Aranya Syed :
The FIFA World Cup 2014 will start today with the Opening Ceremony and the match between hosts Brazil and Croatia in Sao Paulo. The football World Cup is, undoubtedly, the biggest global spectacle in the world but this year promises to be extra special as the tournament will be held in the nation which is known as the spiritual home of football, and whose national team has won the global showpiece event five times – more than any other country. The South American superpower breaths and eats the “beautiful game” and has given birth to some of the best footballers, including the greatest legend in the history of the game Pele, who is an Ambassador at Brazil 2014.
The official slogan for the World Cup – “All In One Rhythm” is apt to describe this country which is famous for its samba dance and vibrant energy. This is, indeed, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for footballers and fans alike as the last (and only) time the World Cup was held in this football-mad nation was 64 years back. The organisers will be hoping that the country will be able to cope with the massive influx of tourists and organise a spectacular tournament after a controversial FIFA World Cup in South Africa four years back and with the next two tournaments being held in Russia and Qatar – hardly the heartbeat of football – who won the bidding process allegedly through corruption and bribery.
This will, therefore, be the last truly great World Cup for at least 12 years. The current champions Spain, hosts Brazil, Argentina and Germany are the four massive favourites to lift the trophy at the iconic Estadio do Maracana in Rio de Janeiro on the 13th of July, with most pundits tipping the Selecao to triumph in front of their home fans.
Brazil are regarded as the tournament favourites despite having two lacklustre campaigns in the previous two World Cups. They have recently installed the legendary Phil Scolari – affectionately known as Felipao (“Big Phil”) – as their head coach and Carlos Perreira as his assistant – the last two coaches who were in charge when they won the World Cups in 2002 and 1992 respectively. The Samba Boys were very impressive during the FIFA Confederations Cup in 2013 – rehearsal for the World Cup – which they won with a scintillating performance in the Final where they thrashed World Cup Champions Spain 3-0 at the Maracana.
Their superstar is the Barcelona playmaker Neymar, who won the Golden Ball (player of the tournament) during the Confederations Cup. Neymar, who wears the iconic #10 jersey for his country, will definitely be the poster boy for the FIFA World Cup 2014 but his on-field performances in recent months for his club, especially since his scandalous transfer to the Catalan club from Santos last summer, is worrying for Brazilian fans. The team is well-led by defender Thiago Silva and have several options in midfield with Oscar being the standout player. There are no world-class strikers in the squad but Fred, who plays for Brazilian club Fluminense, has an impressive goalscoring record at international level.
Look out for Vice-Captain David Luiz, the most expensive defender in the history of the game after his recent transfer for a staggering £50m, who is a colourful character and a ‘joker’ in the pack. Brazil should end up as Group Champions and avoid a clash with World Cup Champions Spain in the next round – and I expect them to go all the way to the Final but maybe ending up as Runners Up just like they did in 1950, when they lost the Final at the Maracana against Uruguay – an episode known as the Maracanazo (“Maracana Blow”).
The two countries I think who will surprise everyone and may well lift the World Cup, despite having a lacklustre FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign, are Uruguay and Portugal. Both these countries qualified through the playoffs but I think at least one of these two will be competing during the Final at the Maracana. Uruguay are the smallest nation at this year’s World Cup and are in the “Group of Death” (Group D) with two other former World Champions Italy and England, as well as Costa Rica.
If they manage to get out of their group, expect La Celeste to go all the way, especially if their first team is fully fit as they do not boast a star-studded squad like some other nations. The Uruguayans are the current Copa America Champions and Semi Finalists of the last World Cup, where striker Diego Forlan won the Golden Ball. They have history on their side, as they won the World Cup the last time it was held in Brazil.
Their key player is their controversial striker Luis Suarez, the Golden Boot and Player of the Year winner during the recently concluded English Premier League season. The Liverpool striker, known as “El Pistolero”, also finished as the highest goalscorer during the CONMEMBOL World Cup qualifiers, but is struggling with a knee injury. His fitness is vital if they are not only to challenge for the trophy but to adavance from this tough group.
Their other key player is defender Diego Godin, who had an exceptional season with his club in Spain. It will be a tad simplistic to refer Portugal as a one-man team but if there was any team which will look significantly different without one player then it surely has to be the nation which colonised Brazil.
Their inspirational captain and star player is also the FIFA Ballon D’or winner and the undisputed best footballer in the world today – Cristiano Ronaldo. CR7 almost single-handedly booked Portugal a flight in Brazil for this summer with his hat-trick during the play-offs and finished as the highest goal-scorer during the UEFA Champions League, which his side Real Madrid won for the 10th time (“La Decima”).
He scored 17 goals, which is a record in the history of the world’s biggest club competition, and also finished as the highest goalscorer during UEFA Euro 2012. Portugal will also be most Brazilians’ second team and the players will definitely not have any difficulties in understanding the language of the locals! Ronaldo is suffering from a knee injury and if he fails to recover, then any hopes of Portugal lifting the World Cup will go with him as his reliability in being a prolific goalscorer is irreplaceable. The Portuguese defence is decent with the Brazilian-born Pepe and F Coentrao being part of the solid back-four. If Suarez and Ronaldo stay fit during the World Cup, I reckon Uruguay or Portugal are well capable of triumphing ahead of other fancied opponents.
The only issue where most pundits seem to agree is in deciding who the “dark horses” for the FIFA World Cup 2014 will be. Just about everyone is tipping the highly-rated Belgians to do well and even capable of winning the tournament itself.
They have an incredible and well-balanced squad of exceptional young players, such as Chelsea playmaker Eden Hazard, and have an outstanding leader in the world-class defender Vincent Kompany. I expect them to finish top of their Group with a good chance of going all the way with their powerful striker Romelu Lukaku having a particularly strong tournament in Brazil.
The most highly anticipated match will be the Group B encounter between the FIFA World Cup 2010 finalists Spain and Holland and the Holland v Chile matche may provide the biggest upset during the Group stage.
If Ronaldo or Suarez are fit I am tipping either Portugal or Uruguay (most likely the latter) to lift the trophy; if both are injured then I am going with the pre-tournament favourites Brazil. World Cup debutants Lukaku or Dzeko have a good chance to be the shock Golden Boot winner if CR7 or El Pistolero lose in their personal battle against their respective knees.
On a personal note, this World Cup will be extra special for me as I am also looking forward to being in Brazil and soaking up the atmosphere during the month-long carnival, as well as watching a match at the iconic Maracana Stadium in Rio. It will be an unforgettable adventure to be present at the nation which is the spiritual home of football during the world’s biggest global event – and one that I cannot wait to experience. Here’s hoping for a great FIFA World Cup 2014! Destino Brasil para Copa do Mundo!
(Aranya Syed writes from London, England)
