GROUP C PREVIEW

GROUP C - "The Cauldron of Initiation”

Overview: At least two teams from Group C are very likely to become memorable surprise teams in this tournament. The priority candidates are hyper-talented Colombia, even if Falcao is missing, and carefully put-together Japan.

Seeing Vidal as a tourist against Australia yesterday makes me think that Colombia might actually be better off without superstar Falcao if he is not fit. Three excellent centre forwards will compete to fill his role without a real quality drop, and young speed-demon Carlos Carbonero of River Plate gets to strengthen the bench instead.

Japan are, as I indicated in my detailed preview, a work of art, capable of dominating and winning matches against even good opposition this time around. We are talking about two golden generations in two very different countries at the top of their game, all the more reason to expect “the unexpected.”

However, Greece are a new team and are not by far the worst team in the tournament, their expertise at taking one or three points and sliding through is still very much something to be feared by anyone. Their start striker, Olympiakos, Champions League and Fulham performer, the goatbearded terminator, Kostas Mitroglou needs only one or two chances to score, and their defence is very capable as tradition dictates.

Ivory Coast are a talented team, but their top stars are too old (Drogba) or exhausted from superb club seasons (Yaya Toure) and its up to the youngster generation to step up and drive the team bus. If some of their talent plays well, and doesn’t pull a Cameroon, anything could happen in Group C.

Although logic and merit dictates Colombia and Japan, with Ivory Coast to challenge for second and Greece last, if the table is exactly opposite to this in three matchdays it will not be a shock, but rather a single lucky roll of the dice.

The Big Questions:

Speed and technique (Colombia), discipline and craft (Japan), determination and strength (Greece), or power and inertia (Ivory Coast)?

Is it unfair to write off Ivory Coast as has-beens?

How slippery are Greece?

Teams: (click on team for links to my or other previews)

COLOMBIA – “Los Cafeteros”

(Neighbours say the coffee is white and taken without water in it)

Strengths: Bags of ability in all elven positions on the pitch, a real silent contender in terms of quality, a phenomenal, experienced coach, the element of surprise and no small surprise at that. Speed and strength, goals, technique, difficult to attack and play possession against.

Weakness: World class striker is out, others might not have the confidence even if they have the class, some real ancient dinosaurs start towards the back of the team, discipline and nerves could shatter under pressure.

Likely formation: 4222 – the formation that is traditionally Brazillian and was coined in Brazil, and gives a good distribution and fluidity between offense and defence. A minimum of four players find themselves in any area of the pitch at one time, and usually at least 6 in defence.

Coach: 10

José Pékerman

An underappreciated great, who made Argentina the power that it is together with Marcelo Bielsa, he was unlucky when heading Argentina team at the German World Cup, but his team put on some exhilarated performances there (like against Yugoslavia). Be surprised by nothing that Pekerman’s teams achieve.

GK: 8.5

DEF: 8.5

MID: 9.0

ATT: 9.0 – even with Falcao missing

The star: One of the best right wing players in the world game, but still to get recognition for it outside of Italy where he is largely responsible for Fiorentina’s top season. Juan Guillermo Cuadrado is a real creator and ace, and a top club is very likely to swoop in for this complete player this summer.

Pace, dribble, ship container of tricks, thundering shot, neat finishing, agility.

The defender: Cristián Zapata is very valued in Italy after great work at Udinese and decent performances for Milan, he is at his best for Colombia though. Wingbacks Armero and Zuniga are world class for their national team.

Technical, fast, strong, determined, a big game 90-minute player, a bit shaken on confidence perhaps.

The midfielder: Fredy Guarín is the midfield general of Colombia. The interman launches counterattacks and keeps the team’s tempo full-throttle.

Decisive, orchestrating, long-range shooting, focused.

The attacker: Teófilo Gutiérrez is largely unknown in Europe, but has a tremendous respect in Argentina where he has significant success in club football. This fast offsides-breaker and finisher can be a real wild card for Colombia against any high defensive line. He will play wide of target men Jackson Martinez, Bacca or Ramos.

The captain: Mario Yepes is a veteran granite rock in defence, his lack of speed is made up for by his leadership and phenomenal sense of position. He is a coach on the field to his colleagues.

The prospect:

James Rodriguez is 22 and has 5 goals in 22 games for Colombia from midfield. Falcao’s Monaco colleague, his surging midfield play and eye for scoring and creating are likely to make him a name at this World Cup.

Juan Fernando Quintero, 21, is heavily compared to Pirlo, and his passing, free kicks and game-winning ability are ranking him really highly as one of World Football’s major prospects.

Long shot, ingenuity, unpredictable, crafty, still needs to learn to impose himself for 90 minutes, can appear slow at times.

GREECE – “Ethniki Galanolefki"

(Translation: be always dramatic, kick them in the knee, and score goals with your bum cheeks)

Strengths: Some technical players, and a lot of brute force and good defensive qualities. New players yet same old for the Greeks, well not all new players, 6 are over 30, and the emblematic Karagounis and Kastouranis are still there full of life and drama. There is new talent that blends in well. Underrated, even by me. 5 of Greece’s last 8 wins were 1-0. The wingbacks work real wonders on the counterattack now.

This team is very well integrated and very well trained.

Weaknesses: Limited game plan, Greeks control games in defensive shells, but find it hard to adapt to tactically skilled teams. Lack of high-quality squad depth. A bit thin in the goalkeeping department. Some of the key players had very injury-hit seasons and little playing time, and there are new draftees especially in goal.

Many key players were a bit old for the strain of a World Cup five years ago already.

Likely formation: 451 defensive is standard and classic, but under Santos the defence has gotten tighter than under Rehagel and the goals more frequent. Could deploy 541 against bigger teams.

Coach: 7.6

Fernando Santos

The old Portuguese melchancholic grump has improved on Rehagel’s team to some respect, but the extremely defensive antics are also what limits the team. So far they find it very hard to chase an opponent’s lead, and their entire strategy comes on leaving no space and counterattacking.

GK: 7.1

DEF: 9.2 – even when not playing defensive, they are great defenders

MID: 7.4 – better than past midfields, Greece can actually play possession now if needed

ATT: 8.2 - 53 national team goals among 4 players

The star: who else would have a defender as a star? Dortmund’s Sokratis Papastathopoulos is now the heart of the Greek team, and it’s his grit and determination that have given the Ethnikos so many clean sheets in recent years.

Tackle, determination, positioning, experience, teamwork.

The defender: They are all top class, but the highly underrated player is Roma’s Vasilis Torosidis who can play in a number of positions very well, but plays best on either side as a full back.

Deep crossing, power, speed, tackle, work, experience, highly underrated and forgotten despite significant class.

The midfielder: Panagiotis Kone is a workhorse for Bologna, and plays with passion and determination, although some would say he is better without a ball than with one. He is an attacking midfield with a major defensive contribution level, perfect for the Italian game. Despite all this his team suffered relegation from Serie A this year.

Determined, hardworking, big-game player, long-range shooter, lack of top technique.

The attacker: Kostas Mitroglou was supposed to save Fulham from relegation after thundering in many goals for Olympiakos in the Champions League, but he opted to get injured instead. On the day he is probably the best striker Greece has ever had, and his style is best described as “Heavy Tank.” But his form for this cup remains a mystery. 89 goals in 195 clubs games, including 17 in 19 for Olympiacos this season.

Strength, perfect finishing with foot, bum, or head. Impossible to mark, wins duels with anyone, bulldozer, coming back from long term injury, no match fitness.

The captain: Giorgos Karagounis, only 10 goals in 135 games is a surprising statistics, given that many of his goals came in key games when the world was watching. He is the emblematic, explosively joyous drama queen that puts the fire in the Greek belly.

Long-range shot, passion, tackle, game-winning, legendary determination.

The prospects:

Ioannis Fetfatzidis has a heck of dribble, and bags of pace. All 164 cm of him play for Genoa in Serie A, and although he doesn’t score goals he is key to Greece’s counterattacks.

Panagiotis Tachtsidis is in the squad, but he is the future of the Greek defensive midfield. That disciplined anti-football and counterattack job is becoming his profession now.

IVORY COAST – “Les Éléphants” – French for the dinosaurs

Strengths: Yaya Toure, who has had a Ballon D’Or season with Manchester City. A lot of class, despite the aging stars. Power, technique, counter, goal-scoring, the hurrah after the last hurrah. Talented youth that could step up.

The new generation could come into their own with obvious potential.

Weaknesses: past their peak, same untalented-but-determined goalkeeper, failure at the last African Nations (again), accustomed to losing now, Drogba too old, Kolo Toure too old, Zokora too old.

Gap between inexperienced youth and burned out grandfathers.

Likely formation: an attacking 4-3-3 with very active fullbacks, should be changed for Greece match, 4-2-3-1 possession the alternative for bigger opponents.

Coach: 8.0

Sabri Lamouchi

I am impressed with what France ’98 stalwart Lamouchi has done so far, although I think keeping the old-boys is part of his contract. He is improving the play of young players, and dipping widely into the Ivorean talen in Belgium, Germany and France. I believe firmly that Lamouchi is capable of leading Ivory Coast out of this group, but the odds are against them.

GK: 7.3 – passion and determination and experience makes this score higher, the Ivoreans trust their goalkeeper.

DEF: 7.7 – this could be the source of their problem

MID: 8.9 – Yaya Toure is tired, Cheik Tiote had a bad season

ATT: 8.5 its actually down to Bony and Gervinho, Drogba still starts.

The star: Yaya Touré, not a battleship, not a carrier, but a whole fleet of spaceships is still an inadequate metaphore. His performances for Manchester City this season clinched them the title, but this could also mean the physical and psychological fatigue could be obvious.

Power dynamo, nuclear reactor, thundering goal scorer, unstoppable dribbler, powerful battlestation, incredible inertia, maximum fatigue, ongoing controversy of words with Manchester City and background transfer-saga.

The defender: Kolo Touré had a bad season with Liverpool, and since his suspension for dopping has not ever real come back to his former level.

Experienced, debugger, strong, slower, inconfident, prone-to-own-goals-this-season.

The midfielder: Max Gradel might not have lived up to his big move, or hyped potential (yet). He is still important with successful Saint-Etienne in France, and he is still tricky and all the more efficient.

Dribbler, assister, flair player, poor finisher.

The attackers: Gervinho and Wilfred Bony both.

Gervinho’s good Roma form could be influential on this cup, and he has gotten better at scoring. Spead, dribble, and now efficiency.

Bony’s brilliant touches and good finishing have been the highlight of Swansea’s season, and his price tag for bigger clubs is set at something close to 30 million pounds. 16 goals in twice as many games for the struggling Premiership team. First touch and finishing.

The captain: Didier Drogba has failed to perform for Ivory Coast at both of the last two nations cups, and it’s beyond me why he is still Captain or even selected. He might still do well for European clubs in big games, but he is a shadow of his former Chelsea self now. Off course it is Didier Drogba I am talking about, and he could prove me wrong.

A great, tired, slow, weaker, overconfident, takes place in starting lineup, misses key opportunities and penalties.

The prospects:

Oslo-born midfielder Mathis Bolly is considered by many experts as one of the 5 fastest runners in the game of football. The 21-year-old often plays of the bench in 2.Bundesliga, but his ability is obvious, if not his consistency and knowledge how to use his massive talent. He could still prove decisive if used right as an attacking midfielder to refresh the dinosaurs.

Right-back Serge Aurier has been so impressive that he is set to replace Sagna at Arsenal this summer. He wouldn’t be a drop in class, and even perhaps a step up, and a good signing for Wenger he would make. Likely started for Ivory Coast.

JAPAN – "the Samurai Blue"

Strengths: A great system, great squad cohesion, real world class players in attack. Tactical discipline, and great preparation. Good form, and great desire to impress. Great midfield, attack, goalkeeper and wingbacks. Goal and game control.

Creative.

Weaknesses: An imperfect central defence needing the whole team to work to protect them. Still a lack of strength and height against teams like Greece and Ivory Coast.

Weak in the air or against Greek tanks or Ivorean dinosaurs.

Likely formation: a fluid 4231 trained to perfection.

Coach: 8.8

Alberto Zaccheroni (ITA)

Innovator who led both the 3-4-3 and 4-2-3-1 revolution. He has worked hard and long in improving Japan and this is his artistic exhibition.

GK: 8.2

DEF: 7.2 central 8.5 flank

MID: 8.8

ATT: 7.8

The star: Keisuke Honda, although he didn’t settle in at troubled Milan under Seedorf. Nevertheless, the very talented player will be looking to find his form and be instrumental for Japan as he was in South Africa and throughout the qualifiers.

He is a bit of an old fashioned magician, and he started his career as a right winger with VVV Venlo in Holland. At 27 he already has 20 goals in 53 caps, a good number from free kicks.

Goal, surprise, flair, focus, big-game, medium-form club season.

The defender: Rarely is a wingback so profilic defensively and offensively for club and country these days as Yūto Nagatomo. One of the few outstanding players are Inter, Nagatomo manages to work hard and show determination (and score 5 goals in Serie A from defence) when his teammates are thinking of jumping ship.

Lungs, scores, defends, assists, covers full field.

The midfield: Yasuhito Endō the midfield anchor of Zaccheroni’s Japan is a 34-years-young. 141 caps and 21 goals are obviously not enough, as he continues to provide the discipline and wisdom in Japan’s midfield and raise the game of the teammates around him. He is now in his 14th year with Gamba Osaka, and showing only a little signage of slowing down.

He is still key, and although I hate comparisons very much “the Japanese Pirlo” because it’s rather strikingly true.

The attack: the most successful Japanese player in history in terms of club football is off course none other than Shinji Kagawa with 2 1.Bundesliga and a Premier League title to boot.

The 25 year old-Manchester United forward grabbed 6 goals in his first (championship) season under Alex Ferguson, but had a terrible goalless run this season under Moyes, along with the rest of his squad.

Nevertheless, with a likely move away (unless van Gaal wants him) looming after the cup, Kagawa will be desperate to once again re-demonstrate his midfield playmaking at the highest stage, and Japan will march on if he does.

Dribble, speed, penetration, creativity, goal, lack of confidence, not on top form.

The captain: 7 years in the 1.Bundesliga have made Makoto Hasebe a vital and disciplined midfield dynamo for Japan. His injury this season was such a blow the Nurnberg that they got relegated, but Hasebe is an excellent midfield general and looks a perfect player for Japan.

The prospects:

set to move to Europe very soon is Yoichiro Kakitani, who already has 4 goals in 9 games for Japan, and this young, flexible striker has an excellent feeling for goal. He is especially known for his stunning first-touch shots with body movement fooling the opposition goalkeeper.

still with Yokohama F. Marinos at 24, he is already a huge star in Japan due to his crafty and energetic dribbling, and sizzling goal scoring. Manabu Saito is the next big Japanese talent waiting for the European stage. He is excellent in both direct and possession football, linking play perfectly, but also scores bags of goals.

Find the schedule: here

The pick of the games:

Colombia – Ivory Coast

19^th June - 18h CET – Belo Horizonte

I can’t wait for this one and tip it to be a high-scoring game, with both teams trying to outscore each other. Their styles are contrasting, but nevertheless this should be a cracker of a match.

Ivory Coast - Japan

15^th June – 03h – Recife

A clash of worlds that the World Cup can provide, this is a key game already for both teams and should be bags of fun. Ivory Coast are good but Japan are better prepared.

The food table:

Greece smothers everyone like a calamari in tsatsiki before progressing from this group with a very bulged stomach.

Japan elegantly slip into second with raw fish and crunchy tasty things, and a good cup of green tea.

Colombia and Ivory Coast both do honourable battle, but the lack of concept leaves them tied at third, 1/3 point behind Japan.

The prediction:

This is a hard one, before reanalysing for the purposes of this piece I had Colombia and Japan through. Now, I am again, as always, afraid that this Greek team is actually better than past teams, and that means a lot given that they often manage everything with nothing.

I hold to my prediction, but with great uncertainty.

A hell of a group, perhaps the real group of death.

GROUP B PREVIEW

GROUP B - "The Big Battering”

Overview: Both of 2010’s finalists, one of the most capable underdogs have to play each other and significantly less talented cartilage crunchers Australia.

The unexpected is likely here, as this is a group where every minute of every game will count towards the outcome. While everyone is anticipating tonight’s Spain Holland, it might well end up being a messy affair with both teams not currently at their best.

In fact, if Chile would manage to top this group it would not be a surprise, as Spain look tired and worn out, and Holland have mostly a very new, very young squad, with Dutch supporters heavily concerned about an inexperienced and suspect defence.

With a lot of half-injured and half-out-of-form stars Spain could struggle, but so could Holland with a smidgen too many youths, however talented and capable, in the team. Chile have excellent potential, but some weaknesses including their very unorthodox and short defence. Australia are filled with unknowns, with their most recognized player, Cahill, playing out of his traditional position as a lone striker.

Those Australians love to give a tender bone massage to their speedier opponents, and the fact that their group is filled with fragile and technical precious crystal, we could see some heavy bruising.

The Big Questions:

Can Chile oust one of the two more established teams to progress?

Can Australia pull off a miracle and come away with both a point or two and the stealing of the World Cup hosting honours which have already been sold to Qatar?

Teams: (click on team for links to my or other previews)

SPAIN - "La Furia Roja"

Strengths: Experience, a tested system that still works and is still hard to beat, the leaders now were the supporting players four years ago, tacky-tucka, that fan Manolo who has been there longer than any of the players and often works harder during matches, raw class in a lot of departments. The team is very well gelled.

Possession play to its empirical definition. It still manages to control even the best opponents.

Weakness: Psychological and physical fatigue we talk of physical injuries but the Barcelona players for example have had the life sucked out of them this year, age and no replacement for people like Pujol, Diego Costa is likely overrated, weaker attacking line than in the past.

I especially argued the last two World Cups that it was finally the addition of good attackers that gave Spain the World Cup, but this lineup is burned out and too old, del Bosque puts too much trust in them. Spain have started showing serious cracks, and even if the floodgates don’t open this month they might soon.

Likely formation: 4231 – tried and tested, but keeping big names on the bench

Coach: 9.9

Vicente del Bosque

You cannot give a lower rating, and you cannot just stop trusting a coach that has already won everything… well he will go up to 10.0 If he manages even a bronze with exhausted Spain this time.

  

GK: 9.0 – in Casillas we trust(ed)

DEF: 9.1

MID: 9.8

ATT: 8.0

The star: David Silva is where all the Spanish hopes lie now, Iniesta and Xavi have already done their part, but it’s David Silva who was a keynote for Manchester City this season and is now the main actor for Spain.

Crafty, goal scoring, on top of the world game at the moment, tired

The defender: The two headed monster called Piqueramos, hat impregnated Shakira at the exact same time as getting Spanish defender of the year with Real Madrid. This beast keeps tight shop in the Spanish defensive zone, and manages to extend its skilful tentacles all over the pitch.

Experienced champions, skilled and tactically-wise, play well together, could prove fatigued

The midfielder: Xavi and Iniesta have been conquering the world for years together, and they still have what it takes. Will their conquistador act be successful in Brazil? Very possibly yes, but will it be enough?

Tired, masterful

The attacker: Diego Costa the naturalized Brazillian is very highly praised, and his imminent move to Chelsea from Atletico Madid is grabbing headlines. He is not however the reason for Atleti’s great season, and in my opinion too much praise is coming on him too soon.

Tall and has some skill, fighting and determined, overrated (but with Spain behind him that might prove insignificant)

The captain: Iker Casillas was mistreated by Real Madrid in recent years, and the powerful team even used their media influence to tarnish his reputation. His fantastic personal influence on any team, and his ability to take failure on the chin make him a great successor for the Spanish captaincy. At 33 this is set to be his swan song.

Shot stopper, leader, determined

The prospect:

Koke – the real engine that brought success to Atletico Madrid this season, he won’t get much time with Spain, but can be relied upon to bring great energy and play when he does.

Hard working, decisive, dynamo

César Azpilicueta – the only other “young” player in the Spain squad he had a great season with Chelsea after a great season with Marseille, and although he is only 24 he has been among my favourites for years.

Technical, hardworking, assists frequently, physically weak at times, needs more experience.

HOLLAND – “Oranje"

Strengths: Several historic players that have missed their chance a number of times already, underrated young, hungry players, a good, functional footballing pedigree that needs to finally achieve something, a strong bench.

Weaknesses: The spectre of massive failures in the past, especially at the last Euros lurking, an unconfident, inexperienced defence (although I don’t believe they are as bad as some say), the team still is gelling, a mediocre string of goalkeepers comparing to past greats.

Some players had very bad seasons with clubs.

I agree with van Gaal that the absence of underrated Kevin Strootman is a major absence for Holland, as for his midfield intelligence there is no replacement, yet. Van der vaart will be less missed.

Likely formation: 433 has been van Gaal’s preferred, 4231 the crowd’s, he has deployed 3-5-2’s but rumour has it he will switch against Spain to 532 tonight.

Coach: 9.1

Louis van Gaal

… is a talker, and since much of it is in Dutch the world doesn’t understand all of it. He is a tough coach, with touch, idealistic training methods that saw him fail at Bayern Munich for instance. His peak was perhaps in the 1990s but I still believe in van Gaal as one of the great football minds of our generation.

He has won a lot as a manager, but much of it long ago, and after this, his second spell with Holland he is heading to Manchester United in an attempt to recreate that team following the legacy of Alex Ferguson.

His idealism and tactical genius makes him expect too much of some players, and this could be a dangerous combination with a young Holland, even though much of these players have been trained from an early age in systems he authored.

GK: 7.8 – all to prove

DEF: 7.8

MID: 8.2 – last-chancers and kids

ATT: 9.1 let’s not kid ourselves by being too negative

The star: Arjen Robben won’t be around and at top speed for much longer, and he has often been the one performer for underperforming Holland at major tournaments. This could be his last major hurrah and he knows it, his wing-play will define things, and some goals would help.

Classic player, goal scorer but inconsistent, shoots too much, can be selfish, highly dangerous and a game changer. Just when you think you know Robben he surprises you.

The defender: Ron Vlaar is the one true experienced central defender in Holland, and having slaved away at Aston Villa he is accustomed to getting a lot of work back there.

Strong, decisive, consistent for club, this could be a chance to expand on his growing but still small reputation.

The midfielder: Wesley Sneijder has rediscovered form and joy at Galatasary it seems, can this emblematic midfielder repeat his great World Cup last time out?

Pressured, brilliant, free kick and pass genius, classic player, dropped his level and fitness in recent years.

The attacker: although I could mention Huntelaar or Kuyt I want to focus on powerful forward Jermaine Lens who has scored so many goals, and many off the bench for van Gaal’s Dutch team.

Strong, penetrating, masters the channels and beats offside. Could develop into a complete forward if he had a bit more team and creative play. 

The captain: Robin van Persie is coming out of a poor club season, and he has a last chance to prove that he has the personality to live up to his massive well-earned mercenary reputation for his country as well.

Technical, surprising, world class even if many don’t like him, fragile and injury-prone, playing with pain, perhaps lacking motivation.

Strange choice for Captain looking from the outside, but since his quality speaks for itself and Holland’s performances rely on him maybe this is understandable.

The prospects:

Jordy Clasie – is one of the big prospects of this World Cup at 22, because van Gaal is doing wonders with him for the national team. His passing is phenomenal and he is very dangerous with the ball. Where he cannot fill Strootman’s shoes is off-the-ball.

Superb passer, creative, small and weak, determined

Memphis Depay – a tricky dribbler with terrible finishing, but fun to watch like so many Dutch youngsters before him this might be his break.

Tricky, craft, can play on either wing, couldn’t shoot a ball into the ocean.

Bruno Martins Indi – Feyenoord has trained some good defenders in the past, and after a gap in time Indi might be the next generation of that quality.

Strong, fast, inexperienced, mistake prone, could get lost against major opponents.

CHILE - "the other La Roja"

Strengths: Several world class players, some more fantastic underrated players, speed, flair, many pages in their trick book, a desire to live up to their inherent quality, underdog status, versatile players

In Chile players really each master three or four positions traditionally, no less so for the national team, this helps with tournaments should they do the impossible and progress

Weaknesses: suspect defence, imperfect attack, the 2010 team was better, injuries and fatigue for key players, lack of tall and physically strong players, some big talents were left at home in favour or tamer more experienced players

A lot of experimentation by Sampaoli is likely a bad thing but could prove sheer genius, as those things happen you know.

Likely formation: 4-3-3 that turns in 3-4-3, imagine a lot of dynamism and a lot of versatile players and you get something really interesting tactically. Chile play the classical Ajax or Barcelona formation that Dutch van Gaal was one of the fathers of.

Everyone talks about different aspects of Chile, but the most interesting thing is that the defence could consist of two short, fast, converted defensive midfielders at any point in the group. They are good players, and good defensively, but it must be nerve-racking to be a Chile fan watching.

Coach: 8.2

Jorge Sampaoli (Arg of Italian origin)

The jury is still out, but he seems to have bags of tactical knowledge, I want to rate him lower because I am undecided even though I watched many of Chile’s games, but I think he might be a really good coach about to reveal himself.

GK: 7.8

DEF: 7.8 – a lot of central defenders out

MID: 9.5

ATT: 9.5 on the wings, 7.5 in the middle

The star: Arturo Vidal has been superb for Juventus these past seasons, but injury could rule him out of the first game against Australia (a great place to pick up another) and maybe even beyond.

Decisive, everywhere on the pitch, contributes with goals, superb passer, tempo-setter and ball-winner. Yellow-card prone.

The defender: Gary Medel is a converted defensive midfield, who I value tremendously for his tackling and industrial hard work. He has in the past been prone to tempermental play, cards and sendings off.

Superb tackler, fast, aptly nicknamed “pitbull,” tireless, ball winner and counterattack starter, can’t score, and referees often hate him. A frustrating season with Cardiff City.

The midfielder: under Sampaoli “el Mago” or “the Magician” Jorge Valdívia has found his form with the side again. He has a big reputation in Brazillian league football for being very creative and decisive despite his lack of physical positives.

Superb passer, tempo setter, makes decisive assists, slow and weak, sometimes inefficient and wasteful under pressure.  Capable of stunning play.

The attacker: it has to be Alexis Sánchez, who for me was the only high point of Barcelona’s season, yet he cannot be appreciated despite 21 goals and 15 assists this season. This has to be his World Cup, and with him in form down the left or right Chile can achieve very much indeed.

A lightning-fast man-muscle, decisive, goal scorer, technically savvy, underrated although highly-rated, unmarkable, determined, tired

The captain: In Claudio Bravo Sampaoli trusts. Sure, he has been great for overachievers Real Sociedad over the past two seasons, but just in case his replacements are good. He is determined and a big game player, who can stop one-on-ones well in case the improvised defence screws up.

Brave, determined, commanding, in good form.

The prospects:

Felipe Gutiérrez is a skilled winger and attacking midfield who is still largely unknown, but could be on his way to a bigger club or league soon.

Eduardo Vargas failed to get the time to prove himself at Napoli, but became a major fixture at Valencia on loan this season. He is only 24, but with a huge South American reputation at decisive goals and fantastic play and goals in important games he could prove a key secret weapon for Chile.

AUSTRALIA – "the Socceroos"

(More honestly the “brain bouncers” would work than any allusion to fuzziness and kangaroos)

Strengths: Freshness like the smell of burning sheep meat, no pressure (except for false Australian expectations), almost no stars remaining, speed and strength, determination in bags

Weaknesses: Lack of quality, lack of experience, lack of stamina from not playing in top leagues, the two star players Bresciano and Cahill are very old and tired, mistake-prone

Likely formation: Surprisingly, the coach is insane and likes to try attacking and possession football and plays a 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 for the World Cup, at least they could go out with a  better reputation that their last boring defensive performances.

Coach: 5.5

Ange Postecoglu (AUS of Greek origin)

I am not giving him a low rating because his rhetorhic doesn’t impress me, or his intent on having Australia try attacking football is not respectable. He seems falsely overconfident sadly, and if he starts to achieve his experiment it will be a miracle and I will throw in my full support. At the moment thought, it seems rightfully insane to abandon great or once-great or good players with international experience like Schwarzer, Joshua Kennedy, Rogic, Wilkshire, Holman, Robbie Kruse, or Rhys Williams.

He seems to be taking decisions on bias and principle, not cold-hard logic. I would have definitely taken Schwarzer, Kennedy or Wilkshire. Australia qualified under Holger Osieck, but he was fired after a 6-0 demolishing by France in a friendly, and with him a lot of players were purged.

Australia is probably a madman’s crazy experiment, but since they are a real wild card, and there are some decent unknown players there something just might happen, but the chance is miniscule, and Postecoglu will prove the irrational genius instead of the mindless flop.

But honestly, I like that he is doing it for the sake of attacking football, maybe he simply represents a wonderful sense of realism that Australia has to market itself positively and be memorable rather than successful. His only experience is in the A-League, so we just have to wait and see.

GK: 6.5 – talented but untested

DEF: 6.0 – would struggle in many European second divisions, but traditionally physically strong

MID: 7.0 – I think better than on paper, some strong, tactical and disciplined players in there.

ATT: 5.2 – Cahill is a great if not old player but not a class attacker for such a high level, maybe a simple poacher or defensive striker role might work

The star: Tim Cahill has had a long career as a decisive goal scorer and match winner, but most of that happened years ago at Everton. I highly doubt the midfielder can perform as an effective attacker here.

Super-poacher, fighting, determined, good leader.

The defender: Alex Wilkinson is very highly rated in the Korean League, mainly because at 181 and and Australian build he is a giant-among-peers there, but he should be in over his head with a Dutch, Chilean, or Spanish attack.

Inexperienced, resilient, mistake-prone

The midfield: Mark Bresciano used to be a very succesful attacking midfielder in Serie A, and he is a consistent quality performer for the national team, although know he plays as a defensive midfield anchor.

Look for his good passes and long shot, he is getting very old and weaker, his stamina might not be there anymore, could crumble under a good press.

The attack: a medium performer in the 2.Bundesliga Mathew Leckie is a right or sometimes left winger for a 433, and at that level he is capable and hardworking, but only scores once in three games at best. He did have 9 assists in addition to his 10 club goals this season though.

Strong, determined, think traditional English talentless forward where grit and determination makes him look better than he is

The captain: Mile Jedinak is a charismatic, shy guy who contributed to keeping Crystal Palace up miraculously this season as captain. I think he is a real consistent and determined performer who can lead a team like few others, great choice, and might be a key ingredient if Postecoglu proves a genius not a fool.

The prospects:

all 170 cm of 22-year-old Tommy Oar who play for Dutch mega-giants Utrecht are actually underrated. Ok he only managed 4 goals this season, but this little unknown could be the second best winger, ok third best in Group B behind Alexis Sanchez and Robben. He is no great, but he looks good for Australia anyways, a player to watch out for because he creates goals for them.

Fast, determined, good balance, good team play, inexperienced and under-skilled, he might be going places though.

Find the schedule: here

The pick of the games:

Spain – Chile

18^th June - 20h CET – Rio

A great friendly clash in recent years, the Chileans have a thing for upsetting the favourites Spain regulary, and for disrupting Spanish control of the game effectively. This derby should be a cracker.

Spain – Holland

13^th June – 20h – Salvador

The kickoff of perhaps the only stadium that was worth building this World Cup, the repeat of last year’s final might prove to be an epic chess match between old men, but it also just might be a beautiful game with end-to-end stuff as well, especially if the Dutch score first.

The food table:

Australia with perfecting the simplicity of a barbecue win the group with 9 points drowned in not-so-bad wine

Spain with the crowd-pleasing tapas are just a point behind them due to arteries clogged with too much olive oil

Chile do ok with seafood, but the fact that it takes 3 days to cook their sea-snail or Molusco in milk leaves them with only a point

Holland, sorry Joe, chokes on friture and although the Indonesian fare manages to raise some smiles, it’s too little and too late.

The prediction:

Honestly if Holland and Spain play at even a middle level, then it all is down to Chile.

Australia surprising might happen, but so might Putin winning the Nobel Peace prize.

What is possible, within acceptable realms of probability, is that Chile might squeeze past one of the two favourites Spain or Holland, but that is still less likely than likely.

My game predictions, which I tried to be daring in, saw Spain faltering, and Chile and Holland going through. Now I was building up the courage to write that…

More likely predictions are a good number of yellow cards, a good number of desperate moments, and very close run at the end.