, because thats what
makes us more dangerous.
We are convinced of it. We
like the way we play and the
results have been good enough
to make us feel were on the
right path. Its a matter of not
getting distracted by thoughts
of forwards, midelders and
defenders. We have to be
compact in attack and
remain compact when
we lose the ball.

You made the choice to return

to the Argentine league
did you worry youd lose your
national team
starting spot?
I considered it
to be the right
move, after
years playing in
Spain and Italy,
to get back and
be closer to my
family. I didnt
really consider
anything else
and I guess
I was right
because the
dream of playing for my
country hasnt changed.
You provide more passes
for Messi than anyone else.
Whats he like to play with?
Incredible, but its not like we
look for him all the time. The
position I play and the position
he plays make it natural to give
him the ball. But were well
aware that we have a style and
an idea to carry out its not
that we depend entirely on his
inspiration, because that would
be unfair. Lionel is the worlds
best player, but he plays better
and is more comfortable when
the team plays with him.
Your squad are experienced
and know each other well.
Is this an advantage?
I dont know if its an advantage
but its true weve known each
other for a long time, most of
us having played together in the
under-20 and under-23 sides.
Our dream is to be champions;
we know that were candidates
and thats OK. Argentina
cannot think of
anything else.

KEY PLAYER
Argentine expectations rest
on the shoulders of Lionel Messi
(left), playing his third World Cup
at 26. This season hasnt been his
greatest at club level, but having
scored 18 goals in his last 17 caps,
hes thrived since being named
captain of his country.

WorldMags.net

FourFourTwo.com World Cup Preview 2014 55

GROUP F

ARGENTINA
BOSNIA & HERZEGOVINA
IRAN
NIGERIA

handsomely in the qualifying campaign and

there are no signs of any fancy upgrades.
STRENGTHS
Motivation is a big factor, and theyll be red
up to the max. Dzeko and Stuttgarts Vedad
Ibisevic make a prolic strike duo, Romas
Miralem Pjanic is sublime in mideld, while
Stokes Asmir Begovic (far left) is one of
the Premier Leagues best goalkeepers.

BOSNIA & HERZEGOVINA

A rst World Cup qualication making Bosnia
& Herzegovina this years only debutants
means everything to supporters, who have
been euphoric with anticipation ever since.
The mighty Dragons stormed through the
qualiers in style, winning eight out of 10
matches and netting 30 goals. Only three sides
in Europe scored more: Germany, Holland and
England. However, subsequent friendlies have
revealed cracks in the dream, as they lost to
Argentina and Egypt with their much-vaunted
attack looking rather harmless.
Fans booed star player Edin Dzeko, and
coach Safet Susic came under heavy criticism.
How Bosnia & Herzegovina cope with these
and other set-backs will be key to their
chances in Brazil: will the teams morale be
damaged or will they emerge stronger?
THE PERCEPTION
Likeable underdogs who will take to the pitch
in a reball of patriotic fervour rarely seen in
international football these days. They will give

56 World Cup Preview 2014 FourFourTwo.com

their absolute best against

every opponent, but will
lack the quality to leave
a lasting impression.

SAFET SUSIC
A legend for both
Yugoslavia and
PSG, Susic the
coach uses much
the same football
philosophy as
Susic the player:
attack, attack,
attack. His main
task is to restore
his players focus
after recent poor
performances.

THE REALITY
They wont be happy to just make
up the numbers in Brazil. Sympathy
from the neutrals is appreciated,
but now the Bosnians are here, they
want to have an impact. They think
they have what it takes, and theyve
only got Argentina rst
THE MASTERPLAN
What masterplan? Formation-wise, its
a 4-4-2 with a diamond in the middle, but
Susic is an old-school boss who doesnt
believe in over-mystifying things
the aim is just to go out there
and score more goals than
their opponents. Its an
approach that paid off

WorldMags.net

WEAKNESSES
Everything else. They have a few other decent
players, but the team is unbalanced and
the squad weak. There are no alternatives
in key positions and no plan B. They
also have problems retrieving
possession once the ball is lost.
LESSONS FROM
QUALIFYING
Pray for luck. Susic has only
ever called up two strikers,
Dzeko and Ibisevic, both of
whom appeared in every
qualier. Surely there must
be another Bosnian playing
upfront somewhere who
could step in if either is injured
or suspended? No? Really?!
VERDICT
They have the chance to emerge
from a tough-to-predict group,
but its likely the team will fall
just short: theyre just too
reliant on a handful of stars.
KEY PLAYER
The Diamond: thats what they call
Edin Dzeko (left) in his homeland. The
Manchester City striker has shone since
his debut in 2007, scoring 33 goals in 60
games and bagging a third of Bosnia
& Herzegovinas goals in the qualiers.

Read more at TheGuide.FourFourTwo.com

THE MASTERPLAN
Organised, strong defensively and ready to
frustrate opponents and counter-attack as
they did in that Seoul game. Iran have a plan
and stick with it. Captain Javad Nekounam,
with La Liga experience at Osasuna, is the
leader in mideld, and Iran can also count on
another ex-Osasuna player, midelder Masoud
Shojaei, and Fulham winger Ashkan Dejagah.
STRENGTHS
Queirozs siege mentality was honed under
Alex Ferguson. He protects his players publicly
but is a hard taskmaster. Likes mind games
too: just ask ex-Korea coach Choi Kang-Hee.
WEAKNESSES
Goalkeeper Rahman Ahmadi, 33, made crucial
saves in Seoul, but he hasnt always inspired
condence since replacing national legend
Mehdi Rahmati, whose ego and poor
disciplinary record agitated Queiroz.
LESSONS FROM QUALIFYING
Fail to prepare, prepare to fail. Iran are
improved and relish being underdogs.
Charlton striker Reza Ghoochannejhad
is also anxious to repay his coachs
condence. His skills may not show up
in the Championship, but they
suit the slower tempo of
international football.

IRAN
Iran were ranked seventh of Asias 43
FIFA-recognised countries when Carlos
Queiroz, who led Portugal at the last World
Cup, took charge in 2011. With just four of
those teams set to qualify, the former Real
Madrid coach and twice Manchester United
assistant manager had a tough task, especially
as economic sanctions hindered his efforts.
Few teams wanted to play Iran in the
friendlies vital for practice and Queiroz badly
needed to meld his disparate set of players.
Yet after 16 qualifying matches, including
a dramatic 1-0 win against Asian powerhouse
South Korea, that conrmed their passage to
Brazil, Iran were ranked rst on the continent.
The mood is positive, the team improving
and injury-free. They can count on the support
of 20,000 passionate fans at their games, too.
THE PERCEPTION
An unknown quantity viewed with suspicion by
the western media. The geopolitical situation
heightens tensions and the Iranian

CARLOS
QUEIROZ
The Portuguese
has achieved his
target reaching
Brazil. Respected
by the players,
the 61-year-old
worked hard to
set up a training
camp and decent
friendlies. Likes
to defend his
unfancied team.

government doesnt
always help. When
FourFourTwo
eventually got
a visa to visit
Tehran in
March, we
were the
rst British
media to
do so since
sanctions were introduced.
THE REALITY
An emerging regional
powerhouse who
have benetted from
Queirozs obsessive
attention to detail in everything from
video analysis to the ights they take
and hotels they use. Team Melli has been
boosted signicantly by players brought
in from the Iranian diaspora.

WorldMags.net

VERDICT
Were not going to
Brazil for tourism,
says Queiroz. His
target is to get
through the group
stage by using their
underdog status as
motivation. Still,
you should expect
Iran to miss out on
qualication for the knockouts.
KEY PLAYER
Ashkan Dejagah (left) has Premier
League and Bundesliga experience
and was a German youth international
alongside Mesut Ozil. Having persuaded
him to play for Iran, Queiroz sees Dejagah
as an impact player unsurprising given
he scored twice on debut to hand Iran a
2-2 draw in a key qualier against Qatar.

STRENGTHS
Nigeria can be breathtaking when they break.
What seems like aimless passing can quickly
transform with a quick ball from Mikel to nd
the wide players, and boom! Their frontmen
have the skills to get past defenders with
a shimmy or through pace and power.
WEAKNESSES
For all their speed, the Nigerians can be slow
in their build-up play. They struggle to break
down teams that sit deep and are too
dependent on Fenerbahce marksman Emenike
for goals. But they do have Shola Ameobi...

It was only two years ago that gloom befell

Nigeria after the Super Eagles failed to qualify
for the Africa Cup of Nations a tournament
they considered all but a birthright.
Appointed to stop the rot, Stephen Keshi
arrived with little fanfare but soon rid the
team of difcult characters, rebuilding and
populating the squad with players from the
domestic league while swimming against
the tide of his employers, the Nigeria Football
Federation. Once his side won the 2013 African
Nations Cup (above), Keshi gained cult status.
Now he possesses a motivated side that give
their all. They stumbled a little in qualifying,
but there was never any doubt theyd make it.
THE PERCEPTION
A greedy bunch. Money-induced rows are
Nigerias greatest contribution to major
tournaments. Last years Confederations
Cup was the most recent example: the
squad refused to board a plane to Brazil
until the government and FIFA intervened.

58 World Cup Preview 2014 FourFourTwo.com

THE REALITY
The Nigeria Football
Federation have agreed
a bonus structure and
ensured excellent travel
and lodgings. Unless senior
players seek revenge for old
grievances, its hard to see where
any dissent will come from.

STEPHEN
KESHI
Nigerians believe
their team is in
Brazil due to the
coach. Lazios
Ogenyi Onazi
explains Keshis
motivational skills:
He makes you
believe that you
can play like Pele,
no matter who is
in front of you.

THE MASTERPLAN
Keshi likes to deploy his side in
a 4-3-3. With Ogenyi Onazi in the
role of mideld bodyguard, John
Obi Mikel casts off his Stamford
Bridge chains to pop up pretty
much anywhere he pleases.
The aim is to nd striker
Emmanuel Emenike,
either directly or
via pacy widemen
Ahmed Musa and
Victor Moses.

WorldMags.net

LESSONS FROM QUALIFYING

Stay mean. Nigeria do not concede
many goals only Spain have scored
more than two against them recently.
Italy and Mexico, who scored twice,
conceded the same, while Uruguay
won 2-1. This is largely down
to two great goalkeepers
although both have the
odd blooper in them.
VERDICT
The Super Eagles will be difcult
to beat. Their mentality is strong, the
squad is highly motivated and in Keshi
they have a coach with real self-belief.
The second round looks likely.
KEY PLAYER
Emmanuel Emenikes goals
will be key. Physical, skilled and
lethal from both close range
and distance, the striker (left)
was sorely missed for most of
the qualifying campaign and
at last years Confederations Cup.
Playing in Turkey has kept the
26-year-old under the radar somewhat,
but his ability is not in question.

FIXTURES
Germany vs Portugal
June 16
Salvador
5pm (BST) ITV

Ghana vs USA
June 16
Natal
11pm BBC

Germany vs Ghana
June 21
Fortaleza
8pm BBC

USA vs Portugal
June 22
Manaus
11pm BBC

Portugal vs Ghana
June 26
Brasilia
5pm BBC

USA vs Germany
June 26
Recife
5pm BBC

WorldMags.net

FourFourTwo.com World Cup Preview 2014 59

GROUP G

GERMANY
GHANA
USA
PORTUGAL

GERMANY
On the face of it, Germany are more than
ready for a World Cup many people expect
them to win. They have lost only one game
since August 2012 (when a reserve side was
beaten by the USA), have drawn with Holland
and Italy and have won in Paris and London.
And yet all is not quite well. In March,
national coach Joachim Low issued what he
termed a wake-up call to his staff, saying
that his players had to make sure they arrive
in Brazil in perfect physical shape.
It was a revealing appeal; what worries Low
more than dips in form from key players such
as Mesut Ozil is that it has been a season of
injury woes for German players, especially in
the Bundesliga. Dortmunds entire campaign
was derailed by a string of knocks, while
Bayern have had similar problems (but were
able to offset them with a deep squad).
Even players plying their trade abroad such
as Lukas Podolski and Mario Gomez missed
months of action. And to have a chance of
winning, theyll need to be able to run.

60 World Cup Preview 2014 FourFourTwo.com

THE PERCEPTION
Germany are the new Holland: all air, grace,
style and thrust but no trophies. The Teutonic
turnaround has been so thorough that theyve
acquired the un-German habit of losing when
it counts, usually in the semis. The inevitable
next step: getting beaten on penalties

JOACHIM LOW
Make-or-break
time for Jogi.
His popularity
took a hit after
the Euro 2012
semi-nal against
Italy, when
he blundered
tactically. Fans
bemoan a lack
of killer instinct.
Silverware is
long overdue.

THE REALITY
Germany are the new Brazil: heavily burdened
by their own past and by everyones huge
expectations but still major contenders.
Thats mainly because theres hardly any other
team with so much hunger and talent, and, at
the same time, so much experience at this
level. This time, the Bayern players winning
mentality could make the difference.
THE MASTERPLAN
The Germans have so many excellent offensive
midelders that the area in front of the box is
where they aim to decide games. They are less
obsessed with possession than Bayern and

WorldMags.net

Germany are
less obsessed
with possession
than Bayern
less apt at the pressing game than Dortmund.
Instead, the plan is to build from the back with
short passes and move the ball quickly to the
three men behind the lone striker.
STRENGTHS
Their myriad attacking talents mean Germany
are among the best at creating and converting
scoring opportunities. In the four years since
the last World Cup, Germany have played only
two games in which they didnt nd the target
(scoreless draws against Sweden and Holland).

German most likely to... wave to his granny on TV? Find out at TheGuide.FourFourTwo.com

THE 60-SECOND DOSSIER

15

13

11

11

Gomez

Muller

Schurrle

20

Ozil

4
2

OWon by two or more goals

OWon by one goal
OScore draw
OGoalless draw
OLost by one goal
OLost by two or more goals

16

SCORERS SINCE
LAST WORLD CUP

Klose

RESULTS SINCE
LAST WORLD CUP

11

20-YEAR FIFA RANKING

1
5

2
5

3
9

10

11

15
19

20

19

40
60
80

95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14

IN NUMBERS

36

Number of goals Germany

scored in qualication
more than any nation
in the European groups.

Germany won all six

of their World Cup
qualication games
that took place in 2013.

STATS ZONE SAYS:

Marcel Schmelzer: passes v Nuremberg
Left-back is a rare problem position for
Germany. Dortmunds attack-minded
Schmelzer may be the answer: in this
Bundesliga home game he was dangerous
in the nal third, creating three chances.

LESSONS FROM
QUALIFYING
Germany waltzed through
qualifying. Yet one game in
October 2012 made history and
encapsulated all that is good and bad
about this team. A breathtaking
Germany raced into a 4-0 lead against
Sweden after 55 minutes. Final result: 4-4.
VERDICT
After four semi-nal appearances in as many
tournaments, reaching the last four again is

MARIO GOTZE
What do you make of your
group opponents, Mario?
Its not an easy group, I think
Portugal will be the strongest
opponent. But we wont take
the games against the US and
Ghana as easy wins. All three
teams play at a very high level
and we have to do our best to
win the games.
Do you consider it
a group of death?
I wouldnt call
it that because
many teams at
the World Cup are
outstanding, but
its denitely not
a warm-up for the
rest of the tournament! In this
group, everything can happen.

Stats provided by

Ozil scored the most goals

from mideld in European
qualifying (8) and created
the second-most chances.

WEAKNESSES
Keeping clean sheets. In the past, a lack of
good defenders was seen as the reason
for this perennial problem, but Bayern
and Dortmunds successes on the
European stage suggests the likes of Mats
Hummels and Jerome Boateng,
not to mention Per Mertesacker,
should be capable enough.

PLAYER INTERVIEW

a must. Secretly, and not without justication,

the players think theyre the team to beat.
KEY PLAYER
The one player Low cannot replace is
his and Bayern Munichs consistently
outstanding captain, Philipp Lahm
(left). In fact, following the
diminutive defenders
conversion under Pep
Guardiolas tutelage
this season, the
national coach
would love to use
Lahm in two roles at once: at
right-back, his natural position,
and also at the base of mideld.
Both of Germanys holders,
Bastian Schweinsteiger and Sami
Khedira, missed large parts of
the season through injury, so
Low might be tempted to
copy the Bayern boss.

Is it good or bad to
have Portugal up rst?
Its hard to tell, to be honest.
The start of a tournament is
always crucial and we are
facing a really strong squad
rst. But we want to start the
tournament successfully.
Who do you expect to
do something phenomenal
at the World Cup?
We could talk about that for
ages. There are many special
players and teams in the
tournament. The Spanish team,
Argentina with Messi, Ronaldo
[above] with Portugal or Neymar
with Brazil might be able to
adapt better than others to the
conditions. But I dont think that
this is a big advantage.
Are you concerned
about playing in
the heat or at
altitude? Are
you already
preparing for
those conditions?

WorldMags.net

There may be conditions that

we are not used to, but in the
end we have to take them
as they come. A high level of
tness will be the key to face
everything thats going to
happen during the tournament.
Whats your earliest World
Cup memory?
I remember the
goals of Zinedine
Zidane in the nal
in 1998. Zidane
impressed me a lot.
Joachim Low has
coached Germany
for more than 100
games where does
he rank among the coaches
youve worked with?
He was the one who picked me
for Germanys national team.
Thats always something special
for a player. Therefore he plays
a special role in my career.
He is a coach who can develop
a team and help players to
get to a higher level.
What will Germany
consider a success in Brazil?
From our point of view, its
important to play great football
and do our best in every single
game during the tournament.
We dont think beyond the
group phase for now, we
need to go step by step,
although we are going to
Brazil to win every game.
What are your personal
targets for the tournament?
I want to play in as many
games as possible and
score as many goals as
I can. I want to help
the whole team to
be successful. Thats
the most important
thing for all players.

FourFourTwo.com World Cup Preview 2014 61

GROUP G

GERMANY
GHANA
USA
PORTUGAL

strategies has been difcult. But the strong

bond in the squad should not be overlooked.
STRENGTHS
The Black Stars know how to defend stoutly
once theyve taken the lead, a quality thats
only grown over the years. Emphasis on
counter-attacking from the wings is expected
to be ahallmark of their approach in Brazil, too.
WEAKNESSES
Ghana have experimented with more players
at left-back than any other position in the last
decade. An attempt to switch to 3-5-2 in 2013
was abandoned hastily after disastrous results.
And contrary to stereotypes about African sides,
the players need better physical conditioning.
LESSONS FROM QUALIFYING
Ghana became ruthless in qualifying, despite
being known for sitting back after taking
alead. Curiously, they have been at their
weakest after the rst half an hour of
games, losing concentration, only
to pick up again after the break.

GHANA
There is an air of uncertainty in the Ghana
camp. At Germany 2006, the Black Stars were
talented but inexperienced. In 2010, their play
was unpredictable. This time, doubt stems
from their slow tactical adaptation.
Key players are not in their best form,
although they are at least getting playing time
at their clubs. Sceptics are quick to note that
coach Kwesi Appiahs 62.5 per cent win ratio in
competitive matches since his appointment is
due mostly to playing against weak teams.
Burkina Faso, Mali, Zambia and Egypt have
been responsible for his only losses, and those
matches have highlighted the teams inability
to adapt. But Ghana love to surprise when
written off, and Appiah did lead them to the
countrys best ever qualifying campaign, even
if straightforward progress was to be expected.
THE PERCEPTION
Ghana have the best mideld pool in Africa.
After making the round of 16 in 2006 and the
quarter-nal in 2010, another strong showing

62 World Cup Preview 2014 FourFourTwo.com

is likely for this group of hardened

battlers and youthful talents.

KWESI APPIAH
Ghanaians love
charisma, but
Appiah lacks in
this area. The
coachs terseness
is matched only
by his disciplinary
streak. His players
call him Silent
Killer, but results
suggest some
of his methods
must be working.

THE REALITY
Age and inconsistency are
haunting Ghanas mideld,
as illustrated by the
decline of Michael
Essien (top right).
The defence is
wobbly and
the attack
predictable.
Keeper Fatau Dauda isnt playing enough
for club Orlando Pirates while the bench
is light, too, so injuries are a worry.
THE MASTERPLAN
The key players are in defensive mideld:
nullify them and Ghanas 4-2-3-1 becomes
redundant. Since 2013, the coach has
complained constantly about a lack
of tactical discipline, so varying

WorldMags.net

VERDICT
Ghana will be a handful
for anyone should
they escape their
group. But the
clich Ghana are
slow starters
will need to be
banished entirely
if they make it
which doesnt
seem too likely.
KEY PLAYER
Majeed Waris unexpected
appearance has been a revelation,
having taken his chance when
thrown in against Chile in a 2012
friendly. The 22-year-old (left)
knows when to move, when
to shoot, and has at last
given Asamoah Gyan
apartner upfront.

Read more at TheGuide.FourFourTwo.com

Landon Donovan, as well as raw but promising

centre-back Omar Gonzalez. With the teams
style more functional than fancy, giving the
ball to Donovan and hoping for the best
could still be Klinsmanns masterplan.
STRENGTHS
The best hope for the US is to use the shield
of being underestimated. The team are strong
enough to hang on in games and frustrate the
opposition. Getting the team to win, rather
than just grind, is Klinsmanns big conundrum.
WEAKNESSES
When Jozy Altidore is leading your line against
Germany, you cannot feel overburdened with
condence. Klinsmann, who prefers his players
to be plying their trade in Europe, must have
been delighted by the big strikers Sunderland
move last summer. Instead, his targetman has
been a big disappointment on Wearside.
Perhaps a return to national team colours
will inspire him to nd his AZ-era form.

USA
Some sides dream of winning the World Cup.
Others target getting beyond the group stage.
For the USA, not witnessing the tournament
going up in smoke in the opening game
against Ghana, with clashes against Portugal
and Germany to follow, would be dandy.
Stateside reaction to the World Cup draw
was akin to a mass sigh of despondence. But,
slowly, condence about the national teams
prospects has grown, with Americans
second-nature optimism taking over.
However, the poor form of supposedly
big players who have abandoned Europe for
that comforting MLS embrace, some woeful
friendly performances and the realisation that
Cristiano Ronaldo on his own is good enough
to dismantle the side leaves fan optimism
looking a little precarious. Fears of a zero
points, zero goals World Cup are very real.
THE PERCEPTION
No longer novices in this strange sport played
on grass by divers, the USA are athletic but

lacking in air. Jurgen

Klinsmanns side
wont be overturning
teams at the World
Cup in eight-goal
romps, but they
wont be pushovers.

JURGEN
KLINSMANN
Half guru, half
football coach,
Klinsmann will
have to unleash
his supposedly
mythical powers
for inspiring
self-belief if his
sides jaunt to
South America is
to last more than
three matches.

THE REALITY
If this perception of the
US teams nature were
indeed true, the fans would
be tickled pink. Instead, this
is one of the weakest USA
squads for some time, with
American hopes pinned on
the same old players.
THE MASTERPLAN
The USA will be looking for peak
performances from their core
stars: Tim Howard, Michael Bradley
(main picture, left), Clint Dempsey and

WorldMags.net

LESSONS FROM QUALIFYING

None. The CONCACAF campaign is so
easy for sides like the US although
Mexico almost managed to stuff
things up that little can be taken
from games. Instead, defeats to
the likes of Ukraine in friendlies
are a better indicator of the
teams current level.
VERDICT
A weaker group could
have seen the US side
hustling its way into the
knockouts. Instead, it will
be a rough ride against the likes
of Ronaldo and Reus, with the
potential for three defeats.
KEY PLAYER
Landon Donovan (left). The only member
of the Stars and Stripes squad
with genuine creative class, the
32-year-old LA Galaxy forward has
a nal opportunity to seal his reputation
as one of the USAs all-time greats.

FourFourTwo.com World Cup Preview 2014 63

GROUP G

GERMANY
GHANA
USA
PORTUGAL

defenders occupied and dragging them out

of position, opening up space for Ronaldos
raids. A versatile core, underpinned by
Moutinhos accurate passing and Pepes
defensive acumen, gives them a solidity
that can foil lesser opponents.
STRENGTHS
Beyond the obvious, Portugal do work very
hard for each other. They may not all be the
best in their position, but they put the graft in
to help the man who is. Every player counts in
this line-up, but one of them counts above all.
WEAKNESSES
A bench without high-prole alternatives
and the fact that some rst-teamers had
irregular seasons at club level, and are
consequently lacking sharpness, could
prove to be a major headache for Bento.

PORTUGAL
Can one man win a World Cup? Its arguably
only happened once, with Diego Maradona
dragging an average Argentina side to victory
in 1986. Lionel Messis 2014 Argentina are
strong enough to transcend the accusation of
being reliant on an individual, so the billing
falls to Ballon dOr winner Cristiano Ronaldo.
Portugal have decent players, of course:
defensive midelder William Carvalho (no
relation to Ricardo) has lit up the Portuguese
league at Sporting Lisbon, and coupled with
Joao Moutinho (above), the side are staunch
in the middle. But some of their rst XI havent
performed consistently this season (Nani and
Fabio Coentrao to name but two) and they lack
a top-level striker, a problem that dates back
to Figo and Rui Costas golden generation.
All of which means the onus falls heavily
on a superman who can dominate sides of
asimilar standard (as Zlatan Ibrahimovics
Sweden found out in the play-offs), but
probably cant overpower the entire rest of the
world on his own. Not that itll stop him trying.

64 World Cup Preview 2014 FourFourTwo.com

PAULO BENTO
A strong-minded
disciplinarian who
doesnt like to
take chances and
squeezes the best
out of an average
crop. Bentos
line-ups are low
on surprises and,
injuries apart, he
works consistently
with a group of
his favourites.

THE PERCEPTION
A side who often
menace their way
to the latter stages
of the tournament
without realistically
threatening to win.
They may shock a side
or two, but the overall
pattern is unlikely to change.
THE REALITY
Much like the perception. Without
options upfront or back-up choices
in key positions, Portugal have an
XI that can defeat strong teams on
their day but will be lucky to repeat
the feat beyond the quarter-nals.
THE MASTERPLAN
They play best on the counter; coach
Paulo Bento will assign the Portuguese
forward line with the role of keeping

WorldMags.net

LESSONS FROM QUALIFYING

Feed Ronaldo, albeit without forcing the
issue too much, which is something
they did brilliantly against Sweden.
Portugal need a Plan B, especially
if he is having a bad day.
World Cup group stages can
be brutal, and if they dont
focus, they could depart
early from a tough group.
VERDICT
Theyll get through the
group, possibly even top it,
depending on the result
against Germany. But
getting beyond that will
require CR7 in galactic form.
KEY PLAYER
Miguel Veloso has had a solid
year at Dyna only kidding.
The current heavyweight
champion of the world (that
bloke on the left) can add
another belt to his collection
by outgunning Messi in Brazil
this summer. Inspire his team
to the trophy and hell be
immortalised as one of the
games all-time greats.

FIXTURES
Belgium vs Algeria
June 17
Belo Horizonte
5pm (BST) ITV

Russia vs South Korea

June 17
Cuiaba
11pm BBC

Belgium vs Russia
June 22
Rio de Janeiro
5pm BBC

South Korea vs Algeria

June 22
Porto Alegre
8pm ITV

Algeria vs Russia
June 26
Curitiba
9pm ITV

South Korea vs Belgium

June 26
Sao Paulo
9pm ITV

WorldMags.net

FourFourTwo.com World Cup Preview 2014 65

GROUP H

BELGIUM
RUSSIA
SOUTH KOREA
ALGERIA

BELGIUM
For a side that hasnt qualied for a major
tournament since 2002, Belgium made
relatively light work of their challengers on the
road to Brazil. Team morale has skyrocketed
under the smart tutelage of former
international great Marc Wilmots, with Belgium
winning eight of their 10 group games, keeping
an impressive six clean sheets in the process.
However, since Romelu Lukaku (main picture)
stamped their ticket with a double in Croatia,
things have taken a downturn. They havent
won since October, with concentration costing
them late on in games, while keepers Thibaut
Courtois and Simon Mignolet have squabbled
over a perceived lack of mutual respect.
Talent-laden Belgium might be highly
fancied by many, but the worry is that the
wheels have come off before the plane
has even left the Brussels runway.
PERCEPTION
Their time has arrived. Following a number of
qualication near-misses, this glittering group

66 World Cup Preview 2014 FourFourTwo.com

of sought-after individuals has been tearing

up trees across Europes biggest leagues for
the last two years. The squad has grown up
through the ranks together, so team chemistry
isnt an issue, and with individual brilliance
matching their collective will, they could
be the tournaments dark horse.

MARC
WILMOTS
The man who
scored Belgiums
last World Cup
goal, Wilmots took
over two years
ago after serving
as assistant. He
hasnt looked
back, turning
talented but
volatile individuals
into a top team.

REALITY
Plenty of these players peaked domestically
in 2012-13 and have endured less convincing
seasons this time around. Despite Belgium
undoubtedly possessing one of the strongest
squads at the tournament, only Daniel van
Buyten has experienced the rigours of a World
Cup before. The pressure on them to live up
to the hype could eventually prove too much.
THE MASTERPLAN
By qualications end, Wilmots played a 4-3-3
with the ex-Standard Liege trio of Axel Witsel,
Steven Defour and Marouane Fellaini setting
the tempo and retaining possession in

WorldMags.net

The pressure on
them to live up
to the hype could
prove too much
mideld, Eden Hazard and Kevin De Bruyne
cutting in from the wings, and one of Lukaku
or Christian Benteke (now ruled out through
injury) as a lone striker banging in the goals.
STRENGTHS
The bench could be crucial for the Belgians.
Talents such as Mousa Dembele, Nacer Chadli,
Dries Mertens and Kevin Mirallas havent nailed
down a place in the XI but give the side plenty
of options. And with Wilmots ready to juggle
formations and personnel when necessary,

Belgian most likely to... become pals with the locals? Find out at TheGuide.FourFourTwo.com

THE 60-SECOND DOSSIER

5

Lukaku

Mirallas

Ogunjimi

Hazard

De Bruyne

12

OWon by two or more goals

OWon by one goal
OScore draw
OGoalless draw
OLost by one goal
OLost by two or more goals

Fellaini

SCORERS SINCE
LAST WORLD CUP

Benteke

RESULTS SINCE
LAST WORLD CUP

3
6

20-YEAR FIFA RANKING

1
5
10

10
15
20
40

16

18
40

31

36

27

30

30

17

23
42
56

60
80

15
37

46
62

62

44

59

95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14

IN NUMBERS

They won eight of their 10

qualiers. Only Germany
and Holland (9) won more
in the UEFA campaign.

87

Courtois had the best save

percentage of any keeper
who made at least 20
saves (87.1 per cent).

Only Spain (3) managed

to concede fewer goals
in the UEFA qualifying
groups than Belgium (4).

Eden Hazard: take-ons v Sunderland (A)

The Chelsea schemer not only gets in
the box as proved by a hat-trick against
Newcastle but can make something out
of nothing. Here he scored twice, made
four chances and beat defenders for fun.

WEAKNESSES
While the spine of the side is stocked with
excellent players, there are areas in
which Belgium cant eld anyone
half-decent namely full-back.
Toby Alderweireld and Jan
Vertonghen have been
pushed wide, leaving the
team susceptible to pacy
wingers something this
World Cup is packed with.
LESSONS FROM QUALIFYING
Can you be too blessed with offensive
riches? With so many attack-minded
players, wires can become crossed
upfront. Creating chances isnt
a problem, but nishing them often
is: only once in qualifying did they

MAROUANE FELLAINI
When was the rst time you
realised this Belgian team
could achieve great things?
After the Olympics in 2008,
where we nished fourth, I
think we started to realise the
kind of potential we had. The
year before, we played at the
European Under-21
Championship with
a good team we
had Jan Vertonghen
[right], Thomas
Vermaelen, Kevin
Mirallas, Axel
Witsel, Sebastien
Pocognoli... good
players, we knew
we had a good
generation. So we
thought: now lets see what
happens in ve years time.

Stats provided by

STATS ZONE SAYS:

they have plans B, C and D on hand. Plus,

having Europes nest young keeper, Courtois,
between the sticks calms the defence.

PLAYER INTERVIEW

What is the main strength of

the current Belgium team?
I think we have everything in
this team: technical players,
physical players a good mix.
Some people say that the
friendly against Holland in
August 2012, which Belgium
won 4-2, was a turning point.
How crucial was that game?
Before we played Holland, we
played England [a friendly at
Wembley in June 2012], which
was a good game for us as well,
even though we lost. After that
was the Holland game, which I

actually missed because of

an injury. That was a great
game and we gained much
belief from it. But we also
played well during Euro 2012
qualication, even if we
didnt have much luck.
With your Moroccan roots,
have you ever
contemplated
playing for
the country of
your parents?
Belgium approached
me rst, and I said
OK to them. Morocco
did contact me
afterwards, but
by then I had
already made my decision.
Why do you think Belgium
have struggled of late? [They
lost to Colombia and Japan
and drew against Ivory Coast].
With friendlies, you are careful
to avoid injuries, so I think
thats why. When the World Cup
comes, well be really motivated.
What are your realistic
expectations for Brazil?
If we nish rst or second in
our group, we know well face
a big team next: Germany or
Portugal. In one-off games you
never know what will happen,
but those are big teams, who
want to go to the nal as well.

score more than twice. They need to improve

their conversion rate, which wont be helped
by Bentekes untimely injury.
VERDICT
An easy group could give Belgium a false
sense of security, as theyll likely run
into Portugal or Germany in the last
16 and suddenly face an altogether
more thorough examination.
Get past one of those two wily
World Cup operators and well
start to believe the hype.
KEY PLAYER
Plenty scoffed at the 32m Chelsea paid
for Eden Hazard (left) in 2012, but he has
shone this season in particular. The
winger has only just hit his stride for
the national side after his attitude was
questioned by previous coaches. Should
he replicate his club form, hell have the
biggest say in how far Belgium go.

WorldMags.net

FourFourTwo.com World Cup Preview 2014 67

wide quickly; many of the 20 goals they scored

in qualifying came from accurate deliveries
and intelligent movement.
STRENGTHS
The side is built upon a solid core. Little gets
past experienced CSKA Moscow centre-backs
Sergei Ignashevich and Vasili Berezutski,
largely thanks to the support they receive from
mideld. There is strong running and a goal
threat on the anks, particularly through
Dynamo Moscows Aleksandr Kokorin (main
picture), and a healthy breadth of goalscorers.
WEAKNESSES
Striker Aleksandr Kerzhakov rarely convinces
at the highest level, which will put pressure
on those supporting him. An ageing team may
struggle to stay with fresher opponents in hot
conditions, while key right-back Aleksandr
Anyukov is among several who have suffered
disrupted domestic seasons.
LESSONS FROM QUALIFYING
Focus! Russias defensive record during
the qualiers was enviable, but they
conceded 90th-minute goals against
lesser opposition three times. There
wont be any such margin for error
in Brazil against better foes.

RUSSIA
Its not hard to see why Russians dont get
too worked up about qualication for a World
Cup. Their previous two appearances at the
nals ended at the group stage, and a dismal
unravelling at Euro 2012 did nothing to
augment a poor record at major tournaments.
But theres a sense that things are slightly
different this time around. Fabio Capello
wasted little time in whipping things into
shape upon his arrival in July 2012, and
his tightly drilled team has lost just twice
in Portugal and, bewilderingly, Northern
Ireland under the charge of the Italian.
While nobody thinks Russia can challenge
the leading contenders this summer, there is
genuine hope that their participation might at
least yield something more substantial than
a quiz question answer of Oleg Salenko.
THE PERCEPTION
Wannabe giants that, in practice, rarely deliver.
Difcult personalities and fragile egos that
wither as soon as the going gets tough,

68 World Cup Preview 2014 FourFourTwo.com

working for a manager

wholl drop them if they
dare to crack a smile.

FABIO CAPELLO
Has eradicated
the fragility that
dogged Russia
at Euro 2012,
building from
the back and
ensuring that all
parties are pulling
together. What
ultimately didnt
work for England
has put Russia
back on track.

THE REALITY
There havent been
sweeping personnel
changes under Capello,
but the outlook has altered.
Russia are playing for their
country, their manager and
for each other and have the
experience, not to mention the
club partnerships, for their most
convincing World Cup tilt.
THE MASTERPLAN
A 4-3-3 central trio of Igor Denisov,
Roman Shirokov and Viktor Fayzulin are
integral to a high-pressing style, the latter
pair alternating in making late runs into
the box. Incisive without being
free-owing, Russia get the ball

WorldMags.net

VERDICT
Capello and his side should
have enough savvy
to squeeze through
the group at South
Koreas expense,
but a likely round
of 16 tie with
Germany will
surely mean
do svidaniya.
KEY PLAYER
Roman Shirokov (left) had an
unsettled season with Zenit St
Petersburg, falling out with ex-boss
Luciano Spalletti and being loaned
to Krasnodar. But it wont impact
on his summer: Capello made
him captain last October, largely
on account of a lung-busting
set of performances during
qualication in which
the notoriously abrasive
midelder set the tempo.

Read more at TheGuide.FourFourTwo.com

possession is rarely wasted. The aim is

ultimately to nd the tricky feet of striker Son,
as well as Lee Chung-Yong of Bolton out wide.
STRENGTHS
Fast, energetic and hard-working, South Korea
have an abundance of options in attack, with
plenty of players who can hurt the opposition.
They could easily eld a team without a player
over 26, and yet most of the squad have plenty
of international and European experience.
WEAKNESSES
Defending set-pieces was a major issue in
qualication, and while it has improved since
as it should under ex-sweeper Hong its still a
cause for concern, as is defensive organisation
generally. The keepers have been inconsistent,
too, while the full-backs are nothing special.

SOUTH KOREA
Rarely has a team celebrated qualication
for the World Cup in such a subdued fashion
not because an eighth successive appearance
is now a given, but because nishing above
Uzbekistan on goal difference (and by just
the one goal) was nothing to be proud of
after a string of disappointing performances.
Since then, new coach and ex-playing
legend Hong Myung-Bo has set about
breathing new life into the team by restoring
old Korean virtues of pace, power and precision.
Finding a role for Bayer Leverkusens
Sonsational Son Heung-Min (main picture,
left) could be the difference between success
and failure. And after a favourable draw,
condence in this young teams chances of
making the knockout stage is growing.
THE PERCEPTION
A robotic-like team of players with
similar-sounding names that will run all day,
all night, and then back to east Asia from South
America if necessary. Only without creativity.

THE REALITY
Probably the youngest
and fastest team in Brazil.
Their attacking play,
when it comes off, can
at times be dazzling
to watch, even if what
happens at the other end
of the pitch isnt always
so easy on the eye.

HONG
MYUNG-BO
He only took over
in July, but the
former captain
knows the players
well after leading
the U20s to the
2009 World Cup
quarter-nal and
the Olympic team
to bronze in 2012.
Popular and
charismatic.

THE MASTERPLAN
Under Hong, South Korea
have returned to a fast
counter-attacking style, with wingers
who are adept at getting behind
opposing back lines and moving the
ball into the area for late-arriving
midelders. Ki Sung-Yueng
gives the
defence an
outlet and
ensures

WorldMags.net

LESSONS FROM QUALIFYING

Relying on domestic rather than
European-based players backred
on previous coach Choi Kang-Hee,
as did trying to play an unfamiliar
long-ball game to a big striker.
The aforementioned set-piece
problem was a recurring
nightmare for fans.
VERDICT
The Taegeuk Warriors
are capable of
winning or losing
all three group
games, but with an
inexperienced team
up against Capellos
Russia and a rising
Belgium, expect an
early ight home.
KEY PLAYER
Ki Sung-Yueng (left) has impressed
on loan at Sunderland this season
and will surely play a pivotal role
for South Korea in Brazil. Always
available for a pass, he ensures
they keep possession and
instigates most attacks. The
question is whether he plays
deep, as at Swansea, or replicates
his Sunderland role.

The full-backs and wingers are excellent

offensively and defensively, and attacks from
the anks are often converted with efciency.
Islam Slimani and El Arbi Hillel Soudani (main
picture) attack crosses in the air while Inters
Taider makes crucial late forays into the box.
STRENGTHS
Algerias frontmen Slimani, Soudani and
Feghouli have forged a pleasing three-way
understanding in attack. Feghouli is the main
offensive hub, which suits Soudani, who excels
at ghosting in and winning headers against
smaller full-backs. Slimani is a combative
poacher with an insatiable scoring instinct.
WEAKNESSES
The Fennecs have no decent goalkeepers,
only vaguely competent ones on a good day.
Another area of concern for Halilhodzic is in
defensive mideld, where there are destroyers
aplenty but no water-carriers who can team
destruction with accurate passing.

ALGERIA
Everything is in place for Algeria to do as well
as possible in Brazil. They have a largely young
squad with a few older heads, a determined
coach and a resourceful federation.
Superb pre-tournament preparations have
been augmented by the arrival of Tottenhams
newest pass-master, Nabil Bentaleb. Angst
about new recruits disrupting the group will
have been eased following a routine 2-0
victory over Slovenia in early March.
Many will recognise some of the players
donning white and green Madjid Bougherra,
Faouzi Ghoulam, Soane Feghouli, Saphir
Taider and Bentaleb and the household
names in this Fennecs squad will relish going
up against Belgium, Russia and South Korea
in a group thats wide open.
THE PERCEPTION
One of two participants that failed to score
a single goal at the 2010 World Cup, Algeria
are defensive dullards more interested in not
conceding than scoring.

70 World Cup Preview 2014 FourFourTwo.com

VAHID
HALILHODZIC
A brusque,
stubborn coach
whose teams
play disciplined,
attacking football.
The experienced
Bosnians team
selections can
sometimes
befuddle, but he
gets the very best
from his charges.

THE REALITY
This side is
brimming with
precocious talent
and are perfectly
capable of playing
attractive and attacking
football. Of the 40 sides
that participated in African
World Cup qualication,
only Ghana, Ivory Coast
and Egypt managed to
outscore the Algerians.
THE MASTERPLAN
Algeria have been loyal
to a symmetrical 4-3-3
since Halilhodzics
appointment in 2011.
They tend to press
high, recovering
possession and
keeping the ball well.

WorldMags.net

LESSONS FROM QUALIFYING

Six of the seven goals Algeria
conceded during their qualication
campaign came from set-pieces or
headers. Most mistakes can be
put down to goalkeeping
blunders, a lack of
defensive chemistry
or inexperience
and individual
blips, but defensive
organisation
remains a problem
area Algeria need
to address.
VERDICT
Group H is tough to call,
but qualifying for the
round of 16 would still
be a major step forward
for this Algerian side. Expect
them to just fall short of that objective.
KEY PLAYER
Captain Madjid Bougherra (left) has
accrued more than 60 caps and holds the
reins to this side. Former Rangers man Magic,
now playing for Qatari side Lekhwiya, will
need to call upon every ounce of experience to
help steer his untested team-mates.

WorldMags.net

From Sao Paulo on June 12 to the mythical Maracana in Rio 31 days later, FFT presents
the complete World Cup xtures list including where to watch it and the route to glory

GROUP A

GROUP B

Brazil, Mexico, Croatia, Cameroon

Date
June 12
June 13
June 17
June 18
June 23
June 23

Teams
Brazil v Croatia
Mexico v Cameroon
Brazil v Mexico
Cameroon v Croatia
Cameroon v Brazil
Croatia v Mexico

Venue
Sao Paulo
Natal
Fortaleza
Manaus
Brasilia
Recife

Spain, Holland, Chile, Australia

Time
9pm
5pm
8pm
11pm
9pm
9pm

TV
ITV
ITV
BBC
ITV
ITV
ITV

Colombia, Ivory Coast, Greece, Japan

Teams
Colombia v Greece
Ivory Coast v Japan
Colombia v Ivory Coast
Japan v Greece
Greece v Ivory Coast
Japan v Colombia

Venue
Belo Horizonte
Recife
Brasilia
Natal
Fortaleza
Cuiaba

TV
BBC
ITV
BBC
BBC
BBC
BBC

Venue
Brasilia
Porto Alegre
Salvador
Curitiba
Rio de Janeiro
Manaus

Time
5pm
8pm
8pm
11pm
9pm
9pm

Venue
Salvador
Natal
Fortaleza
Manaus
Brasilia
Recife

72 World Cup Preview 2014 FourFourTwo.com

Date
June 14
June 14
June 19
June 20
June 24
June 24

Teams
Uruguay v Costa Rica
England v Italy
Uruguay v England
Italy v Costa Rica
Costa Rica v England
Italy v Uruguay

Venue
Fortaleza
Manaus
Sao Paulo
Recife
Belo Horizonte
Natal

Time
8pm
11pm
8pm
5pm
5pm
5pm

TV
ITV
BBC
ITV
BBC
ITV
ITV

Date
June 15
June 16
June 21
June 21
June 25
June 25

Teams
Argentina v Bosnia & H
Iran v Nigeria
Argentina v Iran
Nigeria v Bosnia & H
Bosnia & H v Iran
Nigeria v Argentina

Venue
Rio de Janeiro
Curitiba
Belo Horizonte
Cuiaba
Salvador
Porto Alegre

Time
11pm
8pm
5pm
11pm
5pm
5pm

TV
BBC
BBC
ITV
BBC
ITV
ITV

GROUP H

Germany, Ghana, USA, Portugal

Teams
Germany v Portugal
Ghana v USA
Germany v Ghana
USA v Portugal
Portugal v Ghana
USA v Germany

TV
BBC
ITV
ITV
BBC
ITV
ITV

Argentina, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Iran, Nigeria

TV
ITV
BBC
ITV
ITV
BBC
BBC

GROUP G
Date
June 16
June 16
June 21
June 22
June 26
June 26

Time
8pm
11pm
5pm
8pm
5pm
5pm

GROUP F

France, Switzerland, Ecuador, Honduras

Teams
Switzerland v Ecuador
France v Honduras
Switzerland v France
Honduras v Ecuador
Ecuador v France
Honduras v Switzerland

Venue
Salvador
Cuiaba
Porto Alegre
Rio de Janeiro
Curitiba
Sao Paulo

England, Italy, Uruguay, Costa Rica

Time
5pm
2am
5pm
11pm
9pm
9pm

GROUP E
Date
June 15
June 15
June 20
June 20
June 25
June 25

Teams
Spain v Holland
Chile v Australia
Australia v Holland
Spain v Chile
Australia v Spain
Holland v Chile

GROUP D

GROUP C
Date
June 14
June 15
June 19
June 19
June 24
June 24

Date
June 13
June 13
June 18
June 18
June 23
June 23

Belgium, Russia, South Korea, Algeria

Time
5pm
11pm
8pm
11pm
5pm
5pm

TV
ITV
BBC
BBC
BBC
BBC
BBC

Date
June 17
June 17
June 22
June 22
June 26
June 26

Teams
Belgium v Algeria
Russia v South Korea
Belgium v Russia
South Korea v Algeria
Algeria v Russia
South Korea v Belgium

WorldMags.net

Venue
Belo Horizonte
Cuiaba
Rio de Janeiro
Porto Alegre
Curitiba
Sao Paulo

Time
5pm
11pm
5pm
8pm
9pm
9pm

TV
ITV
BBC
BBC
ITV
ITV
ITV

ROUTE TO THE FINAL: THE KNOCKOUT STAGES

Winner Group A
Match 1 June 28, 5pm

Winner Group B
Quarter-fnal 2

Quarter-fnal 4

Runner-up Group B

Runner-up Group A
July 4, 9pm

Semi-fnal 1

Semi-fnal 2

July 5, 9pm

Winner Group C
Match 2 June 28, 9pm

Winner Group D
Final

Quarter-fnal 2

Quarter-fnal 4

Runner-up Group D
July 13, 8pm

July 9, 9pm

Winner Group E

Winner Group F
Quarter-fnal 1

Quarter-fnal 3

Final

Runner-up Group F
Semi-fnal 1

Semi-fnal 2

July 5, 5pm

Winner Group G

Winner Group H
Quarter-fnal 1

Quarter-fnal 3

Runner-up Group H

Date
June 28
June 28
June 29
June 29
June 30
June 30
July 1
July 1

Venue
Belo Horizonte
Rio de Janeiro
Fortaleza
Recife
Brasilia
Porto Alegre
Sao Paulo
Salvador

Teams
Group A winner v Group B runner-up
Group C winner v Group D runner-up
Group B winner v Group A runner-up
Group D winner v Group C runner-up
Group E winner v Group F runner-up
Group G winner v Group H runner-up
Group F winner v Group E runner-up
Group H winner v Group G runner-up

QUARTER-FINALS
Match
QF1
QF2
QF3
QF4

Date
July 4
July 4
July 5
July 5

Venue
Rio de Janeiro
Fortaleza
Brasilia
Salvador

Date
July 8
July 9

Time
5pm
9pm
5pm
9pm

Teams
Winner of QF 2 v Winner of QF 1
Winner of QF 4 v Winner of QF 3

Time
9pm
9pm

Venue
Brasilia

Teams
Loser of SF 1 v Loser of SF 2

Time
9pm

Venue
Rio de Janeiro

Teams
Winner of SF 1 v Winner of SF 2

Venue
Belo Horizonte
Sao Paulo

THIRD PLACE
Match
-

Date
July 12

FINAL
Match
-

Date
July 13

Time
5pm
9pm
5pm
9pm
5pm
9pm
5pm
9pm

Teams
Winner of match 5 v Winner of match 6
Winner of match 1 v Winner of match 2
Winner of match 7 v Winner of match 8
Winner of match 3 v Winner of match 4

SEMI-FINALS
Match
SF1
SF2

Match 8 July 1, 9pm

Runner-up Group G

ROUND OF 16
Match
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8

Match 7 July 1, 5pm

Runner-up Group E
July 4, 5pm

Match 6 June 30, 9pm

Match 4 June 29, 9pm

Runner-up Group C
July 8, 9pm

Match 5 June 30, 5pm

Match 3 June 29, 5pm

Time
8pm

WorldMags.net

Listed kick-offs are BST. If kits clash, the rst-named

team chooses whether to change. Group positions
are decided by points, goal difference, goals scored,
head-to-head results, then drawing of lots. The top
two teams in each group go through. For knockout
matches, if scores are level after 90 minutes, its
30 minutes extra-time before penalties (gulp).

FourFourTwo.com World Cup Preview 2014 73

WorldMags.net

WorldMags.net

WorldMags.net