Ghana’s indispensable number 3 – Asamoah Gyan
Dempsey looking to fly the United States flag in Brazil.
Mezut Ozil is one of a list of Germany’s midfield talents.
Ronaldo – The best player in the world
Group G will be one of the most intriguing, colourful and contrasting groups at the 2014 FIFA World Cup. European powerhouses Germany and Portugal will look to avoid any mishaps against Ghana and USA, who are no pushovers themselves.
Ghana has been a consistent performer on the African continent, while the USA is steadily turning into a football hub for former superstars, Beckham and Henry, to name a few.
This is the group where favourites collide and where hopes and dreams can either be accomplished or shattered.
The teams have had the luck or lack of it in the draw, depending on which side one looks at it. It will be crucial to Ghana and the USA to at least get a draw over the European teams in the competition. Germany and Portugal can ill afford a loss in this group, as momentum and constant good performances will be valuable in the knockout stages of the tournament.
Germany
German precision to take the title?
Germany is a national football team that oozes consistency and temperament. Some real Big Match Temperament. This BMT made them reach the semi-finals in the last four World Cups with a finals appearance in 2002. What also accomplished this success is the blend of youth and experience and the crafting of an established management system.
German football is on a high in 2014. Bayern Munich are the European club champions and dominating the Bundesliga, which has gained a large following over the past 5 years. German football is producing great talent through local systems that focus on attractive results driven football. One of the exponents of German football’s great coaching philosophies and system’s is coach Joachim Löw. He is one of the longest serving international coaches, having started as an assistant coach under Jurgen Klinsmann in 2004.
Löw took over the main duties in 2006 and has since done a brilliant job at the helm, with only a major international trophy trophy missing in his cabinet. Brazil could be his happy hunting ground.
Strategically the Germans’ are hard to beat as they have an excellent midfield that is as capable in attack as defence. Their focus is on attacking football as they break down opposition defences through well timed passes and relentless pressure.
The German assault is laid with midfielder’s Bastian Schweinsteiger and Sami Khedira (when fit) controlling the midfield and to present a chance to their attacking midfielders and strikers. Germany has the best attacking midfield and strike force in the 2014 World Cup tournament, as evidenced by their variety of players who can fill the gap.
The depth that Germany has can be seen with the likes of Podolski, Muller, Kroos, Gotze, Reus and Ozil all vying for spots in midfield. Mezut Ozil has had a rejuvenating season at Arsenal and will be a player to look out for during the World Cup.
Germany are covered in goal and defence with Manuel Neuer consistently being the best shot stopper in football over the last two years. Die deutsche Fußballnationalmannschaf’s captain Phillip Lahm has always been a leader in defence and always joins the attack with blinding and precise runs down the right hand side.
The German’s main attacking weapon up front is the ever dependable Miroslav Klose. Klose has a knack of scoring at the FIFA World Cup and is just two goals shy of breaking Ronaldo’s goalscoring record of 15 goals at the FIFA World Cup.
Germany has the talent on paper. A mix of young and old, capable in defence and attack, with an impetus in front of goal. One of the favorites.
Key Players
Mezut Ozil (Midfielfder)
Age: 25
Matches Played: 53 (17)
Club: Arsenal
Bastian Schweinsteiger (Midfielder)
Age: 29
Matches Played: 101 (23)
Club: Bayern Munich
Mario Gotze (Midfielder)
Age: 21
Matches Played: 27 (7)
Club: Bayern Munich
Portugal
Can Ronaldo and co put on a masterclass in Brazil?
Portugal is one of the most attractive football sides to watch. They have the skills, the talent and the flashy moves, but they lack the fighting spirit when the going gets tough. They are the equivalent of a sports car – flashy, quick and beautiful to look at, but once they are stuck in the mud then they are in deep trouble.
Portugal had a tough qualifying campaign where they had ordinary draws against Northern Ireland and Israel and looked unsettled at times. They easily beat Sweden in the World Cup playoffs to secure their place in Brazil, with star player Cristiano Ronaldo scoring all of Portugal’s four goals in the two legs.
Ronaldo will thus be vital to the nation’s charge for World Cup glory. The FIFA World Player of the Year has the talent, the skills, the hair and a magical right boot that can find the net from any possible angle. The complete player.
The question is whether his teammates can come to the party in Brazil to provide their star player with the chance to excel – it is a team game after all. Portugal can count on Ronaldo’s defensive teammates at Real Madrid to shine throughout the tournament. Pepe at centre back is solid and an aerial threat in front of goal, while Fabio Coentrao is an explosive left back capable of leaving opposition wingers in their tracks.
Midfielders, Nani, Raul Mereiles and Joao Moutinho are Portuguese regulars and have enough experience to display their talents against the best footballers at the big stage. The man who will most likely partner Ronaldo up front will be Hugo Almeida. The big centre forward is a goal scoring machine, with his strength making it hard to dispossess him in the air. This makes him the perfect foil for the speed and finesse of Ronaldo.
Former Portuguese player, turned coach Paulo Bento, has transformed the team into a solid team of late, with wins building confidence within the team. The knockout stages beckons and it’s up to the belief of the team on how far they will progress.
As we all know that there is no I in TEAM.
Cristiano Ronaldo (Striker)
Age: 29
Matches Played (goals scored): 110 (49)
Club: Real Madrid
Fabio Coentrao (Defender)
Age: 26
Matches Played: 43 (3)
Club: Real Madrid
Joao Moutinho (Midfielder)
Age: 27
Matches Played: 66 (2)
Club: Monaco
Ghana
Black Stars hoping to avenge ghosts of 2010
Ghana have been the premier team on the African continent since their World Cup debut in 2006 in Germany. They reached the round of 16 and went one further in the 2010 World Cup. Ghana held Africa’s hopes in their hand in their quarter-final clash with Uruguay, but came up short in the penalty shootout in an emotional and unforgettable encounter. A nation wept at the sight of Asamoah Gyan missing a penalty on the stroke of full time and mourned when they were knocked out.
Since then Ghana has used this experience as motivation and has take these setbacks in their stride. Non more so than Asamoah Gyan who has since become a household name in Ghanaian and International football for his goal scoring abilities. The striker will lead Ghana’s charge in Brazil alongside other talents such as, Sulley Muntari, Kwadwo Asamoah and Andre Ayew providing the necessary spark from midfield.
One major advantage that Ghana has gained is the services of Michael Essien, who has previously pulled out of the Ghana squad, because of injuries sustained at national level. The tough tackling midfielder has earned the nickname “Bison” for his tough tackling and commanding presence in midfield. Essien also likes to shoot cracking goals from long range and is a constant threat inside the box.
A major area of concern for the Ghanians is their apparent lack of experience in defence, as they are known to make errors in pressure situations. Ghana’s attack will have to be the best form of defence during the tournament – they were the highest scoring African team during the qualifying campaign for the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
Ghana will be eying to beat the USA for the third time in a row in as many World Cups. This is a must win game for Ghana, who have much bigger fish to fry in terms of Portugal and Germany. Ghana are in a tough group but might sneak through if they are on the top of their game. For Africa’s sake, let’s hope so.
Asamoah Gyan (Striker)
Age: 28
Matches Played (goals scored): 78 (39)
Club: Al-Ain
Michael Essien (Midfielder)
Age: 31
Matches Played (goals scored): 56 (9)
Club: Milan
Kwadwo Asamoah (Midfielder)
Age: 25
Matches Played (goals scored): 60 (4)
Club: Juventus
USA
Unlucky draw leaves American’s with tough ask
If you asked American whether their team qualified for the 2002 FIFA World Cup, they may have told you that they didn’t know or simply didn’t care as much. Fascinated by Baseball, Basketball and American Football they have let football or soccer, slip of their sporting radar.
That is until know. The emergence of international American superstars such as Clint Dempsey, Landon Donovan and Jozy Altidore has garnered more attention from the American public. The influx of football icons, Thierry Henry and David Beckham has also created an enhanced level of competition and professionalism in the Major Soccer League (MLS). The league has grown since its debut season in 1996. Originally consisting of 10 teams it has grown to 19 teams over a period of 18 years. The United States has grown into a very competitive North American team and has qualified for every World Cup since 1994.
A vital aspect of this United States team is head coach Jurgen Klinsmann, who captained Germany in the 1990’s. Klinsmann has instilled character and confidence into the team amid a slew of personnel changes. It will be interesting to see how he will prepare to battle the country of his birth, when the two teams meet on 26 June in their final group game.
The United States have always had a long line of quality goalkeepers to choose from and 2014 marks no exception, with Everton stopper Tim Howard standing between the goal posts. Previously goalkeeping legends such as Kasey Keller and Brad Friedel have kept American hopes alive with some amazing saves. The United States back up keeper, Brad Guzan, is also no slouch and should provide excellent cover, should Howard get injured or have a nightmare in front of goal.
Can USA reach the knockout rounds in spite of tough competition in a challenging group. On paper it does not seem like a possibility, but we all know football is played on grass.
Landon Donovan (Midfielder)
Age: 32
Matches Played (goals scored): 156 (57)
Club: LA Galaxy
Clint Dempsey (Midfielder)
Age: 31
Matches Played (goals scored): 103 (36)
Club: Seattle Sounders
Tim Howard (Goalkeeper)
Age: 35
Matches Played (goals scored): 97 (0)
Club: Everton
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