The World Cup - A Guide To Group G

Germany - Portugal - Ghana - USA

Germany

The Manager: Joachim Löw

• Star Player: Philipp Lahm
• Position: Full Back/Defensive Midfielder
• Age: 30
• Team: Bayern Munich
• Why? He is the epitome of constancy. Germany's captain and inspirational leader, who lets his solid footballing style do the talking. The 'Magic Dwarf', will be able to switch to midfield with ease after being tested in this position under Guardiola at club level. If Germany are to win another World Cup, they will need Lahm's intelligence and composure to lead them to victory.

• One to Watch: Mario Götze
  
• Position: Attacking Midfielder
• Age: 22
• Team: Bayern Munich
• Why? He is a precocious talent with exceptional ability. Might not start every game for Germany, however the manner in which he plays suits the national side's tactical ethos. Quick, skilful and equally comfortable passing with both feet, Mario definitely has the spark to create goal scoring chances to this ultra solid German team. This could be his stage to prove that he is truly 'World Class'.

• Wildcard: Miroslav Klose
  
• Position: Striker
• Age: 36
• Team: Lazio
• Why? Germany are in theory only taking one recognised Centre Forward. Saying that, Klose has 132 caps and 69 goals with Germany never having lost a match where he has scored. Miroslav only needs 1 goal to equal Ronaldo's overall World Cup goalscoring record, so a cheeky double early on in this tournament could be a huge confidence boost. It seems like in the last four World Cup's, Klose hasn't really been a contender for the golden boot. But his deceptively clever movement, poaching and clinical heading speak volumes to how good he is on the biggest stage.

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

Defenders: Jerome Boateng (Bayern Munich), Erik Durm (Borussia Dortmund), Kevin Grosskreutz (Borussia Dortmund), Benedikt Howedes (Schalke), Mats Hummels (Borussia Dortmund), Philipp Lahm (Bayern Munich), Per Mertesacker (Arsenal), Shkodran Mustafi (Sampdoria).

Midfielders: Julian Draxler (Schalke), Matthias Ginter (Freiburg), Mario Gotze (Bayern Munich), Christoph Kramer (Borussia Monchengladbach), Sami Khedira (Real Madrid), Toni Kroos (Bayern Munich), Thomas Muller (Bayern Munich), Mesut Ozil (Arsenal), Andre Schurrle (Chelsea), Bastian Schweinsteiger (Bayern Munich).

Forwards: Miroslav Klose (Lazio), Lukas Podolski (Arsenal).

Fun Fact: Manuel Neuer did the voice over for character Frank McCay in the German version of Disney Pixar's Monsters University.

Portugal

The Manager: Paulo Bento

• Star Player: Cristiano Ronaldo
• Position: Forward
• Age: 29
• Team: Real Madrid
• Why? On form, he's the best player in the world. In full flight, Ronaldo's skill and power with the ball is almost unstoppable. If his Portuguese colleagues can perform to their full potential, Ronny could lead his nation pretty far in this tournament. He will play in the central position in behind Hugo Almeida, linking the play in attack. Don't be surprised to see many a long range attempt and a gung-ho mentality when in a bit of space.  Ronaldo's ability from direct free-kicks and getting on the end of crosses will be a constant threat for any team in his way.

• One to Watch: William Carvalho
  
• Position: Defensive/ Holding Midfielder
• Age: 22
• Team: Sporting CP
• Why? He is physically very strong and solid defensively, who will give Portugal a combative presence in midfield. Carvalho is still quite inconsistent with his decision making and passing from deep. However, he does bring a stronger defensive structure to a counter attacking Portugal.

• Wildcard: Hugo Almeida
• Position: Centre Forward
• Age: 30
• Team: Besiktas
• Why? The focal point target man for Portugal. Not the most mobile or quickest striker, but he compliments the style of football that Portugal play. With wingers providing service into the box and Ronaldo running in behind, Almeida has good enough positional awareness to grab some extremely important goals.

Goalkeepers: Beto (Sevilla), Eduardo (Braga), Rui Patricio (Sporting).

Defenders: Andre Almeida (Benfica), Bruno Alves (Fenerbahce), Fabio Coentrao (Real Madrid), Joao Pereira (Valencia), Neto (Zenit), Pepe (Real Madrid), Ricardo Costa (Valencia).

Midfielders: Joao Moutinho (Monaco), Miguel Veloso (Dinamo Kiev), Raul Meireles (Fenerbahce), Ruben Amorim (Benfica), William Carvalho (Sporting).

Forwards: Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid), Eder (SC Braga), Helder Postiga (Lazio), Hugo Almeida (Besiktas), Nani (Manchester United), Rafa (Braga), Varela (FC Porto), Vieirinha (Wolfsburg).

Fun Fact(s): Cristiano was given the second name 'Ronaldo' after his Father's favourite actor and ex-president Ronald Regan.

Ronaldo was expelled from school at the age of 14 for throwing a chair at his teacher.

Ghana

The Manager: James Kwesi Appiah

• Star Player: Asamoah Gyan
  
• Position: Striker
• Age: 28
• Team: Al Ain
• Why? Scored Ghana’s first ever goal in a World Cup in 2006, if we are going to see Ghana’s Azonto dance, it will most likely be because of this guy. Although in a weaker league, Gyan has scored more goals than games played with Al Ain and will be looking to bring that confidence to Ghana’s attack. Named captain, Gyan loves to be the main man and expect to see him take set pieces and penalties (hoping to seek redemption of missing two at World Cup 2010).

• One to Watch: Majeed Waris
  
• Position: Striker
• Age: 22
• Team: Spartak Moscow
• Why? Waris spent the season on loan with Valenciennes in Ligue 1 scoring 9 goals in 16 appearances. He has devastating pace and will look to abuse that by positioning himself on the shoulders of slow centre backs. Often caught offside but when he does beat the trap, there's no catching him. May just make a big name for himself in Brazil.

• Wildcard: Michael Essien
  
• Position: Central Midfielder
• Age: 31
• Team: AC Milan
• Why? Missing the last World Cup through injury, Essien was one of the best midfielders in the world back in 2010. This year though, he goes to Brazil looking a shadow of his former self. Struggling for game time for the past two seasons, it’s unsure how important Essien will be to his national side. Still though, his experience and unquestionable talent is something Appiah will love to have at his disposal.

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

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

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

Forwards: Asamoah Gyan (Al Ain), Kevin-Prince Boateng (Schalke 04), Abdul Majeed Waris (Valenciennes), Jordan Ayew (Sochaux).

Fun Fact: Asamoah Gyan's musical alias is 'Baby Jet'. He released the song 'Afican Girls' in 2011 and it won an award at the Ghana Music Awards.

USA

The Manager: Jurgen Klinsmann

• Star Player: Michael Bradley
  
• Position: Centre Midfielder
• Age: 26
• Team: Toronto FC
• Why? With Landan Donovan out of the picture and Klinsmann looking to build towards 2018, Bradley will have a huge role to play from now until then which starts in Brazil. With a weak defence, Bradley will be immensely important and needs to make sure he doesn't get caught out offensively. Saying that, his experience with Roma in Serie A will be paramount if USA are to get the better tactically over the likes of Germany or Portugal.

• One to Watch: Fabian Johnson
  
• Position: Everywhere.
• Age: 26
• Team: Borussia Mönchengladbach
• Why?  Incredibly versatile, he has impressed in multiple positions for club and country. It looks likely that we’ll be seeing his pace used at right back in Brazil, bombing on the overlap where he can come up with a goal or an assist. It wont be easy though, expect to see him a lot deeper than where he prefers to play.

• Wildcard: Jozy Altidore
  
• Position: Striker
• Age: 24
• Team: Sunderland
• Why? Struggling for goals since his move to Sunderland, Altidore has acquired a reputation he won't be proud of. If ever though, there was a stage to prove the doubters wrong and find that exceptional form he had at AZ, it would be in Brazil. He hadn't scored for the USA for a long time before this set of pre-tournament friendlies, so It is a big ask against some world class opponents. 

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

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

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

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

Fun Fact: DaMarcus Beasley launched a range of jewellery during his time with Rangers