Hosts Brazil will play Croatia in the opening game of the tournament with Mexico and Cameroon completing Group A.

Edited by Joffa: 17/5/2014 09:54:20 PM

Edited by Joffa: 17/6/2014 10:28:27 PM

Croatia v Mexico v Cameroon. Interesting three-way battle? It could REALLY be between Croatia and Mexico. Cameroon's form in qualifying, they JUST scraped through and Eto'o and co are older. They're a 'name' CAF team, but substantively they aren't even as strong as some of the other 'name' CAF teams at present and tbh haven't been for some time?

Mexico unconvincing in qualification too though, but their weapons, including goalscorer Peralta (Who COULD be 'one-to-watch'?) and Dos Santos and the like, they really COULD shine/come good here or will they flatter to deceive? Javier Fernandez on the bench too.

But once again, some really interesting match ups here, in the supposed 'battle for second' with any one of them a genuinely good chance!

Their results against Group/Cup Favourites Brazil could/will be decisive too, just like our experience in 2010, each will need to lose by 'not too much/less than others' and draws would be ideal ofcourse.

Genuine three way battle, for second.

Host Brazil avoids tough group in World Cup draw

Source: Agencies | December 7, 2013, Saturday | ONLINE EDITION

Brazil escaped tough opponents in the group stage of next year's World Cup but will probably face a major rival as early as the second round.

Yesterday's draw put Croatia, Mexico and Cameroon in Group A along with Brazil, teams that really shouldn't keep the hosts and five-time winners from advancing.

But defending champion Spain or the Netherlands are lurking, likely to be the next opponents for the hosts in the second round. For that to happen, they need to finish as the top teams in Group B, which also contains Chile and Australia. The Dutch were runner-ups to Spain in 2010, when they eliminated Brazil in the quarterfinals.

In the quarterfinals, Brazil has a chance to play against one of the teams in Group D, which has world champions Uruguay, England and Italy, in addition to Costa Rica.

"We can't worry too far ahead past the group stage," coach Luiz Felipe Scolari said. "If you start thinking about the second round you forget about the teams in the first round, which are important. We have to worry about these teams first."

But Brazil hasn't had significant problems with its first-round opponents. Brazil played Croatia in its opening match in 2006, winning 1-0 in Berlin. It beat Cameroon 3-0 in the first round in 1994, when it eventually won its fourth World Cup title in the United States.

Brazil defeated Mexico all three times it played in the World Cup (1950, '54 and '62), and it also got past the Latin American rival in the group stage of the Confederations Cup this year, the warm-up tournament it won.

"Croatia has a beautiful game, Cameroon has done some great things against top teams in the World Cup and Mexico is always a tough opponent for us," Scolari said. "We have to prepare to play these matches and then we can think about the future."

Scolari said he is happy Brazil will play a European team in the June 12 opener in Sao Paulo.

"Europeans teams always take longer to adapt to the conditions in Brazil," Scolari said. "This first match is always difficult for all teams, but we live here, we work here, it's our country, so for us it's a little bit easier. In these first three matches it's important to get off to a good start."

France was the last team to win the World Cup at home, when it beat Brazil in the 1998 final.

Scolari was Brazil's coach when it won its last World Cup title in 2002. Since then, Brazil didn't make it past the quarterfinals in the last two World Cups. It lost to France in 2006 in Germany — despite a team with Ronaldinho, Kaka, Roberto Carlos and Ronaldo — and fell to the Netherlands 2-1 in 2010 in South Africa.

Scolari had a difficult start after returning in December 2012, but Brazil has won 11 of the last 12 matches it played. It won the Confederations Cup this year by beating world champion Spain 3-0 in the final at the Maracana Stadium. It got a huge boost from the boisterous home crowd in all matches, and more of the same is expected next year.

http://www.shanghaidaily.com/Sports/soccer/Host-Brazil-avoids-tough-group-in-World-Cup-draw/shdaily.shtml?

Group A: Preview and predictions
December 6, 2013

By John Brewin
Overview

The 2014 World Cup draw has been made, and Group A has some interesting matchups.

It's all about Brazil. Nothing less than total victory will be good enough for the host nation. The misery of losing in 1950's decider to Uruguay cannot be repeated. To right that wrong, and return to the scene of that crime -- the Maracana -- Brazil must reach the final. The journey begins in Sao Paulo, the largest city in the southern hemisphere, then up north to tropical Fortaleza before their final group game in the modern capital of Brasilia.

Luiz Felipe Scolari's team will be expected to win each group game as it begins the road to Rio. The draw handed to Brazil looks favourable and should be completed with ease. Mexico, if they can recover from a poor qualifying campaign, ought to be favoured to make the most of their regular acquaintance with playing in South American conditions.

Croatia and Cameroon have the look of teams that are there to make up the numbers and should prove easy prey. The Croats have the honour of playing the opener and must hope to rely on some first-night nerves. Beyond that, the other three must fight it out to face the winners from what looks to be a very strong Group B.

Projected finish

Brazil should be expected to finish as group winners with something to spare, with Mexico filling the role of runner-up. Croatia and Cameroon, meanwhile, face the prospect of an early exit.

Team-by-team

Brazil: The Confederations Cup victory placed the hosts as favourites for the real deal in 2014. Scolari will attempt to become the second coach to win two World Cups. Only Vittorio Pozzo, with Italy in 1934 and 1938, managed that feat. There is little point in looking beyond Neymar as the expected star, though he has a fine supporting cast. One weakness may be the lack of a striker in the finest traditions of Careca or Ronaldo, but expect Brazil to breeze through this group. Beyond that, they must win a sixth title on home soil. Or else.

Mexico: Just like last time, they are drawn in the same group as the host. Brazil clearly represent a far greater challenge than South Africa did. Mexico almost missed out on their habitual place in the finals during a ruinous qualifying campaign and had to rely on a playoff with New Zealand to make it. Mexican football looked on the rise when they won the Olympic final at Wembley in 2012, beating a Brazil team made up of many of the expected squad for the finals. Getting past the last 16 is, as ever, their goal.

Croatia: They needed a playoff to get to Brazil and were the bad guys in holding off the romantics' choice of Iceland. For such a young nation, they are experienced campaigners in this competition, though only the fervent patriot would suggest they have the strength to match the third place they reached in 1998. The absence of star Mario Mandzukic with a probable two-game suspension may prove costly, but they still have the skills of midfielder Luka Modric to call on. Former captain Niko Kovac replaced Igor Stimac but is perhaps the least-experienced coach in the tournament.

Cameroon: The Indomitable Lions no longer live up to their name. And in their seventh World Cup, they are no longer the wild cards they were in 1990, when they announced Africa's challenge on the world stage. They will need to improve on their hugely disappointing performance in South Africa, where they were the first team to exit. The star remains Samuel Eto'o, back after a very public fallout with the Cameroon authorities that was resolved only when the government stepped in. Eto'o is not the player he was, and neither are Cameroon as enticing a prospect.

Best individual battle: Neymar vs. Chicharito

Hard once more to look beyond Neymar. He is the name and face on every billboard in Brazil after all. The same goes for Mexico's Chicharito back home, even if he is in something of an unhappy slump as a reserve for Manchester United. He remains his country's standard-bearer and will be the player Brazil will most fear when the two teams meet in Fortaleza in their second match. Last time they met, Neymar scored a truly stunning goal to leave Javier Hernandez in the shadows and supplied a wonderful assist too.

Best game: Brazil vs. Mexico

Fortaleza will stage a rematch of the 2012 Olympic final, when Brazil came up against an opponent they have often found difficult in recent years. Mexico beat Brazil two months prior to that in a friendly staged in Dallas and even beat them at the 2007 Copa America. Brazil may be in a position to secure their passage to the next round with victory by then, leaving the rest of Group A fighting for scraps. This is a rematch of last year's Confederations Cup, and in the same venue. Brazil won 2-0 that time.

X factor: Look beyond Brazil

The hosts are a known quantity. Croatia will find it especially difficult to play in the tropical climates that all three places they travel to -- Sao Paulo, Manaus and Recife -- offer. It would be expected that Cameroon would find the climate less troublesome while Mexico should be used to it too. All three will be looking at damage limitation against the host and favourite then focusing on their remaining fixtures. That might give Brazil an even easier ride. Could goal difference be key to who goes through with them?

http://espnfc.com/news/story/_/id/1637698?cc=3436

Brazil and Croatia for me. I don't rate Cameroon that much and Mexico aren't what they used to be.

IMO, great group for Croatia to progress. Just unfortunate they will get Netherlands or Spain in the 2nd round.

Just a thought. Wouldn't these polls regarding each of the World Cup groups (currently just pick the winners) be better as to "which two teams will progress to the next round" (or something similar)?

ie. Group A poll would have the following poll questions.

Brazil & Croatia
Brazil & Mexico
Brazil & Cameron
Croatia & Mexico
Croatia & Cameron
Mexico & Cameron

Anyways, like I said. Just a thought.

Brazil to top the group with Croatia second.

Mexico are not in great form and it will be tough for Cameroon.

There is no time for Mexico to rebuild

Posted by Rafael Ramos Villagrana

COSTA DO SAUIPE, Brazil -- The mystery is over. Suspense prevails. The cards are on the table. All of them threaten Mexico in the World Cup.

Brazil. And Cameroon. And Croatia. FIFA's fortunetellers didn't read Mexico's future as they juggled those 32 little balls. Instead, they signed its death certificate.

The most recent Mexican national team, even the best version manager Miguel Herrera delivered against New Zealand, would not have the slightest chance if the starting whistle blew today, but... There won't be drumrolls, just the mournful sound of muffled trumpets, but...

The crucial path to the World Cup lasts only six months. Actually, 'El Piojo' Herrera will only have five months to work.

Miguel Herrera has five months to conjugate the verbs that lead to failure when urgency is more important than order, such as improvise; invent; repent; and patch.

- Marshall: Mexico's path out of the group stage

Five months to recoup the time wasted over three years. Five months to build upon the ruins. Five months to build amidst the rubble.

Can it be done? Is it feasible to face Brazil without being branded with the gruesome seal of an inevitable slaughter?

Is it possible to do battle more efficiently than Croatia?

Can the skill that makes Cameroon's players more marketable in Europe be challenged?

Let's begin with some undeniable facts: Mexico doesn't have even the faintest shadow of an experienced star like those of its opponents.

Brazil? Neymar, now maturing in Europe, will no longer be the selfish brat that Mexico tamed in that friendly in Houston.

Croatia? They're leaping up and down on the benches of the Spanish and German leagues. Modric, Manduzick, Olic, Olicevic and Rakitic? And so on.

Cameroon? Start with Eto’o, whose escort is made up of speedy, strong players, add Webo and a young talent who may be a surprise at the World Cup, if he fully recovers: Aboubakar.

But that's not the problem. Mexico doesn't inhabit those European galaxies. And the players it exports experience dreadful situations: either they're on the bench, or they're out of form, or the most notable among all of them has doggedly said 'no' to the national team, knowing that he’s the best and most complete Mexican striker today: Carlos Vela.

The problem isn’t necessarily the lack of magicians with a ball, but that Mexicans’ only sound foundation, and therefore, that of the national team, is a group game.

Together, committed, motivated, committed, even indignant, they are capable of producing miracles, or at the very least, unexpected results.

True: 2013 was a perfect showcase for Mexico's shortcomings as a team.

Conflicts, desertions, disagreements with the coach, and even desperate and hysterical replacements of coaches, and this is all a reflection of the complete absence of an authority figure in Mexican soccer.

That is: there are tyrants, dictators, chiefs and bullies, but there are no natural leaders in desperate times.

Together, over time, with hard work, with advantages, with noble weapons, Herrera and Pelaez can commit themselves to the job of sharing leadership. However, I insist that they need time, time that was stolen from them by Chepo de la Torre's alienating and alienated actions.

On this bitter list of facts, before someone chooses the dysfunctional suicide of resignation, it's worth underscoring that the process can still be saved, perhaps at a very high cost: for example, just as an example, by sacrificing the national championship, and transferring domestic players to the national squad every week, and for friendly games.

Ricardo Pelaez himself put his finger on it: “The Mexican national team is more important than Club America (current champion and overall leader, battling in the semis of the Liguilla playoffs) and that's how all of us must see it."

The problem is, compared with the emergencies faced by the national team, the Mexican league championship's reputation is overvalued.

True: it appears to be a desperate bet. It is. That's undeniable. It was in the playoff against New Zealand. But the results, the reward of running risks such as sacrificing the season, are significant: to go from a decent first round, to turn in a surprise performance in Group A, to then get into the knockout stage of the World Cup.

http://espnfc.com/blog/_/name/futbolmexico/id/2699?&cc=3436

or australia :lol:

Indeed - For many of the groups the bigger, more intriguing, question may be who is the second placed qualifier, indeed!



Must always hope :p More 'realistic' though :p,

Round of 16 possible scenario:

Group A > < Group B
>1. Brazil > < 2. Australia
>2. Croatia > <1. Spain

Brazil grudge match against the WC favourites. :o :shock: :p

Though just progressing from our group = equivalent to winning the WC itself, almost. Indeed our Group B IS the World Cup, ofcourse and every game the Final!

Edited by gloryperth: 9/12/2013 08:24:54 PM

Croatia face early World Cup exit without Mandzukic and Simunic

Pair facing potential bans that would rule them out of group games

Niko Kovac faces an agonising wait to see if two of Croatia’s key players will be banned for part of next summer’s World Cup in Brazil, in a decision that could dent their prospects of reaching the second round.

Croatia can currently be backed at 5/4 to qualify from a group containing Cameroon, Mexico and hosts Brazil, but any hopes of reaching the knockout stages could be severely dented if FIFA choose to suspend either Mario Mandzukic or Josip Simunic.

The Bayern Munich striker is already guaranteed to miss one of the group fixtures after a studs-high challenge on the left knee of Iceland’s Johann Gudmundsson, which saw the forward receive a straight red card in the second leg of their qualification playoff.

Under the current FIFA regulations, Mandzukic could face a ban of up to three games; effectively ruling out one of Croatia’s best attacking stars for the entirety of the group stage.

This is because disciplinary rules dictate a ban of one match for “serious foul play” while anything that comes under the term “assaulting” a fellow player – e.g. punching, kicking and elbowing – results in a ban of at least two matches.

Despite this Kovac has already stated his intention to pick Mandzukic for the squad, with the stand-in coach predicting that the striker will miss at least two games, but nevertheless gambling on the team remaining in contention by the time of their third fixture.

With Croatia facing Brazil in their opening game, a win in their second match against a tricky Cameroon side will most likely be crucial, with Mandzukic returning for the potentially crunch decider between themselves and Mexico. It all makes the Balkan nation potentially one to back at 4/7 to exit the competition at the group stage.

The headaches don’t end there for Kovac either with defender Simunic facing a similarly lengthy ban for his part in leading a chant in Zagreb that used a fascist slogan after their victory over Iceland.

He has already been fined $4,300 by Croatian public prosecutors, who criticised the player for “spreading racial hatred”, but FIFA could take more severe action against the defender.

It would be a massive blow to the national side who remain reliant on the 35-year-old veteran who famously received three yellow cards against Australia at the 2006 finals.

The bans could play perfectly into the hands of Brazil though, with the Selecao, who are 1/50 to qualify from Group A, facing the European nation in the tournament curtain-raiser.

http://news.ladbrokes.com/en-gb/football/world-cup/croatia-face-early-world-cup-exit-without-mandzukic-and-simunic_180647.html

Cameroon Midfielder Mbia Calls For 'Proper' Preparations Before 2014 World Cup


Posted On Monday, 30th December 2013

Midfielder Stephane Mbia has urged Cameroonian football officials to to put in place measures for adequate preparations for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

The Indomitable Lions have been drawn in Group A with hosts Brazil, Mexico and Croatia.

And the Sevilla player is eager for Cameroon to give themselves the best chance of replicating their 1990 success when they reached the quarter-finals in Italy.

“We are in a difficult group. We need to prepare well and the authorities have to help us to better prepare for the World Cup,” said the 27-year-old.

“I hope the authorities are listening, we need proper preparation, it would not be good to make the same mistakes of the past like in 2010 where we quarrelled, complicated things and came out with no points.”

Following internal conflicts and a lack of preparation, Cameroon crashed out of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa at the group stage after losing all their matches – 1-0 to Japan, 2-1 to Denmark and 2-1 to Netherlands.

Mbia says the the players do not want a repeat of that ugly scenario.

“Everybody is ready to listen to each other and try to sacrifice, ready to give the best for country, themselves and their team-mates,” he insisted.

On a personal note, Mbia is pleased with his progress in La Liga since arriving on loan from English Premier League club Queens Park Rangers in August.

With the hope that his performances will ensure he adds to his 41 international caps in the summer by being selected in the Indomitable Lions team in Brazil.

“I have adapted to the Spanish style of football with the help of my coach who speaks English. It is good for me to play because Cameroon have a great opportunity this summer with the World Cup,” he said.

http://www.afrikansoccer.com/2013/12/cameroon-midfielder-mbia-calls-for-proper-preparations-before-2014-world-cup/?

28 DEC 2013 - 2:59PM
Cameroon seeks to convince dual nationals to play

YAOUNDE (Reuters) - The Cameroon football federation is to send a delegation to Europe in a bid to convince players of Cameroonian origin to make themselves available for selection at next year's World Cup in Brazil.
Source Reuters UPDATED 3:02 PM - 28 DEC 2013

FECAFOOT said they were focusing on four players in particular who had been capped by France at junior level.

The quartet comprises three 20-year-olds - Axel Ngando at Ligue 2 club AJ Auxerre, Samuel Umtiti at Olympique Lyon and Jean-Christophe Behebeck at Valenciennes - and the 21-year-old Paul-Georges Ntep de Madiba, also at Auxerre.

"We want to convince them to play for Cameroon, notably in the World Cup but also in the future," the federation said in a statement on Friday.

"The idea is to clarify their status and then seek FIFA permission to change their nationality."

Cameroon will be competing at their seventh World Cup and have been drawn in Group A alongside hosts Brazil, Croatia and Mexico.

(Reporting by Tansa Musa; Editing by Mark Gleeson and John O'Brien)

http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2013/12/28/cameroon-seeks-convince-dual-nationals-play?

Scolari admits South Africa is ideal preparation for Cameroon

By Stuart MacLennan 2014-02-28 12:34:00

Luiz Felipe Scolari, the Brazil coach, has told reporters that next week's friendly international against South Africa is directly preparation for his team's World Cup showdown with Cameroon this summer.

Brazil will face The Indomitable Lions as one of Their Group A matches and Scolari admits that playing the Bafana Bafana next Wednesday is an ideal warm-up: "It's an opportunity to meet the group, the last before the final selection of the World Cup group . "

"It will be an important test, with an African team, which recently beat Spain, and a good time to talk to the players and coaching staff on schedule for the competition."

Brazil's World Cup game against Cameroon will be their third of the tournament and will take Place in Brasilia on June 23.

http://www.sambafoot.com/en/news/57623__.html?

Cameroon hopes to rise up again in WC
Thursday, February 27, 2014 - 6:49 PM
Source: AAP

As the World Cup approaches in Brazil this summer, Cameroon is hoping for a respectable performance even if it is unlikely to recover its former glory.

The national team, known as the Indomitable Lions, is no longer the same as in the 1990 World Cup, when it shocked defending champions Argentina 1-0 in the opening match and came close to defeating England in the quarter-final.

It was the first time that an African team reached the quarter-finals in the World Cup, and all of Africa celebrated Cameroon's success as its own.

Including the forthcoming trip to Brazil, the central African country has now reached seven World Cup finals - the highest number for an African country - and it has won the Africa Cup of Nations on four occasions.

The 2014 World Cup will present a huge challenge, as Cameroon is paired in Group A with the fearsome Brazil, unpredictable Mexico and gritty Croatia.

But German coach Volker Finke, who has trained the side since mid-2013, believes he has had enough time to shake up the rusty team and build team spirit.

Finke has built the team around prolific striker Samuel Eto'o, who has won three Champions League titles in a stunning career and currently plays for Chelsea.

The Cameroon team has meanwhile suffered from a difficult relationship with the Federation of Cameroon Football (FECAFOOT).

Eto'o and other players even went on strike while in Morocco for a tournament in November 2011 over unpaid bonuses and appearance fees.

Players have also criticized the federation's management style and the sacking of coach Javier Clemente.

The strike in Morocco earned Eto'o a 15-match ban, though President Paul Biya persuaded FECAFOOT to guarantee that the ban would not exceed eight months.

Now that Cameroon is approaching the 2014 World Cup, team spirit needs to be worked to a peak before the last group match against Brazil, a repeat of their 1994 group encounter, which the Brazilians won comfortably 3-0.

The results of Cameroon's first two matches against Mexico and Croatia could be crucial to its progress, as a defeat against Brazil is widely regarded as a foregone conclusion.

©2014 AAP
http://www.sportsfan.com.au/cameroon-hopes-to-rise-up-again-in-wc/tabid/91/newsid/124307/default.aspx?

Ronaldinho lacking "dedication" for World Cup recall

Mar 23,2014


RIO DE JANEIRO, March 22 (Xinhua) -- Brazil assistant coach Carlos Alberto Parreira claims Ronaldinho has lacked the "dedication" needed for an international recall ahead of this year's World Cup.

Ronaldinho, 34, has not played for the Selecao since April last year and is struggling to recapture his best form for Atletico Mineiro this year.

"It isn't that he has lost his focus, he just hasn't been able to continue his career in the way that is needed to play with the Selecao, with complete and total dedication," Parreira told Brazilian newspaper Zero Hora.

Parreira, who coached Brazil to victory at the 1994 World Cup in the USA, said the door was not shut on Ronaldinho's World Cup hopes.

The 71-year-old suggested the two-time FIFA world player of the year's chances of being selected for the June 12-July 13 tournament depend as much on attitude as form.

"I think that for a national team that is preparing for a World Cup you need a little more desire and disposition. I don't think he has lost that, but when he had the opportunity [last year] we didn't see it. It hasn't been clear that the fire is still there. He has had opportunities, now it's up to us to decide whether or not to take him."


Meanwhile Parreira denied concern at the lack of starting opportunities for Selecao regulars Neymar and David Luiz at their respective clubs Barcelona and Chelsea in recent weeks.


"They are being saved for us," Parreira said. "It's very tiring to have to play until the Champions League final. If a Champions League team that has Brazilian players gets knocked out of the tournament, I'm not going to be too upset."

http://www.shanghaidaily.com/article/article_xinhua.aspx?id=208283

Brazil to go through in #1 with Mexico to sneak through in a pretty closely contested group.

Fifa World Cup 2014: Inconsistent Croatia aim to revive spirit of 1998

Team under-achieved since finishing third in France, but have players to impress

ReutersPublished: 13:34 May 11, 2014Gulf News

Zagreb: Based on the pedigree of their squad, Croatia have high hopes of reaching the knockout stage of the 2014 World Cup, but other factors may come into play against hosts Brazil, Cameroon and Mexico.

The Croatians, who have not reached the last 16 since their impressive third-place finish in the 1998 tournament, face a daunting opener against favourites Brazil in Sao Paulo on June 12 and defeat would put pressure on them to win the remaining two group fixtures against dangerous opponents.

Their preparations will also be challenging, with long-haul flights across Brazil to face Cameroon in the Amazonian city of Manaus on June 18 before taking on the Mexicans in Recife five days later.

Croatia, who have qualified for eight out of 10 major tournaments as an independent nation, will also be under considerable pressure from their fans and media to snap an under-achieving streak, if not to emulate past glory.

Having missed Euro 2000, the Croatians were knocked out in the group stage of the 2002 World Cup, when they beat more fancied Italy but lost to Ecuador and Mexico.

Croatia suffered the same fate in Euro 2004 and the 2006 World Cup before they lost a dramatic Euro 2008 quarter-final to Turkey. They then failed to qualify for the 2010 World Cup and could not get past the group stage in Euro 2012.

Much will depend on how quickly their coach Niko Kovac, who took over from Igor Stimac shortly before Croatia’s 2-0 aggregate play-off win over Iceland, adapts to the challenges of managing a talented squad during a tournament.

The former defensive midfielder restored order in the dressing room after the Croatians almost fell apart under Stimac, who lost four of his last six games in charge and, more importantly, his authority in the dressing room.

Playmaker Luka Modric will have to fire on all cylinders for Croatia to navigate the group and Kovac also has few world class options in defence, missing banned stalwart Josip Simunic.

There is plenty of depth up front, however, in the proven scorers of Mario Mandzukic, Ivica Olic, Eduardo da Silva and Nikica Jelavic, supported by the tried and trusted attacking midfielder Ivan Rakitic.

http://gulfnews.com/in-focus/brazil-2014/fifa-world-cup-2014-inconsistent-croatia-aim-to-revive-spirit-of-1998-1.1330914

Mexico reveal 23-man World Cup squad


by Ravindra Patel Contributor
Publishedan hour ago

Mexico coach Miguel Herrera has announced his 23-man squad for the World Cup in Brazil, The Guardian reports.


The squad includes a surprise call up for veteran defender Carlos Salcido, who will be going to his third World Cup after previously taking part in 2006 and 2010.

Another surprise is the omission of Villarreal midfielder Javier Aquino. However, club teammate Giovani dos Santos and Manchester United striker Javier Hernandez have been included in the squad.

Mexico almost missed out on making it to the World Cup. They needed to win a two-game playoff with New Zealand to qualify which they did thanks the goalscoring prowess of striker Oribe Peralta.

Mexico are in Group A with Brazil, Croatia and Cameroon with their first opponents being Cameroon in Natal on June 13.

Mexico squad for the World Cup in full:

Jesus Corona, Guillermo Ochoa, Alfredo Talavera, Paul Aguilar, Andres Guardado, Miguel Layun, Rafael Marquez, Hector Moreno, Diego Reyes, Francisco Javier Rodriguez, Carlos Salcido, Isaac Brizuela, Marco Fabian, Hector Herrera, Juan Carlos Medina, Luis Montes, Carlos Pena, Jose Juan Vazquez, Giovani Dos Santos, Javier Hernandez, Raul Jimenez, Oribe Peralta, Alan Pulido.

http://www.givemesport.com/464626-mexico-reveal-23man-world-cup-squad?autoplay=on

FIFA World Cup 2014: Team by team guide - Croatia

May 13, 2014 12:17
By Matthew Southcombe

Who are Croatia playing first? What are their chances? Who's their star player? Here's everything you need to know about Croatia in the FIFA World Cup

Croatia Football Team

FIFA World Cup History

For the 60 years preceding and including the 1990 FIFA World Cup, Croatia competed as part of Yugoslavia.

They were unable to compete in the 1994 tournament because they were not officially recognised by FIFA until after the qualifying campaign had started.

Their first tournament was France 98' where they finished a very respectable third, beating the Netherlands in the third place match 2-1 thanks to goals from Robert Prosinecki and Davor Suker.

In 2002 and 2006 the Croats failed to get out of their group, and in 2010 they didn't qualify for the finals.

Manager: Niko Kovac

The 42-year-old has been in the Croatia hot seat since October 2013, meaning that he's only been in charge for two games. Kovac won 83 caps for Croatia as a player and was a long standing captain before retiring in 2009.

His managerial CV is pretty bare, he was academy manager for two years at Red Bull Salzburg before becoming assistant at the same club in 2011. He was Croatia U21 coach for five games in 2013 before taking charge of the senior squad.

Captain: Darijo Srna

The Croatian skipper is a stalwart in the Shakhtar Donetsk team, playing over 250 times for the club in an 11-year stint with the Ukraine outfit. The right sided player has scored 21 times for his country in 111 games, including in the 2014 FIFA World Cup Qualification Play-off game against Iceland in November.


Croatia captain Darijo Srna Croatia captain Darijo Srna

Player Watch: Luka Modric

In August 2012, Real Madrid announced they had agreed a £33 million fee with Tottenham for the centre midfielder. After a brilliant season with Spurs, Modric struggled to find his feet in his first few months with Los Blancos.

However, this season, with new boss Carlo Ancelotti at the helm, Modric has been one of the first names on the team sheets and has repaid his coaches faith with good performances.

Modric will be key if the Croats are going to tick in Brazil. His playmaking ability has come on in the last 12 months and the likes of Mandzukic will be hoping that the 28-year-old can put some on a plate for him this summer.

Qualifying Campaign

Three loses including two against Scotland and one against Belgium meant that Croatia ended runner up in UEFA Group A behind Belgium.

This meant they advanced to the second round play-offs where the beat Iceland 2-0 over two legs. Goals from Mario Mandzukic and Darijo Srna sealed it in Zagreb.

Squad List

Croatia are yet to name their squad. All teams must be submitted to FIFA by May 13th and will be published on May 16th.

Croatia in the media

Croatia defender Josip Simunic will definitely miss the World Cup finals after losing his appeal against a 10-match ban imposed by FIFA after he made a fascist salute in November. MailOnline

Former Croatia captain Niko Kovac came to his country's rescue last October, his lack of managerial experience offset by skills on the pitch to see Croatia through to the World Cup finals. SuperSport


http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/fifa-world-cup-2014-team-7112647

Croatia has named their 30 man squad.

Pletikosa,
Subašić
Zelenika

Bubjić,
Ćorluka,
LOvren,
Pranjić,
Schildenfeld,
Srna,
Strinić,
Vida,
Vrsaljko

Brozović,
Badelj,
Kovačić,
Kranjčar,
Močinić,
Modrić,
Pašalić,
Rakitić,
Sammir,
Vukojević

Čop,
Eduardo,
Iličević,
Jelavić,
Mandžukić,
Olić,
Perišić,
Rebić

Wow Pletikosa still going around. Class keeper. Lots of names from the Bundesliga there. Definitely not a team to take lightly. Will probably have to face Spain in the next round.

If you're looking for a team that will be fun to watch I would pick Croatia. If, and it is a huge if, they can get their attack clicking I would really not be looking forward to facing them in the group stage.

Will probably be lining up like this


Close to if not the most attacking team in the tournament :lol:

If Rakitic and Modric can carry their club form into the WC I'll be quite confident against any opponent. I dont think he'll play Raketa next to Modric though, he has done all his damage in a much more advanced role for Sevilla so you'd be crazy to play him in a deeper role. Kovacic is arguably more comfortable playing deeper so swapping them two is probably the better way to go if we end up squeezing all 3 of them in. Having said that, I dont think Kovac will have the balls to play all 3 of them together, especially not against Brazil. I think Kova will start on the bench with Vukojevic providing the defense with a bit more protection to give Srna and Pranjic a bit more freedom down the flanks.

I'd love to see him go all out and play something similar to what you've suggested though. I think he will against Cameroon and Mexico but might be a bit more conservative in the opener

Yeah against Brazil he'll probably go with Ognjen next to Modric, but will almost certainly go with Kova, Ivan and Luka together against Cameroon and Mexico where the plan will be 3 pts.

Group A Winner

Brazil 1.22
Mexico 9.00
Croatia 9.00
Cameroon 21.00

http://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/soccer/international-soccer/world-cup-2014/outrights

Edited by Joffa: 17/5/2014 09:39:58 PM

No sex for Mexican players

Thursday, May 22, 2014

Mexico's national football team coach Miguel Herrera speaks during a press conference after a training session at the High Performace Centre (CAR) in Mexico City yesterday. Mexico will face Israel on a friendly match next May 28.

MEXICO CITY, Mexico (AFP) — Mexico manager Miguel Herrera wants his players to avoid sex during the World Cup in Brazil, joking it will be okay to look at but not touch bikini-clad women.

The fiery coach said he would not ban his 23 men from any hanky-panky but that he would prefer they practise abstinence during the month-long tournament that kicks off on June 12.

“I am not thinking about prohibiting sex nor that they would have it,” Herrera told a news conference yesterday.

“I am thinking about football and I hope that the boys are thinking about football because nobody has died from practising abstinence for 40 days,” he said.

“Some people are virgins until marriage and they are 20 or 25 years old. So, please, nobody will die for 40 days.”

Asked whether the rule applies to the coaching staff, Herrera said he would be too busy drawing tactics against Group A rivals Brazil, Croatia and Cameroon to think about anything else.

“If you cross a bikini and you see it and that’s all, it’s no big deal. We will be in front of the beach, it’s impossible not to cross a bikini in Brazil, but looking doesn’t hurt,” he quipped.

While Mexico will not be based in Brazil’s version of sin city, Rio de Janeiro, the team’s base camp will be in the coastal city of Santos, which has its own beach.

Other World Cup managers have addressed the sex issue. Brazil’s Luiz Felipe Scolari said in April that he told his players that they can have “normal sex” before games but they should avoid any under-the-sheets acrobatics.

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/sport/No-sex-for-Mexican-players

Niko Kranjcar ruled out of the tournament for Croatia.