Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts

Brazil 1 1 0 0 3 1 +2 3
Mexico 1 1 0 0 1 0 +1 3
Cameroon 1 0 0 1 0 1 −1 0
Croatia 1 0 0 1 1 3 −2 0

NATE Silver’s powers of prediction are unparalleled.

As the brain behind statistical analysis blog FiveThirtyEight, Silver has been forecasting results in political elections and sporting contests for years. During the last US presidential election, he correctly predicted the winner in all 50 states.

Now, Silver has turned his attention to the World Cup.

He has developed a predictive model called the Soccer Power Index (SPI), which harnesses reams of data to rate every team’s chances on a match-by-match basis.

“Technically speaking, SPI is two ratings systems rolled into one,” Silver says. “One based solely on a national team’s play, and one that reflects a composite of player ratings for what SPI projects to be a team’s top line-up.”

If you want to know how the index works in excruciating detail, you can read more about it here. Otherwise, you can see its predictions for every World Cup group below.


GROUP A: Brazil, Cameroon, Croatia, Mexico

The SPI gives Brazil a 99.4 per cent chance of progressing, and a 94.8 per cent chance of topping the group.

“Brazil would really have to blow it to not pass through the group stage with relative ease,” Silver says.

Mexico (39.7 per cent) is a slight favourite over Croatia (36.6 per cent) to join the host nation in the knockout phase.

SO, WHO WILL WIN THE WORLD CUP?

“Argentina, Germany and Spain, like Brazil, are wonderful soccer teams. You could perhaps debate which of the four would be favoured if the World Cup were played on a hastily constructed soccer pitch somewhere in the middle of the desert,” Silver writes.

“But this World Cup is being played in Brazil. No country has beaten Brazil on its home turf in almost 12 years.”

That loss, in a friendly against Paraguay back in 2002, barely counts. Brazil didn’t take the game seriously, and substituted most of its star players well before full-time. According to Silver, Brazil’s last home defeat in a match that actually mattered was in 1975.

With home ground advantage factored in, alongside all the other data, Silver’s Soccer Power Index gives Brazil a 45.2 per cent chance of winning the World Cup, ahead of Argentina (12.8 per cent), Germany (10.9 per cent), Spain (7.6 per cent) and Chile (4.2 per cent).

http://www.news.com.au/sport/football/fifa-world-cup-2014-superstar-statistician-nate-silver-has-bad-news-for-australia/story-fnkjl6g2-1226950736040

Edited by Joffa: 11/6/2014 09:57:49 PM

World Cup 2014 Preview: Brazil hope to coast through Group A yet weighed down by expectations of a nation

June 9, 2014 by jamessavundra


By Andrew Papadopoulos.

In this section we run the rule over all 32 nations competing at this summer’s FIFA World Cup in Brazil. With just days to go, we focus on the hosts and five-times winners – Brazil.

Group A – Brazil

FIFA World Ranking - 3

Manager- Luis Felipe Scolari

Past Performances - Brazil

What are their chances?

Brazil have not played a fully competitive game of football since a 2-0 defeat on penalties (yes, they missed all their penalties) against Paraguay way back in the 2011 Copa America. In the intervening period the team has played 44 friendlies (including the Confederations Cup) with an aggregate scoreline of 108-32.

They snagged the Confederations Cup in fine style, with a 3-0 spanking of world champions Spain in the final. That result, and the fact that Brazil have won 14 out of their last 15 games, has given the nation enormous confidence and reason, if any were needed, to expect great things from the their side this summer.

As Luis Felipe Scolari said in 2002 during his previous stint in charge- “Brazil has 150 million managers.” The varied and forceful opinions of Brazilian pundits and fans, and the expectation of victory hang over this 2014 side just they have for most others; it is nothing new. It helps somewhat that Felipão, as the manager is known in his home country, has already guided the national team to glory in 2002. His side wasn’t the most loved in terms of the desire for beautiful football, but they won the ultimate prize, and that is what has stuck.

With the trust of the public (in general) and his players, Scolari has been able to put his stamp on the side. He has been preparing the selecão meticulously for this very tournament since 2012. When it came time to announce the squad, he went straight down to his final 23, skipping the 30-man stage entirely.

Group A - BrazilTactically, there will definitely be a centre-forward-type of player, hence the inclusions of Jo and Fred, who probably aren’t the most spectacular talents Brazil possesses, but are able to play the role the manager wants. The 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3 will also be a standard. Each player in every position has their own direct replacement. Excellent talents like Lucas Moura, Philippe Coutinho and Kaka have missed out because they simply do not fit as first or second choice in any of Scolari’s available slots. This is a team in which nothing has been left to chance, thoroughly moulded to its manager’s exact specifications.

Finally, it almost goes without saying that Brazil have a huge amount of talent to call on all through the squad. Shakhtar Donetsk winger Bernard was described by Big Phil as having “joy in his legs”. Another favourite is Oscar, whose positional flexibility made him a lock for Scolari’s final 23. Willian has shown flashes of scintillating form in his first season for Chelsea, and Hernanes is so good that Lazio president Claudio Lotito received death threats over his decision to sell him to Inter last summer. The list goes on. It would be a huge surprise to not see Brazil at least make the semi-finals. Certainly anything less than that would be regarded as a catastrophe in the country itself.

Three Key Players…

Neymar (FC Barcelona)

If there were to be a top three of key players for this entire tournament, Neymar would likely be in that, too.

neymarBrazil’s wonderkid-turned-superstar and World Cup poster boy has bedded himself in well at Barcelona, one of the most challenging clubs in world football. His 15 goals and 11 assists in just under 40 games hardly tell the whole story – he is the kind of player whose feints and split-second moments of skill are as much a part of their image and value as his statistical contribution is. But he has had a more than solid season in that regard, too, coming second in successful dribbles, key passes and man of the match awards only to Mr. Obvious – Lionel Messi.

The 22-year-old’s scoring record for Brazil is frankly excellent – 31 in 48 games. He is the main creative source for the side, even ahead of Hulk, who normally plays opposite him. He’s also a highly accomplished free-kick taker. One other thing Neymar does well is close down and break up opposing attacks (sometimes by fouling). At the Confederations Cup he was both the most fouled player and the one who gave away the most free-kicks. Scolari’s spoiling tactics require involvement from even the forward line. One hopes he’s got his subtle fouls down to an art – the last thing Brazil want is for their star man to see red in their own back yard.

Thiago Silva (PSG)

Silva is without doubt one of the most respected defenders in the world, and one of the few globally renowned centre-backs in the game. He is also a member of the Joey Barton Club (i.e. Joey Barton has abused him on Twitter). The PSG and Brazil captain is moving in to his prime at the age of 29, and leads out a team that takes its defensive duties very seriously indeed.

thiago_silvaIt was a surprise to many to see talented PSG youngster Marquinhos not make the final squad. But that is how Scolari is playing it; he is taking no risks in defence, calling up instead Henrique of Napoli and Dante of Bayern Munich – experienced players rather than young blood. Silva is without question the lynchpin of a Brazil defence which has conceded less than a goal a game since the former Chelsea manager took over.

For PSG, too, he truly led the way in title winning year. He won more aerial duels per game than any other player (not surprising if you’ve ever laid eyes on him), as well as being second-best in interceptions. Interestingly, he also found himself fourth in the entire league in long-ball proficiency this year, with 7.1 a game, almost on a par with Steven Gerrard. Two of the three men ahead of him in that Ligue 1 category were actually goalkeepers.

More than anything though, Silva is big, fast and has great timing in a tackle, which, believe it or not, goes just as far with Brazilian fans as it does with any others. Failure to land in Fifa’s Team of the Tournament would be a disappointment.

Oscar (Chelsea FC)

Another slightly built Brazilian attacker – but guess who was just behind Neymar in the Confederations Cup fouls list…

oscarOscar is in fact a much more legitimate defensive presence than Neymar will ever be, and is just a great all-round player. Labelling him a ‘defensive presence’ is perhaps misleading. When the selecão came to Wembley last year, the Chelsea youngster looked like the busiest man on the field, making tackles, runs, and giving great passes in the centre and out wide more often than any of his teammates. It is this versatility that has endeared him so much to Luis Felipe Scolari, as he can play not only in the forward line of a 4-3-3, but also midfield in a deeper role.

The one concern with the 22-year-old would be his lack of form in the final stretch of the season with Chelsea. It appeared that after a dazzling debut year, the speed of the Premier League was finally catching up with the young playmaker. He still finished as Chelsea’s third top scorer in the league with eight, and also tacked-on the fact that he made more tackles per game than any Chelsea centre-back, or John Obi Mikel. Given the tightly organised nature of the Brazil squad, it will come as a satisfying relief to find a player who can be trusted in multiple roles. Not to mention the fact that Oscar is still exceptionally young, and is a real talent for the future.

If they were an item of clothing, they’d be…

A deep sea diving helmet - classic and modern all at the same time, they’ve shown they can withstand enormous pressures time and again. Failure to do so this time would see them gulping for air.

Brazil group fixtures – Croatia (12 June), Mexico (17 June), Cameroon (23 June)

Can Brazil replicate last summer’s Confederations Cup triumph? Can “Big Phil” lead Brazil to another World Cup? Will Neymar shine on the big stage?

http://offsiderulepodcast.com/2014/06/09/world-cup-2014-preview-brazil-hope-to-coast-through-group-a-yet-weighed-down-by-expectations-of-a-nation/

Cameroon 'refuse to board flight to Brazil'

The Cameroon squad reportedly refused to board their flight to Brazil for the World Cup in an ongoing dispute over their bonuses for the tournament.
L'Equipe are reporting that the squad played their recent friendly matches in the hope that the issue of their share of FIFA's bonus money would be resolved before the World Cup began.

But the Cameroonian government's most recent offers have still not proved satisfactory, causing greater and greater disquiet. This week the players refused to take the national flag from the prime minister in their traditional pre-tournament ceremony, forcing coach Volker Finke to step in to avoid too much public embarrassment. And now it seems that the squad have opted to stay in their hotel rather than heading to the airport, despite supporters urging them to get on the plane.

The latest offer on the table was put forward on Friday, proposing that players would receive six per cent of the FIFA bonus for the first round, 20 per cent for the second round, 30 per cent for quarter-finals, 40 per cent for the semi-finals, and 50 per cent for either the final or the third-place play-off.

This is not the first time the Cameroon squad have had disagreements with the authorities over bonuses - the same thing happened in 2002 when it took days of negotiation to secure mutually satisfactory participation fees, and in 2011 they refused to play against Algeria.

http://au.eurosport.com/football/world-cup/2014/cameroon-squad-refuse-to-board-flight-to-brazil-in-bonuses-row_sto4278429/story.shtml

Gee it's a hard one to pick, second spot wide open.

World Cup 2014 Preview: Croatia

Luka Modric (Croatia):Croatia qualified for this summer’s World Cup by the skin of their teeth, finishing a distant second in their group to Belgium leaving a play-off against Iceland as the only thing separating Croatia and Brazil.

Coach Niko Kovac took over from Igor Stimac prior to the play-off after just one point from their last four qualifiers to guide the team to Brazil for which their reward is opening the tournament against the hosts.

They have solidity about them and air of calm from little expectation after a tepid qualification campaign, but could work in the rookie coach’s favour with very realistic chances of progression given the Mexicans and Cameroonians are not exactly setting the world alight.

Coach: Niko Kovac

Niko Kovac ended his playing career in 2009 and worked at academy level with Red Bull Salzburg, eventually becoming assistant coach, before the meteoric rise from Croatian under-21 coach to first-team within the space of ten months.

Kovac recently described the mood in the camp as fantastic and that is a million miles away from the attitude and spirit towards the end of qualifying and will be helped by the club form of several of his squad.

Trophy laden Mario Mandzukic of Bayern Munich joins Champions League winner Luka Modric and Europa League sensation Ivan Rakitic. Even without the prolific Mandzukic it would be difficult for replacements Nikica Jelavic, Eduardo or Ivica Olic not to score with Modric and Rakitic supplying the ammunition.

Key Player: Luka Modric

Modric is now a firm favourite at Real Madrid with the Bernabeu faithful singing his name and his stock will have only risen after a superb display in Real’s Champions League win against Atletico Madrid.

Finally shining in a team of world-class superstars he is one of the first names on Carlo Ancelotti’s teamsheet alongside Xabi Alonso where the create a formidable partnership, but without him still excels.

Teaming up with Ivan Rakitic and Inter prospect Mateo Kovacic in the Croatian midfield he heads to the tournament in amazing form and will dictate the rhythm of play for the side, if he continues his club form at international level then progress from Group A will be that little bit easier.

Ivan Rakitic (Croatia)One to watch: Ivan Rakitic

Quietly mentioned as a key component of the Croatia side, but without the profile of Mandzukic or Modric, Rakitic has been instrumental in Sevilla’s resurgence this season and has had many admiring glances from Real Madrid, Barcelona and a host of other European powerhouses.

The silky playmaker is in the form of his life after a season to remember in Spain, captaining Sevilla to Europa League success, and if he and Modric can set the tempo from midfield as Kovac hopes then the 26-year-old may add a few million euros to an already increasing price tag.

How Far Can They Go?

Croatia have the quality to qualify for the second round and getting the Brazil match out the way first is a huge advantage. It would not be a surprise to see them rain on the home team’s parade, but even if they fall to defeat maximum points against Mexico and Cameroon is a realistic goal.

Prediction: Second Round

Even if navigating their way out of Group A progression beyond the next round looks unlikely given that they would face one of Spain, Chile or the Netherlands.

http://forzaitalianfootball.com/2014/06/world-cup-2014-preview-croatia/

Really like to see the Cros win the group.
I reckon Brasil will be ripe for the picking 1st game with the pressure on them more than anybody else, ok I can be optimistic.

Niko Kranjcar ruled out of the tournament for Croatia.

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

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

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.

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

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:

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.

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

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

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: 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

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

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

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?

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?

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?

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/?

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

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

or australia :lol:

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

Brazil to top the group with Croatia second.

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

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.