World Cup Group Preview - Group B

The Team – Spain

The Squad - Goalkeepers: Iker Casillas (Real Madrid), Pepe Reina (Napoli), David De Gea (Manchester United). Defenders: Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid), Gerard Pique (Barcelona), Raul Albiol (Napoli), Cesar Azpilicueta (Chelsea), Juanfran (Atletico Madrid), Jordi Alba (Barcelona). Midfielders: Xavi (Barcelona), Xabi Alonso (Real Madrid), Sergio Busquets (Barcelona), Andres Iniesta (Barcelona), Cesc Fabregas (Barcelona), Santi Cazorla (Arsenal), Koke (Atletico Madrid), Javi Martinez (Bayern Munich). Forwards: David Silva (Manchester City), Diego Costa (Atletico Madrid), Fernando Torres (Chelsea), Pedro (Barcelona), Juan Mata (Manchester United), David Villa (Atletico Madrid).

The Manager – Vicente Del Bosque – His role in Spain’s period of international dominance gets somewhat overlooked, for me it cannot be ignored. The Spanish have had promising squads in previous eras, but they’ve lacked the cohesion and mental strength to go on and win trophies. This lack of cohesion and mental strength was initially amended by Luis Aragones, but Del Bosque has shown his quality as a manager to carry this on, and you will now not find a tighter group of players than the Spanish.

The Preparation – Spain faced Bolivia and El Salvador in their warm games, defeating both by a 2-0 score line. David Villa came off the bench against El Salvador to bag a brace and put pressure on his former Atletico Madrid team mate Diego Costa, as competition for places in the starting eleven heats up.

David Villa at the double

The Definitive Opinion – To rule out the Spanish from making it back to back World Cup victories would be foolish, they have the squad, the experience and what some people are calling into question, the desire. Despite what Jose and Carlo may think, Iker Casillas is still a world class goalkeeper. Often the villain, Sergio Ramos appears to have added maturity to his game and is now the complete centre half, add to this his recurring trait of scoring vital goals and I don’t think there is a better pound for pound centre half out there. I’ve not seen a better selection of midfielders in any squad be that club or international, the problem Del Bosque faces is who to select, as you could argue a case for all of them in different formations and combinations. Two players that I expect to light up the World Cup are the Atleti duo of Koke and Diego Costa, these two have progressed over a number of years at the Vicente Calderon and are now much sought after by Europe’s elite. I’m certain Spain will progress to the latter stages of the competition and it will be at that stage where their experience should make the difference, if I had to stick my neck out and pick a winner it would be La Roja.

The Team – The Netherlands

The Squad - Goalkeepers: Jasper Cillessen (Ajax), Tim Krul (Newcastle), Michel Vorm (Swansea). Defenders: Daley Blind, Joel Veltman (both Ajax), Stefan de Vrij, Daryl Janmaat, Terence Kongolo, Bruno Martins Indi, (all Feyenoord), 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), Georginio Wijnaldum (PSV Eindhoven). Forwards: Memphis Depay (PSV Eindhoven), Klaas-Jan Huntelaar (Schalke 04), Dirk Kuyt (Fenerbahce), Jeremain Lens (Dynamo Kiev), Robin van Persie (Manchester United).

The Manager - Forget Manchester United for the time being, Louis Van Gaal has some unfinished business with the Oranje. His first spell in charge of the Dutch was a major disappointment, failing to qualify for the 2002 World Cup, the first time a Dutch squad had failed to do so since 1986. There are interesting parallels between then and now, following his sacking in early 2002, rumours were rife that he was to succeed Sir Alex Ferguson as United manager, according to Van Gaal Ferguson decided against retiring and the deal fell through. That sub-standard period in charge of the Dutch was followed by failure to secure the United job, now however he has been appointed United manager and perhaps this will work as a positive omen as he takes his squad to Brazil.

The Preparation - Defeating Northern Ireland 6-0 prior to Euro 2012 proved a false dawn as the Netherlands exited the tournament at the group stage, in preparation for the World Cup they’ve drawn with Ecuador and beaten Ghana and Wales. Whilst they haven’t been as free scoring as we’ve come to expect from them over the years, a more meticulous Netherlands has emerged in time for Brazil. Rather than overly relying on their forwards to win them games, Van Gaal has taken the pressure off Van Persie and Robben by introducing a new system during these warm up matches, one that uses five at the back. Whether he sticks with this at the World Cup remains to be seen.

See you in Manchester boss

The Definitive Opinion – The Dutch were a decent centre half partnership away from beating the Spanish in the final four years ago, I’m doubtful as to whether they’ve been able to correct these defensive frailties in time for Brazil. As I previously mentioned Van Gaal has experimented with five in defence, perhaps to compensate for a lack of quality defenders. Aston Villa’s Ron Vlaar is almost a certainty to start and this alone should worry Dutch fans with Vlaar being part of one of the Premier Leagues’ worst defences last season. There are also many unknown quantities like the Feyenoord quartet of Janmaat, Kongolo, Martins Indi and De Vrij who have only ever played in the Eredivisie. For the likes of De Jong, Robben, Sneijder and Van Persie this World Cup could well be there last, this may work in the Dutch’s favour as Van Persie and co look to bow out in style. This is potentially one of the weakest squads the Netherlands have taken to a World Cup; they may even struggle to make it out of the group.

The Team – Chile

The Squad - Goalkeepers: Claudio Bravo (Real Sociedad), Johnny Herrera (Universidad de Chile), Cristopher Toselli (Universidad Catolica). Defenders: Gary Medel (Cardiff City), Gonzalo Jara (Nottingham Forest), Jose Rojas (Universidad de Chile), Eugenio Mena (Santos), Mauricio Isla (Juventus). Midfielders: Jorge Valdivia (Palmeiras), Felipe Gutierrez (Twente), Jose Pedro Fuenzalida (Colo Colo), 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), Jean Beausejour (Wigan Athletic), Mauricio Pinilla (Cagliari), Fabian Orellana (Celta)

The Manager – Jorge Sampaoli – An experienced manager who has coached in Peru, Chile and Ecuador. His success with Universidad de Chile in which he won three league titles and the Copa Sudamericana, caught the attention of the Chile FA who appointed him as national team manager.

The Preparation – A spirited performance against Egypt saw the Chileans come from 2-0 down to win 3-2, thanks to a brace from forward Eduardo Vargas. Another Vargas goal saw them defeat Northern Ireland 2-0. Midfielder Arturo Vidal looks likely to miss the opening game against Australia with a knee injury.

Vargas and Vidal

The Definitive Opinion – There hasn’t been much talk about the Chileans chances of getting out of Group B, but they are not to be underestimated. From back to front that have quality individuals, starting with ever present Real Sociedad keeper Claudio Bravo who represented Sociedad in the Champions League last season. Full backs Gonzalo Jara and Jean Beausejour have Premier League experience with West Brom and Wigan, as does defensive midfielder Gary Medel, who will be on a lot of clubs wish list following Cardiff City’s relegation. The stars of this Chilean squad are the Juventus duo Mauricio Isla and Arturo Vidal, and Barcelona’s Alexis Sanchez. Vidal, who is a ball playing central midfielder, earned rave reviews for his performances in Germany with Bayer Leverkusen and subsequently in Italy following his move to Juventus. Although he is much maligned in Spain, Alexis Sanchez is adored by the Chilean fans and with a record of one goal in every three internationals from the wing it’s not hard to see why. Having watched the South American La Roja beat England at Wembley last November, I see no reason why they can’t finish above the Dutch and get out of the group.  

The Team – Australia

The Squad - Goalkeepers: Eugene Galekovic (Adelaide United), Mitchell Langerak (Borussia Dortmund), Mat Ryan (Club Brugge). Defenders: Jason Davidson (Heracles Almelo), Ivan Franjic (Brisbane Roar), Ryan McGowan (Shandong Luneng Taishan), Matthew Spiranovic (Western Sydney Wanderers), Alex Wilkinson (Jeonbuk Hyundai), Bailey Wright (Preston North End). Midfielders: Oliver Bozanic (Luzern), Mark Bresciano (Al Gharafa), James Holland (Austria Vienna), Mile Jedinak (Crystal Palace), Massimo Luongo (Swindon Town), Matthew McKay (Brisbane Roar), Mark Milligan (Melbourne Victory), Tommy Oar (Utrecht), James Troisi (Melbourne Victory), Dario Vidosic (Sion). Forwards: Tim Cahill (New York Red Bulls), Ben Halloran (Fortuna Dusseldorf), Matthew Leckie (FSV Frankfurt 1899), Adam Taggart (Newcastle Jets).

The Manager – Ange Postecoglou – A Greek born Australian, Postecoglou’s managed the Australian Under 20’s for seven years between 2000 and 2007 before being replaced after failing to qualify for the 2007 Under 20 World Cup. He overcame this disappointment by leading Brisbane Roar to the A League title in his debut season as manager. After three years with the Roar, he managed Melbourne Victory for a season before taking the national team job in October 2013.

The Preparation – The Socceroos have warmed up for Brazil with a 1-1 draw with South Africa and a tight 1-0 loss to Croatia. The man that carries the hopes of a nation on his shoulders Tim Cahill, scored the equaliser against the Bafana Bafana.

Tim Cahill

The Definitive Opinion – I’m going to be extremely blunt, Australia will not get a single point or goal in Brazil. Their squad is up there with the worst to ever grace a World Cup, the days of Viduka and Kewell are long gone. They have dispensed with veterans Mark Schwarzer and Lucas Neill, whose experience could have been vital with the task that lies ahead. Centre half Bailey Wright of League One Preston was a late call up which smacked of desperation, if he couldn’t cope with Rotherham’s forwards in the Play-offs what chance has he got against Van Persie, Sanchez and Costa. Then there is the Aussies’ poster boy Tim Cahill who so much is expected of, well having watched him struggle to compete in the MLS for New York Red Bulls, I’m not sure he’s got much left in his legs. Apologies Australia but you could well break the record for the worst goal difference in a World Cup group stage.