There is always a dreaded group of death and this is it. Spain, the reigning World and European Champions. Netherlands who literally kicked seven bells out of the Spaniards in the 2010 final. Chile who have match winners in every position. Lastly, Australia who are the outsiders but eternal optimists.
There is always a dreaded group of death and this is it. Spain, the reigning World and European Champions. Netherlands who literally kicked seven bells out of the Spaniards in the 2010 final. Chile who have match winners in every position. Lastly, Australia who are the outsiders but eternal optimists.Group B - Spain - Netherlands - Chile - Australia
Spain
The Manager: Vicente del Bosque
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| 'Heads I play for Brazil, tails I play for Spain... Tails never fails.' |
- Star Player: Andrés Iniesta
- Position: Inside Forward, Attacking Midfielder
- Age: 29
- Team: FC Barcelona
- Why? Flawless technique, outrageously accurate passing and the ability to glide through challenges. Iniesta is one of the world's best who enjoys the big occasion. Scorer of the winner against the Netherlands at World Cup 2010 and player of the tournament at Euro 2012, he knows what it takes to be the inspiration towards glory.
- One to Watch: Iker Casillas
- Position: GK
- Age: 32
- Team: Real Madrid
- Why? 153 Caps and Golden Glove winner in both the 2010 World Cup and the 2012 European Championships, Iker Casillas’ record is astonishing. He hasn't conceded a goal in a knock-out stage since 2006 in either the World Cup or Euro’s. He might be fighting for his place at club level but at international level he is very much still top-dog.
- Wildcard: Diego Costa
- Position: Striker, Centre Forward
- Age: 25
- Team: Atlético Madrid
- Why? A sensational season with Atlético. La Liga winners and Champions League finalists, Costa's goalscoring has been paramount to their efforts. The Brazilian-born Atlético Madrid star is surely going to take a lot of abuse in Brazil. Choosing to represent Spain instead of playing for his birth nation on home soil in a World Cup angered many Brazilian fans. Don’t expect this controversial player to shy away from boo’s though. They will only drive him on.
Goalkeepers: Iker Casillas (Real Madrid), Pepe Reina (Napoli), David De Gea (Manchester United).
Defenders: Dani Carvajal, Sergio Ramos (both Real Madrid), Gerard Pique, Jordi Alba (both Barcelona), Cesar Azplicueta (Chelsea), Juanfran (Atletico Madrid), Javi Martinez (Bayern Munich), Raul Albiol (Napoli), Alberto Moreno (Sevilla).
Midfielders: Sergio Busquets, Xavi Hernandez, Andres Iniesta, Cesc Fabregas (all Barcelona), Xabi Alonso (Real Madrid), Ander Iturraspe (Athletic Bilbao), David Silva (Manchester City), Santi Cazorla (Arsenal), Koke (Atletico Madrid), Juan Mata (Manchester United), Jesus Navas (Manchester City).
Forwards: Diego Costa, David Villa (both Atletico Madrid), Alvaro Negredo (Manchester City), Pedro Rodriguez (Barcelona), Fernando Llorente (Juventus), Fernando Torres (Chelsea).
Fun Fact: Diego Costa has 2 caps for Brazil and only 1 cap for Spain.
Netherlands
The Manager: Louis van Gaal
The Manager: Louis van Gaal
- Star Player: Arjen Robben
- Position: Inside Forward
- Age: 30
- Team: Bayern Munich
- Why? The star player with van Persie in this Dutch team. Robben has arguable had his best season yet in Munich scoring 20 goals as Bayern set a record, winning the Bundesliga after only 27 games. Netherlands manager van Gaal was responsible for taking Robben to Bayern Munich in 2009 for 25m euros, expect him to be the main man in Brazil. In previous years he was slightly infuriating with a habit of simulation and petulance. Recently however, his undoubted talent and technique is doing the talking on and off the pitch.
- One to Watch: Jasper Cillessen
- Position: Goalkeeper
- Age: 25
- Team: Ajax
- Why? When you can keep out the likes of Vorm, Krul and Stelkenburg, you know they are at the top of your game. Cillessen kept 14 clean sheets in 25 games for Ajax in their title winning season. Dubbed the new Edwin Van Der Sar, Jasper Cillessen has a world wide audience to prove he is worthy of the title.
- Wildcard: Bruno Martins Indi
- Position: Central Defender
- Age: 22
- Team: Feyenoord
- Why? A complete defender. Extremely strong, good with his head and pacey. Netherlands have been crying out for a classy defender for years and Martins Indi certainly has the potential to be that. His versatility could also prove vital as he can be also be deployed as a full-back. May need to have a stormer of a tournament if CB partner Ron Vlaar replicates some of his questionable performances for Aston Villa this season.
Goalkeepers: Jasper Cillessen (Ajax), Tim Krul (Newcastle), Michel Vorm (Swansea), Jeroen Zoet (PSV Eindhoven).
Defenders: Daley Blind, Joel Veltman (both Ajax), Stefan de Vrij, Daryl Janmaat, Terence Kongolo, Bruno Martins Indi, Tonny Vilhena (all Feyenoord), Karim Rekik (PSV Eindhoven, on loan from Manchester City), Patrick van Aanholt (Vitesse Arnhem, on loan from Chelsea), Paul Verhaegh (FC Augsburg), Ron Vlaar (Aston Villa).
Midfielders: Jordy Clasie (Feyenoord), Jonathan de Guzman (Swansea), Nigel de Jong (AC Milan), Leroy Fer (Norwich), Arjen Robben (Bayern Munich), Wesley Sneijder (Galatasaray), Rafael van der Vaart (Hamburg), Georginio Wijnaldum (PSV Eindhoven).
Forwards: Jean-Paul Boetius (Feyenoord), Memphis Depay (PSV Eindhoven), Klaas-Jan Huntelaar (Schalke 04), Dirk Kuyt (Fenerbahce), Jeremain Lens (Dynamo Kiev), Quincy Promes (Twente), Robin van Persie (Manchester United).
Fun Fact: Robin Van Persie's son is called Shaqueel.
Defenders: Daley Blind, Joel Veltman (both Ajax), Stefan de Vrij, Daryl Janmaat, Terence Kongolo, Bruno Martins Indi, Tonny Vilhena (all Feyenoord), Karim Rekik (PSV Eindhoven, on loan from Manchester City), Patrick van Aanholt (Vitesse Arnhem, on loan from Chelsea), Paul Verhaegh (FC Augsburg), Ron Vlaar (Aston Villa).
Midfielders: Jordy Clasie (Feyenoord), Jonathan de Guzman (Swansea), Nigel de Jong (AC Milan), Leroy Fer (Norwich), Arjen Robben (Bayern Munich), Wesley Sneijder (Galatasaray), Rafael van der Vaart (Hamburg), Georginio Wijnaldum (PSV Eindhoven).
Forwards: Jean-Paul Boetius (Feyenoord), Memphis Depay (PSV Eindhoven), Klaas-Jan Huntelaar (Schalke 04), Dirk Kuyt (Fenerbahce), Jeremain Lens (Dynamo Kiev), Quincy Promes (Twente), Robin van Persie (Manchester United).
Fun Fact: Robin Van Persie's son is called Shaqueel.
Chile
The Manager: Jorge Sampaoli
- Star Player: Arturo Vidal
- Position: Central Midfielder
- Age: 26
- Team: Juventus
- Why? Arguebly the most complete central midfielder in the world at this moment. Arturo Vidal is a vital player for this Chilean team, shared topscorer in the qualifications for Chile with Vargas (5 goals). Recently under went surgery, so his fitness could be in a bit of an issue come the start of The World Cup.
- One to Watch: Alexis Sanchez
- Position: Striker, Winger
- Age: 25
- Team: Barcelona
- Why? With Messi and Pedro's sporadic injury hit season, Sanchez has had a much more prominent 2013/14 season. His end product and crossing has been infinitely better along with a good understanding with Neymar. Deceptively good in the air and an explosive turn of pace, he'll no doubt thrive in the perfect conditions of South America.
- Wildcard: Jorge Valdivia
- Age: 30
- Position: Central Attacking Midfielder
- Team: Palmeiras
- Why? Whenever “El Mago” is fit and focused on his game then he is a class act to watch. A typical number 10, skillful, great vision with a fantastic shot. He might be a new name for some but is very well known in Brazil after spent a total of 6 years there. If Valdivia plays well, Chile plays well.
Goalkeepers: Claudio Bravo (Real Sociedad), Johnny Herrera (Universidad de Chile), Cristopher Toselli (Universidad Catolica), Paulo Garces (O'Higgins).
Defenders: Gary Medel (Cardiff City), Gonzalo Jara (Nottingham Forest), Marcos Gonzalez (Union Espanola), Enzo Andia (Universidad Catolica), Jose Rojas (Universidad de Chile), Eugenio Mena (Santos), Mauricio Isla (Juventus).
Midfielders: Jorge Valdivia (Palmeiras), Felipe Gutierrez (Twente), Rodrigo Millar (Atlas), Jose Pedro Fuenzalida (Colo Colo), Pablo Hernandez (O'Higgins), Matias Fernandez (Fiorentina), Francisco Silva (Osasuna), Arturo Vidal (Juventus), Charles Aranguiz (Internacional), Marcelo Diaz (Basel), Carlos Carmona (Atalanta), Miiko Albornoz (Malmo).
Forwards: Alexis Sanchez (Barcelona), Esteban Paredes (Colo Colo), Eduardo Vargas (Valencia), Gustavo Canales (Union Espanola), Jean Beausejour (Wigan Athletic), Mauricio Pinilla (Cagliari), Fabian Orellana (Celta).
Fun Fact: In 1989, Chile were losing to Brazil 1-0 in their qualifying match for World Cup 1990 and on the verge of failing to qualify. A flare was thrown at goalkeeper Roberto Rojas by a female Brazilian fan and he was stretchered off and the game was deemed unsafe to continue with the potential of the match being nullified and Brazil disqualified.
However, T.V cameras spotted that Rojas had hidden a razor blade in his glove and created a cut on his forehead (firework didn't touch him). It transpired that he had been ordered with the whole team's knowledge to take advantage of any 'foul play' by the Brazilians. Subsequently, Chile were banned from the 1990 and 1994 World Cups. Rojas, the Coach and the Team Doctor were banned for life.
The Guile music from Street Fighter makes this video even more laughable. Hadouken!
Australia
The Manager: Ange Postecoglou
- Star Player: Tim Cahill
- Position: Forward
- Age: 34
- Team: New York Red Bulls
- Why? Australia’s all-time leading goalscorer, Cahill will be participating in probably his last world cup in Brazil. The former Everton favourite and corner flag boxer will hoping to get on the end of any set pieces. At 5ft10, Cahill punches way above his weight and can beat any defender in the air if given half a chance.
- One to Watch: Mile Jedinak
- Position: Midfielder
- Age: 29
- Team: Crystal Palace
- Why? Jedinak has been arguably the most underrated player in the Premier League this season. If Australia are to obtain any points in this group, he'll have to use his strength and composure in midfield to hold the Socceroos together. A classy and dominant force in the centre of the park is what is needed in this transitional period for Australia.
- Wildcard: Tom Rogic
- Position: Central Attacking Midfielder
- Age: 21
- Team: Celtic
- Why? An odd choice for viewers of the SPL. Rogic was loaned straight back to Melbourne Victory after a string of difficult showings off the bench for Celtic. He has got a decent touch and can beat a man. A total wildcard and in a group with so many world class opponents, he'll have to do something miraculous to stand out from the crowd.
Goalkeepers: Mark Birighitti (Newcastle Jets), Eugene Galekovic (Adelaide United), Mitchell Langerak (Borussia Dortmund), Mat Ryan (Club Brugge).
Defenders: Jason Davidson (Heracles Almelo), Ivan Franjic (Brisbane Roar), Curtis Good (Dundee United, on loan from Newcastle), Ryan McGowan (Shandong Luneng Taishan), Matthew Spiranovic (Western Sydney Wanderers), Alex Wilkinson (Jeonbuk Hyundai), Luke Wilkshire (Dinamo Moscow), Bailey Wright (Preston North End).
Midfielders: Oliver Bozanic (Luzern), Mark Bresciano (Al Gharafa), Joshua Brillante (Newcastle Jets), James Holland (Austria Vienna), Mile Jedinak (Crystal Palace), Massimo Luongo (Swindon Town), Matthew McKay (Brisbane Roar), Mark Milligan (Melbourne Victory), Tommy Oar (Utrecht), Tommy Rogic (Melbourne Victory), Adam Sarota (Utrecht), James Troisi (Melbourne Victory), Dario Vidosic (Sion).
Forwards: Tim Cahill (New York Red Bulls), Ben Halloran (Fortuna Dusseldorf), Josh Kennedy (Nagoya Grampus 8), Matthew Leckie (FSV Frankfurt 1899), Adam Taggart (Newcastle Jets).
Fun Fact: Tim Cahill's brother was jailed for 6 years for GBH in 2008. He now owns a Frozen Yoghurt shop.
Group C coming soon.
