World Cup 2014

[Chelmsford_yid]

9 Days to go..Up Next Germany

Germany Squad

Goalkeepers: Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich), Roman Weidenfeller (Borussia Dortmund), Ron-Robert Zieler (Hannover)

Defenders: Jerome Boateng (Bayern Munich), Erik Durm (Borussia Dortmund), Kevin Grosskreutz (Borussia Dortmund), Benedikt Howedes (FC Schalke), Mats Hummels (Borussia Dortmund), Philipp Lahm (Bayern Munich), Per Mertesacker (Ars*nal)

Midfielders: Julian Draxler (Schalke), Matthias Ginter (Freiburg), Mario Gotze (Bayern Munich), Christoph Kramer (Borussia Monchengladbach), Sami Khedira (Real Madrid), Toni Kroos (Bayern Munich), Thomas Muller (Bayern Munich), Mesut Ozil (Ars*nal), Lukas Podolski (Ars*nal), Marco Reus (Borussia Dortmund), Andre Schurrle (Chelsea), Bastian Schweinsteiger (Bayern Munich)

Forward: Miroslav Klose (Lazio).


Germany have handed in there final 23 man squad - every team has to trim down to 23 by the 5th of June.
Coach - Joachim Low

The key players
Keeper Manuel Neuer is the undisputed No1, while many experts believe he is the real deal, equipped not only to follow in the footsteps of Oliver Kahn and Jens Lehmann, but also to develop into one of the best in the world. Full-back Philipp Lahm and schemer Bastian Schweinsteiger earned their international spurs long ago: each has reached 100 caps but is still at their peak.


The next generation appears immensely promising too. Former Real Madrid starlet Mesut Ozil, who now laces his boots at Ars*nal was just 21 when he thrilled the crowds at the 2010 FIFA World Cup and is a gifted creative player with passing ability to match the best in the world. Up front, Thomas Muller won the adidas Golden Boot and was named Best Young Player at the 2010 finals, while youngsters Marco Reus, Andre Schurrle, Toni Kroos and Mario Gotze keep getting better and better .

World Cup Winners - (1954,74,90)
They Play Portugal first.

[Chelmsford_yid]

8 Days to go..Next Up Portugal

Portugal Squad

Goalkeepers: Beto (Sevilla FC), Rui Patrício (Sporting Clube de Portugal), Eduardo (SC Braga).


Defenders: André Almeida (SL Benfica), Bruno Alves (Fenerbahçe SK), Fábio Coentrão (Real Madrid CF), Pepe (Real Madrid CF), João Pereira (Valencia CF), Ricardo Costa (Valencia CF), Neto (FC Zenit).


Midfielders: João Moutinho (AS Monaco FC), Miguel Veloso (FC Dynamo Kyiv), Raúl Meireles (Fenerbahçe SK), Rúben Amorim (SL Benfica), William Carvalho (Sporting Clube de Portugal), Rafa (SC Braga).


Forwards: Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid CF), Éder (SC Braga), Hélder Postiga (SS Lazio), Hugo Almeida (Beşiktaş JK), Nani (Manchester United FC), Silvestre Varela (FC Porto), Vieirinha (VfL Wolfsburg).


Coach - Paulo Bento



The key players
As he showed in the play-off against Sweden, Cristiano Ronaldo is still very much Portugal’s go-to man, though the peerless Real Madrid star is supported is by a very able cast. The central-defensive pairing of Pepe and Bruno Alves is the cornerstone of a very solid rearguard that also features flying full-backs Joao Pereira and Fabio Coentrao. Joao Moutinho is the heartbeat of a creative midfield unit, while Nani can also be relied upon to shine alongside Ronaldo.


Best Finish - Third Place(1966)
They will play Germany First.

[Chelmsford_yid]

7 Days to go..Next up Ghana


Ghana squad:
Goalkeepers: Fatau Dauda (Orlando Pirates), Adam Kwarasey (Stromsgodset), Stephen Adams (Aduana Stars)

Defenders: Samuel Inkoom (Platanias), Daniel Opare (Standard Liege), Harrison Afful (Esperance), John Boye (Rennes), Jonathan Mensah (Evian), Rashid Sumalia (Mamelodi Sundowns)

Midfielders: Michael Essien (AC Milan), Sulley Muntari (AC Milan), Rabiu Mohammed (Kuban Krasnodar), Kwadwo Asamoah (Juventus), Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu (Udinese), Afriyie Acquah (Parma), Christian Atsu (Vitesse Arnhem), Albert Adomah (Middlesbrough), Andre Ayew (Marseille), Mubarak Wakaso (Rubin Kazan)

Forwards: Asamoah Gyan (Al Ain), Kevin-Prince Boateng (Schalke), Abdul Majeed Waris (Valenciennes), Jordan Ayew (Sochaux).

Coach - Kwesi Appiah

The key players
There are few better midfields in the world than Ghana's as the Black Stars can call on veterans Michael Essien and Sulley Muntari as well as players hitting their prime like Andre Ayew, Kwadwo Asamoah and Kevin-Prince Boateng. Up front, the athletic Asamoah Gyan will be a vital focal point and no doubt anxious to prove that Ghana can be the undisputed class of Africa.

Best Finish - Quarter Finals(2010)
They will play USA first.
 

[Chelmsford_yid]

6 Days to go..Up Next USA


USA Squad
Goalkeepers: Brad Guzan (Aston Villa), Tim Howard (Everton), Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake)

Defenders: DaMarcus Beasley (Puebla), Matt Besler (Sporting Kansas City), John Brooks (Hertha Berlin), Geoff Cameron (Stoke City), Timmy Chandler (Nurnberg), Omar Gonzalez (LA Galaxy), Fabian Johnson (Borussia Monchengladbach), DeAndre Yedlin (Seattle Sounders)

Midfielders: Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake), Alejandro Bedoya (Nantes), Michael Bradley (Toronto FC), Brad Davis (Houston Dynamo), Mix Diskerud (Rosenborg), Julian Green (Bayern Munich), Jermaine Jones (Besiktas), Graham Zusi (Sporting Kansas City)

Forwards: Jozy Altidore (Sunderland), Clint Dempsey (Seattle Sounders), Aron Johannsson (AZ Alkmaar), Chris Wondolowski (San Jose Earthquakes)

Coach - Jurgen Klinsmann

Key players
Jozy Altidore, of English Premier League outfit Sunderland, emerged as the complete package during the final qualifying competition. Left out of the team due to poor form and attitude in the semi-final round,  Klinsmann reconsidered and wasn’t let down by his burly striker, who scored goals for fun and was the perfect partner for Clint Dempsey in attack. Beautifully with the sturdy central midfield presence of Roma’s Michael Bradley. With Tim Howard still a dominant presence between the sticks, the Americans are loaded with ability wherever you look.

Best Finish - Third Place(1930)
They Will play Ghana first.

[Chelmsford_yid]

5 Days to go..Up Next Belgium


Goalkeepers: Thibaut Courtois (Chelsea), Simon Mignolet (Liverpool), Sammy Bossut (Zulte-Waregem)

Defenders: Toby Alderweireld (Atletico Madrid), Anthony Vanden Borre (Anderlecht), Daniel Van Buyten (Bayern Munich), Vincent Kompany (Manchester City), Jan Vertonghen (Tottenham Hotspur), Thomas Vermaelen (Ars*nal), Nicolas Lombaerts (Zenit Saint Petersburg), Laurent Ciman (Standard Liège)

Midfielders: Axel Witsel (Zenit Saint Petersburg), Marouane Fellaini (Manchester United), Steven Defour (Porto), Moussa Dembélé, Nacer Chadli (both Tottenham Hotspur), Kevin De Bruyne (Wolfsburg)

Forwards: Romelu Lukaku (Chelsea), Divock Origi (Lille), Eden Hazard (Chelsea), Kevin Mirallas (Everton), Dries Mertens (Napoli), Adnan Januzaj (Manchester United)

Coach: Marc Wilmots

The key players
On paper, Belgium can call upon an armada of stars, all plying their trade in Europe’s most prestigious championships. The depth of their talent pool is striking, with Nacer Chadli threatening to eclipse crowd favourite Eden Hazard before the latter has approached anything near his peak. Romelu Lukaku, Kevin de Bruyne, Thibaut Courtois and Toby Alderweireld are the latest stars to emerge, while the likes of Vincent Kompany, Thomas Vermaelen, Axel Witsel, Marouane Fellaini and Steven Defour have already established themselves as senior figures.


Best Finish – Forth place(1986)

[Chelmsford_yid]

4 Days to go..Up Next Algeria






Goalkeepers: Rais M’bolhi (CSKA Sofia), Cedric Si Mohamed (CS Constantine), Mohamed Lamine Zemmamouche (USM Alger).


Defenders: Essaid Belkalem (Watford), Madjid Bougherra (Lekhwiya), Liassine Cadamuro Bentaiba (Mallorca), Faouzi Ghoulam (Napoli), Rafik Halliche (Academica), Aissa Mandi (Stade Reims), Carl Medjani (Valenciennes), Djamel Mesbah (Livorno).


Midfielders: Nabil Bentaleb (Tottenham), Yacine Brahimi (Granada), Medhi Lacen (Getafe), Mehdi Mostefa (Ajaccio), Saphir Taider (Inter Milan), Hassan Yebda (Udinese).


Forwards: Abdelmoumen Djabou (Club Africain), Sofiane Feghouli (Valencia), Nabil Ghilas (Porto), Riyad Mahrez (Leicester City), Islam Slimani (Sporting Lisbon), Hilal Soudani (Dinamo Zagreb).


Coach: Vahid Halilhodzic
The key players


Madjid Bougherra is a key figure at the back, and he scored the all-important winner in the second leg against Burkina Faso. Sofiane Feghouli is an exciting attacking midfielder, while Medhi Lacen holds things down in front of the defence. Islam Slimani emerged as the most prolific option in attack during qualifying.
Best Finish Group Stage(1982,86,2010)


They Will Play Belgium first.

[Chelmsford_yid]

3 Days to go..Up Next Russia


Russia squad:
Goalkeepers: Igor Akinfeev (CSKA Moscow), Yury Lodygin (Zenit St Petersburg), Sergei Ryzhikov (Rubin Kazan)


Defenders: Vasily Berezutsky, Sergei Ignashevich, Georgy Shchennikov (all CSKA Moscow), Vladimir Granat, Alexei Kozlov (both Dynamo Moscow), Andrei Yeschenko (Anzhi Makhachkala), Dmitry Kombarov (Spartak Moscow), Andrei Semenov (Terek Grozny)


Midfielders: Igor Denisov, Yury Zhirkov (both Dynamo Moscow), Alan Dzagoev (CSKA Moscow), Roman Shirokov (FC Krasnodar), Denis Glushakov (Spartak Moscow), Viktor Faizulin, Oleg Shatov (both Zenit St Petersburg)


Forwards: Alexander Kerzhakov (Zenit St Petersburg), Alexei Ionov, Alexander Kokorin (both Dynamo Moscow), Maxim Kanunnikov (Amkar Perm), Alexander Samedov (Lokomotiv Moscow)


Current coach: Fabio Capello


The key players
This latest Russian side is built on solid defensive foundations. Goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev did not miss a single minute of the qualifying competition and conceded just five goals during the course of it, while Sergey Ignashevich marshalled the defence with aplomb. Yet Fabio Capello’s most prized assets can be found in what is a technically gifted and astute midfield unit, where Roman Shirokov and Victor Fayzulin have continued to hone the partnership they have forged at Zenit St Petersburg, scoring six goals between them in the qualifiers.
Perhaps not surprisingly, the team’s top scorer was Kerzhakov. Though not always a starter, the Zenit striker helped himself to five goals during the campaign, the most important of them being that winner against the Portuguese. A lethal finisher, the former Sevilla man could wreak havoc in Brazil.


They will Play South Korea first

[Chelmsford_yid]

2 Days to go..Up Next South Korea


Goalkeepers: Jung Sung-ryong (Suwon Bluewings), Kim Seung-gyu (Ulsan Hyundai), Lee Bum-young (Busan I'Park).


Defenders: Hong Jeong-ho (Augsburg), Hwang Seo-ho (Sanfrecce Hiroshima), Kim Chang-soo (Kashiwa Reysol), Kim Young-gwon (Guangzhou Evergrande), Kwak Tae-hwi (Al Hilal), Lee Yong (Ulsan Hyundai), Yun Suk-young (QPR), Park Joo-ho (Mainz).


Midfielders: Ha Dae-sung (Beijing Guoan), Han Kook-young (Kashiwa Reysol), Ji Dong-won (Augsburg), Ki Sung-yueng (Swansea), Kim Bo-kyung (Cardiff City), Lee Chung-yong (Bolton), Park Jong-woo (Guangzhou R&F), Son Heung-min (Bayer Leverkusen).


Forwards: Kim Shin-wook (Ulsan Hyundai), Koo Ja-cheol (Mainz), Lee Keun-ho (Sangju Sangmu), Park Chu-young (Ars*nal).


Current coach: Hong Myungbo
The key players
The squad's make-up kept changing during the qualifying and under new coach Hong Myungbo, a new-look team has taken shape. A series of emerging stars, notably German-based Son Heungmin and Koo Jacheol, have graduated into the team's backbone force. Bolton Wanderers' Lee Chungyong is the new man wearing the captain's armband and home-based Kim Shinwook and Lee Keunho are proven goal-scorers.
Best Finish – Fourth Place(2002)


They will play Russia first.

[Chelmsford_yid]

1 day to go... To get you in the mood
World Cup 2014: The Samba Kings Welcome You to BRAZIL!!!!!! (Viva o Brasil)

[Paul Finch]

       Southend,
               What can I say, I really do not think there is anything that I can say other than THANKYOU. What you have written over the last 32, sorry 33 days has been amazing, you have not only critiqued every participating team in their respective groups, but you have also, IMO, given us an amazing build-up to what is a month long celebration of the game we all love, and that is FOOTBALL. Then you round it all off with a video, and if that doesn't whet the appetites, then nothing will, I for one am really looking forward to this World Cup in the home of the SAMBA KINGS. Thankyou very much, AMAZING.
      Yes I am definitely in the mood

 

[Chelmsford_yid]

       Southend,
               What can I say, I really do not think there is anything that I can say other than THANKYOU. What you have written over the last 32, sorry 33 days has been amazing, you have not only critiqued every participating team in their respective groups, but you have also, IMO, given us an amazing build-up to what is a month long celebration of the game we all love, and that is FOOTBALL. Then you round it all off with a video, and if that doesn't whet the appetites, then nothing will, I for one am really looking forward to this World Cup in the home of the SAMBA KINGS. Thankyou very much, AMAZING.
      Yes I am definitely in the mood

 

Not a problem I've enjoyed doing it, bring on the feast.

[Chelmsford_yid]

Group A Brazil v Croatia
Arena de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo Date: Thursday, 12 June Kick-off: 21:00BST


World Cup hosts Brazil are expected to face Croatia with the same starting line-up that beat Spain in last summer's Confederations Cup final.
That means playmaker Oscar is likely to start despite his recent poor form and a Brazilian media lobby for his Chelsea team-mate Willian.
Croatia are without suspended striker Mario Mandzukic, so Nikica Jelavic or Eduardo will deputise.
Sime Vrsaljko will play at left-back in place of the injured Danijel Pranjic.


Brazil beat Croatia 1-0 with a goal from Kaka in their only previous World Cup meeting during the 2006 group stage in Berlin.
The two sides drew 1-1 in Split in August 2005 in their only other encounter.


My Prediction Brazil 2-1 Croatia

[Chelmsford_yid]

Last nights result Brazil 3-1 Croatia

[Chelmsford_yid]

Group A
Mexico v Cameroon
Venue: Arena das Dunas, Natal Date: Friday 13 June Kick-off: 17:00 BST


Mexico coach Miguel Herrera has confirmed that striker Javier Hernandez will not start against Cameroon, having gone nine matches without a goal.
Giovani dos Santos will instead partner Oribe Peralta in attack, while Guillermo Ochoa is preferred in goal to Jose Corona.
Cameroon captain Samuel Eto'o is a doubt, having trained intermittently during the last few weeks.
Jean Makoun has just returned from an ankle injury and is unlikely to start.


This is only the second meeting between these two countries; Mexico won 1-0 in a friendly in Los Angeles in 1993.
Mexico have never beaten an African team in the World Cup in three attempts.


Group B
Spain v Netherlands
Venue: Arena Fonte Nova, Salvador Date: Friday 13 June Kick-off: 20:00 BST


Spain begin the defence of their World Cup crown with a fully-fit squad from which to choose.
Brazil-born striker Diego Costa has recovered from the injury problems that blighted the end of his club season.
Netherlands boss Louis van Gaal is expected to start with the 5-3-2 formation he has trialled in their warm-up matches.
Jonathan de Guzman is fit again after a hamstring injury, while Wesley Sneijder is in line to win his 100th cap.
Striker Robin van Persie is due to start despite being troubled by fitness problems with his groin and knee during Manchester United's campaign.


This is the first time in World Cup history that the finalists from the previous tournament have met in their first game.
Spain lead by five wins to four from their 10 previous meetings. The only draw was a friendly match in Barcelona in 1987 that finished 1-1.
Their only previous World Cup encounter was in the 2010 final, which Spain won 1-0
Spain have 16 returning players from their squad at the 2010 tournament - the Netherlands have seven.


Chile v Australia
Arena Pantanal, Cuiaba Date: Friday 13 June 2014 Kick-off: 23:00 BST


Chile coach Jorge Sampaoli says there is a "high possibility" that Arturo Vidal will be fit enough to play after training fully for the last three days.
Gary Medel is expected to operate in central defence, rather than the midfield role he has for Cardiff City.
Australia coach Ange Postecoglou has to decide whether or not to start veteran midfielder Mark Bresciano, who has been troubled by a back injury.
Crystal Palace midfielder Mile Jedinak will skipper the Socceroos.


Australia's first-ever point in a World Cup group came in a 0-0 draw against Chile in June 1974. It remains the Socceroos' only clean sheet in 10 World Cup matches.
Australia have never beaten La Roja in any competition, drawing that World Cup match and losing three other friendlies so far.

[Chelmsford_yid]

Yesturday's results


Mexico 1-0 Cameroon
Spain 1-5 Holland
Chile 3-1 Australia