World Cup 2014 - Discussion Thread

[TheHidden01]

The World Cup is finally here and this thread will track it all, feel free to discuss the tournament here!

Represented Dragoons:-

Belgium - Urbanus
England - Dariv, Drakendour, Marshy, TheHidden01
Netherlands - Kreed
Russia - General Yoghurt
USA - Demon Fury, Madatrix


First Round

Group A

Brazil 3-1 Croatia
Mexico 1-0 Cameroon
Brazil 0-0 Mexico
Cameroon 0-4 Croatia
Cameroon 1-4 Brazil
Croatia 1-3 Mexico

1st Brazil 7pts
2nd Mexico 7pts
3rd Croatia 3pts
4th Cameroon 0pts


Group B

Spain 1-5 Netherlands
Chile 3-1 Australia
Australia 2-3 Netherlands
Spain 0-2 Chile
Australia 0-3 Spain
Netherlands 2-0 Chile

1st Netherlands 9pts
2nd Chile 6pts
3rd Spain 3pts
4th Australia 0pts

Group C

Colombia 3-0 Greece
Ivory Coast 2-1 Japan
Colombia 2-1 Ivory Coast
Japan 0-0 Greece
Greece 2-1 Ivory Coast
Japan 1-4 Colombia

1st Colombia 9pts
2nd Greece 4pts
3rd Ivory Coast 3pts
4th Japan 1pt

Group D

Uruguay 1-3 Costa Rica
England 1-2 Italy
Uruguay 2-1 England
Italy 0-1 Costa Rica
Costa Rica 0-0 England
Italy 0-1 Uruguay

1st Costa Rica 7pts
2nd Uruguay 6pts
3rd Italy 3pts
4th England 0pts

Group E

Switzerland 2-1 Ecuador
France 3-0 Honduras
Switzerland 2-5 France
Honduras 1-2 Ecuador
Ecuador 0-0 France
Honduras 0-3 Switzerland

1st France 7pts
2nd Switzerland 6pts
3rd Ecuador 4pts
4th Honduras 0pts

Group F

Argentina 2-1 Bosnia and Herzegovina
Iran 0-0 Nigeria
Argentina 1-0 Iran
Nigeria 1-0 Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina 3-1 Iran
Nigeria 2-3 Argentina

1st Argentina 9pts
2nd Nigeria 4pts
3rd Bosnia and Herzegovina 3pts
4th Iran 1pt

Group G

Germany 4-0 Portugal
Ghana 1-2 USA
Germany 2-2 Ghana
USA 2-2 Portugal
Portugal 2-1 Ghana
USA 0-1 Germany

1st Germany 7pts
2nd USA 4pts
3rd Portugal 4pts
4th Ghana 0pts

Group H

Belgium 2-1 Algeria
Russia 1-1 South Korea
Belgium 1-0 Russia
South Korea 2-4 Algeria
Algeria 1-1 Russia
South Korea 0-1 Belgium

1st Belgium 9pts
2nd Algeria 4pts
3rd Russia 2pts
4tg South Korea 1pt

Second Round

1. Brazil p1-1 Chile
2. Colombia 2-0 Uruguay
3. France 2-0 Nigeria
4. Germany 2-1 Algeria
5. Netherlands 2-1 Mexico
6. Costa Rica p1-1 Greece
7. Argentina 1-0 Switzerland
8. Belgium 2-1 USA

Quarter Finals

1. Brazil 2-1 Colombia
2. France 0-1 Germany
3. Netherlands vs Costa Rica
4. Argentina vs Belgium

Semi Finals

1. Brazil vs Germany
2. Winner of Match 3 vs Winner of Match 4

3rd and 4th Place Play Off

Loser of Match 1 vs Loser of Match 2

FINAL

Winner of Match 1 vs Winner of Match 2

CHAMPIONS - TO BE DECIDED!

----

TH

[TheHidden01]

Thursday 12th June 2014

The opening of the World Cup has come and what is rather odd there will be only one match on opening day instead of the ordinary two. What will be traditional is that the hosts, Brazil, will kick off the tournament meeting Europe's Croatia.

Opening ceremony, the hosts and possibly favourites, and the World Cup finally here makes this day, a great day!

Today's Schedule

Group A

Brazil vs Croatia - 21:00 BST, Arena de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo

BBC Sport's Mark Lawrenson: "Brazil are the hosts and a lot of people's favourites but the pressure and expectation they will have to put up with is massive. I think they will go very close to winning the tournament but it will not be easy for them.

"They will get through their first game without any problems, though. This Croatia side is nowhere near as strong as their teams from previous tournaments."

Lawro's prediction: Brazil 2-0 Croatia
TH's prediction: Brazil 2-0 Croatia

One To Watch

Strong in the air and composed in possession, Brazil captain Thiago Silva was the only defender shortlisted for the 2013 Fifa Ballon d'Or. He is worthy of a place in the great 1970 World Cup-winning Brazil side, according to Rivelino, who played in that team.

Silva, who plays for French champions Paris St-Germain, has struck up a particularly strong partnership with Chelsea defender David Luiz at the heart of the Brazil defence.

During coach Luiz Felipe Scolari's time in charge, the Selecao have won 84.61% of the games in which Silva and Luiz have both played. It is little wonder, then, that Silva's club are keen to pair them together at the Parc des Princes.

The key battle

Believe the hype; Neymar is pivotal to Brazil. Full of energy and tricks and able to dribble at incredible speed, he is the player most capable of changing a game for Scolari's side. The Barcelona forward was - as he so often is - the star of the show in the recent World Cup warm-up match against Panama, scoring one goal and having a hand in the others as Brazil won 4-0, taking his tally to 31 goals in 48 appearances.

Brazil striker Fred has said that if all else fails, get the ball to Neymar, such is his ability to make something out of nothing.

The same could be said of Luka Modric for Croatia. The former Tottenham playmaker, 28, excelled in a deep-lying role for Real Madrid this season and his passing accuracy of 89.73% was the highest by a non-Barcelona player in La Liga. His intelligence could be key to unlocking the Brazil defence and causing an upset.

Must See Moment

From the day in October 2007 that Brazil was awarded the World Cup, the South American country has been under the spotlight.
There have been widespread protests from Brazilians against staging the tournament, while doubts have persisted about whether stadiums and infrastructure will be completed in time.

Is Brazil ready? Or will this be a tournament marred by organisational problems and demonstrations from a sceptical public?

The answer to those questions should largely be answered at 19:15 BST, when the opening ceremony gets under way at the Arena de Sao Paulo, making that a must-see moment before a ball has even been kicked.

Stats of the Day

The host nation has never lost their first World Cup game, with the 20 previous hosts winning 14 and drawing six of their openers.



Eight of the last 12 opening matches at World Cups have produced one goal or less.


Croatia have conceded only 11 goals in 13 World Cup games (0.85/game). It's the best ratio among the 32 teams taking part in 2014.



Brazil won their one previous competitive meeting with Croatia 1-0 in the 2006 World Cup; Kaka scored the winner in Berlin that day.

World Cup Nostalgia


Brazil - you have been warned. The opening day at two of the last six World Cups has produced shocks far bigger than a Croatia win over the hosts would be this time around
.
Senegal's 1-0 defeat of defending champions France in the first match of the 2002 tournament - courtesy of a breakaway Papa Bouba Diop goal - was the start of a miserable campaign for the French as they finished bottom of their group.

Twelve years earlier, holders Argentina, led by Diego Maradona, were stunned as Francois Omam-Biyik's header saw Cameroon open the tournament with a 1-0 win over the favourites in Milan. An abiding memory of that game is Argentina forward Claudio Caniggia being taken out by Benjamin Massing's flying horizontal body check.

Today's Brazillian Lesson

Sao Paulo's residents - or Paulistanos - often claim to make the best pizza in the world, as well as the best Japanese food. But one thing they are famous for is "coxinha" - the deep-fried battered chicken snacks of national fame.

---

TH

[TheHidden01]

Friday 13th June 2014

With controversy striking the opening game of the tournament, Brazil managed to come out winners and will breath a sigh of relief. Today we have not one, but three games, including a rematch of the last World Cup final. Group A and B will all be completed for their first fixtures today.

Today's Schedule

Group A

Mexico vs Cameroon - 13 June, 17:00 BST, Arena das Dunas, Natal

BBC Sport's Mark Lawrenson: "Cameroon have some talented players in their team but I am not sure they have the consistency they need to get out of this group.

"The Indomitable Lions can be hit and miss and, if they have a bad day, Mexico have got the quality to punish them."


Lawro's prediction: Mexico 1-0 Cameroon
TheHidden01's prediction: Mexico 1-0 Cameroon

Group B

Spain vs Netherlands - 13 June, 20:00 BST, Arena Fonte Nova, Salvador

Lawrenson: "I am in Salvador covering this game for the BBC and, because of the enormity of the fixture, I think both teams will cancel each other out.
"Spain lack an outstanding striker and they are not a brilliant side any more but they are still a very, very good team. The Dutch, under new Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal, will be extremely competitive."

Lawro's prediction: Spain 1-1 Netherlands

Gary Lineker's prediction: "These are two of the great footballing nations but I'm going for Spain. Louis van Gaal likes to play with two wingers, one upfront and one behind, but it looks like Holland will adopt a 5-3-2 formation with Robin van Persie up top. It worked well in some friendlies. But against Spain, will they get that possession?

"Some say Spain are ageing a bit. But they have so many great and gifted midfield players. It will be interesting to see if they go with Diego Costa up front."

TheHidden01's prediction: Spain 2-1 Netherlands

Chile vs Australia - 13 June, 23:00 BST, Arena Pantanal, Cuiaba

Lawrenson: "The Australia players will give everything, as always, but they don't have the quality they need, especially in a group like this one. Chile have got enough class to pick them off."


Lawro's prediction: Chile 1-0 Australia
TheHidden01's prediction: Chile 2-0 Australia

One to watch

A dynamic box-to-box midfielder, Hector Herrera made headlines last summer when his transfer to Porto became the first major deal negotiated by Nicky Blair, the football agent son of former British Prime Minister Tony Blair.

Herrera impressed with his energy and incisive passing as part of Mexico's Olympic gold medal-winning side in 2012, a success they achieved at the expense of Brazil in the final.

An injury to Juan Carlos Medina means he may be asked to sit in a deeper role than he would normally prefer.

The Key Battle

Neither Spain nor Netherlands want for talent or flair, but both look predominantly to one man to provide their attacking inspiration.
Andres Iniesta, scorer of the winning goal in the 2010 World Cup final and the player of the tournament at Euro 2012, will lead his side's bid for a fourth consecutive major trophy.

Wesley Sneijder, scorer of five goals in South Africa four years ago and runner-up in the player of the tournament category, will aim to provide the firepower for Robin van Persie.

Must see moment

The meeting of two of the tournament favourites is undoubtedly Friday's unmissable moment, as Netherlands attempt to exact revenge on Spain for their extra-time defeat in the final in South Africa four years ago.

That game is particularly memorable for the lack of discipline on display - English referee Howard Webb booked 12 players and sent off Dutch defender John Heitinga.

With Van Gaal in charge of the Dutch and new Chelsea signing Cesc Fabregas and Diego Costa - who looks set to join him at Stamford Bridge - likely to be in action for Spain, there are plenty of reasons why there is only one thing you should be doing at 20:00 BST.



Stats of the Day

Spain have won their last six World Cup games, their best run in the tournament. Their last four games have ended in 1-0 wins.



Netherlands have made it past the group stages in their seven previous World Cups.

Mexico have lost more games than any other team at World Cup finals (24).



Cameroon have won only one of their last 13 World Cup games (1-0 v Saudi Arabia in 2002), drawing four and losing eight.

Australia's first point in a World Cup group came courtesy of a 0-0 draw against Chile in June 1974; it remains their only clean sheet in 10 matches at World Cup finals.



World Cup Nostalgia


Who can forget Nigel de Jong's karate kick on Xabi Alonso in the 2010 final and, just as memorably, referee Howard Webb's decision not to dismiss the Netherlands midfield enforcer.

With both sides aiming to become the first European team to win the competition outside of their own continent, a drab opening 45 minutes was followed by an increasingly tense second half and the drama of extra time. Then, with four minutes remaining, Iniesta pounced to secure Spain's first World Cup triumph and inflict a third final defeat on the Dutch.

Today's Brazillian lesson

In June, across the north east of Brazil you'll hear a lot of "forro", a type of traditional folk music.

It is here in the historical centre of Salvador, where Spain will take on Netherlands, that the African-music influenced Sao Joao festivities take place.
The most common instruments used to create this form of music are the triangle, accordion and zabumba - a type of bass drum.

TH

[TheHidden01]

Saturday 14th June 2014

Yesterday was simply astonishing, the reigning World Champions got destroyed by former runners-up, Netherlands. It really goes to show that no matter what, anything can happen on the night. Speaking of which, tonight will feature four matches, including my own England opening their campaign against Italy, a mouth watering tie that will be the game of the night in terms of size.

Group C

Colombia vs Greece - 17:00 BST, Estadio Mineirao, Belo Horizonte

BBC Sport's Mark Lawrenson: "I think the Greeks are ordinary but, even without Radamel Falcao, I am looking forward to watching Colombia. I think they will win their opening game, although I doubt it will be a classic.

"Because it is the opening game, Greece will be even more defensive than usual but Colombia have got enough quality in their attack to break them down."

Lawro's prediction: Colombia 2-0 Greece
TheHidden01's prediction: Colombia 1-1 Greece

Group D

Uruguay vs Costa Rica - 20:00 BST, Estadio Castelao, Fortaleza

Lawrenson: "Costa Rica have lost one of their best players to injury in Alvaro Saborio, who fractured a metatarsal, but I still think they will prove more difficult opponents for Uruguay than people might expect.


"Yes, Uruguay have got a lot of attacking talent, but I am not sure Luis Suarez will be fully fit - and as a defensive unit they are average."

Lawro's prediction: Uruguay 1-1 Costa Rica
TheHidden91's prediction: Uruguay 2-0 Costa Rica

Group D

England vs Italy - 23:00 BST, Arena Amazonia, Manaus

Lawrenson: "This is not the Italy of old and they are not a team that frightens me.

"The humidity in Manaus will be a factor but I think England will win. I also think they will top the group and will have a decent tournament.
"Without getting ahead of myself, the fact they know a team from Group C is waiting for them in the last 16 is a big positive. Whoever they get, it will be a winnable tie and I think England will get to the quarter-finals, at least."

Lawro's prediction: England 1-0 Italy
TheHidden01's prediction: England 1-1 Italy

Group D

Ivory Coast vs Japan - 15 June, 02:00 BST, Arena Pernambuco, Recife

Lawrenson: "Ivory Coast still have some fantastic players in their squad but I don't think they will make a big impact on this World Cup.

"Likewise, Japan do not excite me - especially because they do not have a world-class player like Yaya Toure to inspire them. He might make the difference in an otherwise tight match."

Lawro's prediction: Ivory Coast 1-1 Japan

One to watch


Uruguay's Diego Godin has always been in the shadows of his centre-back partner Diego Lugano, but not anymore.

Godin, 28, became a leader of men at Atletico Madrid this season and was voted La Liga player of the month in April and May.

His equalising goal against Barcelona on the last game of the La Liga season helped Atletico to the Spanish title for the first time in 18 years.

He also scored the opening goal in the Champions League final against Real Madrid a week later - a strike that was seconds away from being the winning goal.


The Key Battle


There will be few who will kick up a fuss over our choice of today's key battle - Steven Gerrard v Andrea Pirlo.



Midfield generals, quarterbacks - call them what you wish, this pair are key to their team's midfield.

Juventus veteran Pirlo, 35, who plans to quit the Azzurri after the tournament, was exceptional in helping Italy reach the Euro 2012 final. And England fans will remember how the hipster's favourite footballer was key in helping his side overcome England in the last eight. The 'Panenka' penalty anybody?
What about England captain Gerrard? Will he be assigned to keep Pirlo quiet? Or will we see Liverpool's engine given the freedom to cut through the Italy midfield like a hot knife through burro . Pirlo helped Juve win the title, but Gerrard made a league-high 13 assists and scored 13 goals in guiding Liverpool to second.

Must see moment


It has to be England's opening match at 23:00 BST. The nation will be sleeping a little later to catch Roy Hodgson's men try to shush the doubters by overcoming the Italians, who last won the World Cup way back in... 2006.

For England's it's 48 years of hurt, and few reckon that unwanted run will come to an end in four weeks' time, although how far England can actually go is anybody's guess.

One Lion whose roar has been quiet is forward Wayne Rooney - should he fire alongside in-form Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge then who knows.

Stats of the day

Italy beat England 4-2 on penalties in the quarter-finals of Euro 2012, the last competitive match between the two countries.



Uruguay have won six of the previous eight meetings against Costa Rica - the other two have ended in draws.

The Ivorians kept only three clean sheets in World Cup qualifying - no other team who qualified had a lower total.



Costa Rica coach Jorge Luis Pinto was manager of his native Colombia at the start of 2010.

Colombia won 2-0 in the sides' only previous meeting, which was a friendly in New York on 5 June 1994.



Japan have previously played in two World Cups outside of Europe - reaching the last 16 at both.

World Cup Nostalgia

The only other time England and Italy have met in a World Cup came in the third-place play-off in Italy in 1990, with the hosts winning 2-1. The tournament saw home forward Salvatore Schillachi emerge as a national hero, with his late winner against England earning him the golden boot with six goals.

A Sicilian with blazing wild eyes, Juventus striker 'Toto' was only brought into the tournament as a back-up to Roberto Baggio and Gianluca Vialli and he quickly faded at club level post-World Cup, making only 10 more appearances for Italy.

Today's Brazillian lesson

Amazonian river fish are a popular delicacy in Manaus, with pirarucu, tambaqui, matrinxa and jaraqui all worth a try.

There is also the famous bodo fish soup, which is said to be a good cure for a hangover.

The city also plays host to some of the celebrations of the annual folk tradition Boi Bumba, which tells the tale of a bull that dies and is brought back to life. Although the main events take place in the city of Parintins at the end of June, the rehearsals happen in Manaus, including concerts called Bar do Boi.

TH

[TheHidden01]

Sunday 15th June 2014

England's first game is done, and I find my national team defeated once more. Today doesn't feature heavyweight clashes as such but it does feature some heavyweight teams in the form of the French and Argentinians. Look out for Lionel Messi as he get's his World Cup underway, a man many view as the world's best player, if not one of the best of all time.

Group E

Switzerland vs Ecuador - 17:00 BST, Estadio Nacional, Brasilia

BBC Sport's Mark Lawrenson: "The Swiss are ranked sixth in the world and have some highly rated young players who will all want to prove themselves at a major tournament.

"I think they will have too much for Ecuador, who looked impressive in flashes against England last week - but we have to remember that was effectively an England B team in a pre-tournament friendly. I don't think they will cut it in Brazil."

Lawro's prediction: Switzerland 2-0 Ecuador

France vs Honduras - 20:00 BST, Estadio Beira-Rio, Porto Alegre

Lawrenson: "Bearing in mind the problems with harmony in their camp at previous tournaments, it is interesting to see what France boss Didier Deschamps has done with his squad for this World Cup. He has left out some good players, such as Manchester City's Samir Nasri, maybe because he does not think they are good travellers.


"France could not have a worse tournament than they did in South Africa in 2010, when they went home without winning a game. They will get a victory against Honduras for starters."

Lawro's prediction: France 2-1 Honduras

Group F

Argentina vs Bosnia-Herzegovina - 23:00 BST, Maracana, Rio de Janeiro

Lawrenson: "Argentina are my pick to win the World Cup. They have sorted out where Lionel Messi plays - behind the front two of Sergio Aguero and Gonzalo Higuain - and they have quality right through their team.

"Bosnia-Hercegovina have one or two outstanding players, but not enough to help them progress through the competition - and certainly not enough to stop Argentina."

Lawro's prediction: Argentina 2-0 Bosnia-Hercegovina

One to watch


France's Antoine Griezmann might not start, but it is highly likely he will come on as a substitute. He is a relative newcomer to the squad, but the Real Sociedad player has already made a big impact.

His link-up play with Mexico forward Carlos Vela has been one of the highlights of the La Liga season. The 23-year-old and his partner both scored 16 goals in the competition.

The swift forward has scored three goals in only four appearances for France, scoring twice after coming off the bench in the recent 8-0 win over Jamaica.

Griezmann is not only one to watch in this game but throughout the tournament.

The Key Battle

An unlikely selection, you might think, on a day when Messi is in action, but the battle between Ecuador striker Felipe Caicedo and Switzerland defender Fabian Schar could go a long way to shaping who qualifies from Group E. Former Manchester City forward Caicedo was his side's top scorer in qualifying and is set to lead the line against the Swiss.

The 25-year-old is a strong, powerful runner adept at holding the ball if played to him or chasing any passes played over the top - Basel centre-back Schar has his work cut out.

Schar, 22, is a rising star in the game. He has become a first pick under the management of German Ottmar Hitzfeld, impressing with his strong tackles and dominance in the air.

Will the new kid on the block be able to contain the slightly more experienced campaigner?

Must see moment

It is worth seeing how Messi performs for Argentina against Bosnia-Hercegovina from 23:00 BST. The brilliant Barcelona forward has scored only one goal in eight World Cup matches to date - yet the 26-year-old has scored nearly 400 times for Barcelona.

But this is not a one-man Argentina team - they also have Aguero, Angel Di Maria, Javier Mascherano and Ezequiel Lavezzi. South American sizzlers.
Despite having twice lifted the World Cup, Argentina have not reached the semi-finals since they last won it in 1990 - surely they will reach the last four this year?

Stats of the day

Argentina's tally of 35 goals was the highest in South American qualifying. Germany (36) are the only side to have scored more in preliminary matches for the 2014 World Cup.



Argentina players have been shown 113 cards (103 yellow, 10 red) at World Cups - more than any other nation.

No European strike duo can match the total of 18 goals shared by Bosnia-Hercegovina's Dzeko and Vedad Ibisevic in the qualifying campaign.



Honduras failed to score in six of their 16 qualifiers.

The only match France have won in the group stage of a World Cup in the last 12 years was against Togo in 2006.



World Cup Nostalgia


Who can see Argentina at a World Cup and not think of Diego Maradona?

The South Americans kick off their campaign on Sunday, 20 years and six days since Maradona played his last finals match, scoring in a 4-0 group victory over Greece at USA 94.


His maniacal, full-face celebration, though was quickly followed by him being thrown out of the tournament for testing positive for ephedrine - his second failed drugs test in World Cup history, having been banned for 15 months after Germany 1990.

A flawed genius, Maradona's World Cup record includes winning the tournament in 1986 and finishing runners-up in 1990. In total, he played 21 finals matches spanning four tournaments. England fans will remember him for his two goals, including his 'Hand of God', in the 1986 quarter-finals.

Today's Brazillian lesson

Let us take you to Porto Alegre - where France play Honduras - for a look at what the players might be tucking into if they are let loose in the city in the south of the country.

Anyone familiar with the southern tradition of churrasco will know that in the city the love for all kinds of barbecued meat is not restricted to steakhouses.

Most bars also serve delicious sandwiches of chicken heart - one of the city's most famous snacks.

Porto Alegre's most common souvenir is a kit to prepare chimarrao, the traditional caffeine-rich South American drink.

TH

[TheHidden01]

Tuesday 17th June 2014

Had a very busy day yesterday so couldn't update this thread, but I'm back again and ready to go. After today we would have seen every team in action as we close Group H. Not only that but we loop around again to see Brazil face Mexico, the hosts facing the other winning team in Group A.

Group H

Belgium vs Algeria - Estadio Mineirao, Belo Horizonte 17:00 BST

Mark Lawrenson: "Belgium have some very good players and they also have match-winners. Algeria will not be lacking technically or tactically but I am not sure they will be able to live with Belgium's power."

Lawro's prediction: Belgium 2-0 Algeria.

Group A

Brazil vs Mexico - Estadio Castelao, Fortaleza 20:00 BST

Lawrenson: "Brazil were nervy in their first game against Croatia and they were also given huge help by the referee's decisions because I don't think it was a penalty for their second goal and also Neymar should have been sent off.

"I think they will find it a bit easier in this game, though. Mexico have a decent recent record against Brazil and won their opening game against Cameroon. But, other than that, their form has been pretty poor."

Lawro's prediction: Brazil 2-0 Mexico 

Group H

Russia vs South Korea  - Arena Pantanal, Cuiaba 23:00 BST

Lawrenson: "I just hope Russia boss Fabio Capello has learned his lesson from the 2010 World Cup when, as England manager, he got his preparation completely wrong.

"Capello has some decent players in his squad and Russia should be too strong for South Korea, who have some skilful players but will have to cope when Russia play rough."

Lawro's prediction: Russia 2-0 South Korea.

One to watch

South Korea defender Kim Young-gwon is a robust central defender very much in the mould of national team coach Hong Myung-bo during his playing days.

Still only 24, the Guangzhou Evergrande defender has been tipped for great things by his club manager, Marcello Lippi. And the Italian World Cup-winning coach knows a thing or two about good defending.

Young-Gwon has never played professionally in his native country, having started he career in Japan with FC Tokyo before moving on to J League rivals Omiya Ardija.

The Key Battle

Belgium are fancied by many to make a big impact in the tournament and day six is the first chance to see Marc Wilmots' talented squad in action.


Chelsea playmaker Eden Hazard is one of their leading lights and Algeria will have their work cut out to keep him quiet.

The 23-year-old pops up on either wing or behind the central striker. The former Lille star has already been capped 45 times and has scored six goals.

Defender Djamel Mesbah, whose CV includes clubs such as AC Milan, Parma and Basel, likes to get forward but will be charged with keeping a close eye on Hazard. The 29-year-old, who played in the 2010 World Cup, is one of 18 players in the Africans' squad never to have played domestic football in Algeria.

Must see moment

With both sides having both won their opening matches, Brazil v Mexico at 20:00 BST promises to be an intriguing clash. The hosts were impressive enough in their 3-1 victory over Croatia but benefitted from some contentious refereeing decisions to prevail in Sao Paulo.

Mexico might have some sympathy with Croatia, having had two goals ruled out harshly in their opening fixture against Cameroon, although Oribe Peralta's strike meant Miguel Herrera's side came through with three points.

Stats of the day


Belgium have not lost a group stage match in their last two World Cup appearances - 1998 and 2002 - drawing five matches and winning one.



Algeria have failed to score in their last five World Cup games, attempting 71 unsuccessful shots since their last goal on 3 June 1986 against Northern Ireland.

Brazil are now unbeaten in 38 successive matches on home soil, with their most recent defeat coming against Paraguay (0-1 in a friendly) in August 2002.



Mexico have only beaten the Selecao once on Brazilian soil. It was on 31 October 1968 in a friendly (2-1).

This is South Korea's eighth consecutive World Cup (since 1986); only Brazil, Germany, Italy, Argentina and Spain can boast on longer streaks.



The one previous meeting between Russia and South Korea came in a friendly in November 2013 when Fabio Capello's side won 2-1.

World Cup Nostalgia


Brazil beat Mexico in the 1962 World Cup in Chile on their way to defending their world crown, the last time the sides have met in the finals.

Winger Mario Zagallo, who was on the score sheet that day, became the first footballer to win the World Cup as both a player and a manager. He won the tournament as a player in 1958 and 1962 before leading Brazil to the title in 1970. He was also assistant manager when they triumphed in 1994.

Germany's Franz Beckenbauer is the only other person to have won the World Cup as player (1974) and manager (1990).

Today's Brazilian lesson

While the steakhouses in most host cities in Brazil serve barbecued meat, big river fish is usually the dish of the day in Cuiaba, where Russia take on South Korea.

Diners can wash down their food with a choice of liqueurs unique to the area. One is flavoured with mangaba - the fruit of the mangabeira tree, a native of Brazilian tropical areas.

Local country music, what Brazilians call musica sertaneja, is one of the area's most popular rhythms.

TH

[TheHidden01]

Wednesday 18th June 2014

With the second phase of the group stages well under way we got some big questions to ask. The highlight game of the day see's Spain taking on Chile, one looking out of form, one looking brilliant. This match could see the World Champions out, so it's a do or die for Spain. It's going to be a great day of football!

Group B

Australia vs Netherlands - 17:00 BST, Estadio Beira-Rio, Porto Alegre

Mark Lawrenson: "Australia will give everything, again, but they just do not have the quality to test the Dutch.

"The only thing for Netherlands to watch out for is complacency. Yes, they had an outstanding win over Spain but they cannot just turn up and think they will win comfortably - they have to apply themselves as well."

Lawro's prediction: Australia 0-2 Netherlands

Spain vs Chile - 20:00 BST, Maracana, Rio de Janeiro

Lawrenson: "The defending champions suffered a complete collapse in the second half against Netherlands but if David Silva had scored from a great chance when they were 1-0 up before half-time, I am sure they would have gone on to win from there.


"Yes, I expect Spain manager Vicente Del Bosque to make some changes, including replacing Iker Casillas in goal, and possibly in the way that they play.
"But I also expect Spain to win. Chile beat Australia but that is the game in this group that the other three teams will be expecting to win."

Lawro's prediction: Spain 2-0 Chile

Group A

Cameroon vs Croatia - 23:00 BST, Arena Amazonia, Manaus

Lawrenson: "Croatia need to pick themselves up because they spent two days moaning about the decisions that went against them against Brazil, and that is probably long enough.

"They need to concentrate on the positives because they played well and caused Brazil some problems, especially Ivica Olic down the left. Cameroon, in contrast, were very poor against Mexico."

Lawro's prediction: Cameroon 1-2 Croatia

One to watch


Chile's Jorge Valdivia is a lavishly gifted playmaker. He has courted controversy off the field, but has rewarded coach Jorge Sampaoli's faith in him and scored the second goal in the 3-1 win over Australia on Friday.

This classic number 10 has served two lengthy bans from international football for alcohol-related indiscretions, and was kidnapped in Brazil in 2012.
However Sampaoli has called the 30-year-old an "irreplaceable talent", and compared him favourably to Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Now playing his club football with Palmeiras in Brazil for the second time, Valdivia's goal against Australia was only his fifth for his country and his first since May 2010.

The Key Battle

Barcelona forward Alexis Sanchez could face several of his club-mates, and potentially condemn them to an early exit from the tournament, when Chile play Spain in Manaus.

Sanchez, who became the most expensive player in Chilean football history with his £23m move from Udinese in 2011, scored one and laid on another in the 3-1 victory over Australia that has given his country such a good platform going into their meeting with the World Cup holders.

The 25-year-old's Barca colleague Gerard Pique has been a mainstay of Spain's success in recent years, and could be set to play against Sanchez, but Del Bosque has admitted he could make "some changes"  to his side in the wake of the defeat by the Netherlands that sent shockwaves through the tournament.

If Pique retains his place in Spain's back four, how he and his fellow defenders cope with Sanchez will go a long way to determining whether or not the World Cup holders' title defence ends a lot earlier than many would have predicted.

Stats of the Day

Chile have never beaten Spain in their 10 previous encounters, losing eight and drawing two.



Spain's 5-1 defeat by the Netherlands was the heaviest margin of defeat by a reigning World Cup champion in the history of the tournament. The previous heaviest were Brazil losing 3-0 to France in 1998 and West Germany losing 6-3 to France in 1958.

By netting against Spain, Robin van Persie and Arjen Robben became the first and second Netherlands players to score in three different World Cup tournaments - 2006, 2010 and 2014.



Tim Cahill, with four goals and one assist, has been involved in 56% of Australia's nine goals in World Cup history.

Cameroon only had one shot on target in the whole of their opening group game against Mexico - in the 91st minute.



Croatia have not won any of their past five World Cup matches, losing three and drawing two, with their most recent finals victory coming in 2002, when they beat Italy 2-1.

World Cup Nostalgia


Spain beat Chile 2-1 in South Africa four years ago, but their first World Cup encounter took place at today's venue, the Maracana, in 1950 when Spain won 2-0.

Both Chile and Australia were in action on 18 June at the 1974 World Cup in West Germany, having been drawn in the same group as the hosts and East Germany.

The Socceroos' interest in their first World Cup finals was effectively ended by their 3-0 defeat by West Germany, and it was to be a further 22 years before Australia made it to another tournament.

On the same day, Chile were held 1-1 by East Germany in West Berlin, and after a goalless draw with Australia in their final group match, the South Americans were also heading home.

Today's Brazilian lesson

Spain's vital match with Chile takes place at the Maracana, one of the most famous footballing venues in the world.

It hosted Brazil's ill-fated meeting with Uruguay in 1950, where the host nation, needing only a draw to win the World Cup, were defeated 2-0 in front of 200,000 people.

The result was deemed a national catastrophe and dubbed O Maracanaco , a Portuguese term roughly translated as 'The Maracana Blow'.

Nevertheless it has subsequently witnessed such memorable moments such as Pele's 1,000th career goal and an emotional memorial service for Garrincha, one of Brazil's greatest and most loved footballers.

The refurbished 73,500-capacity stadium will host the final on Sunday, 13 July.

TH

[TheHidden01]

Got some good matches tonight:-

USA vs Portugal
Belgium vs Russia
South Korea vs Algeria

Gonna be cracking first two games, intrigued to see how Portugal play.

TH

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