While many do not take much notice of FIFA rankings, it is still notable that Switzerland is sixth since February. Grouped with France, Ecuador and Honduras a promising Swiss team is favored to advance to group of 16 of Brazil 2014 world cup where they most probably will embrace a mission impossible against top favorites Argentina. But there may even be an upset who knows! In 2010, Switzerland was the only team to beat ultimate champions Spain.

Switzerland appeared in world cup for nine times, qualifying for quarter finals in 1934, 1938 and 1954. Undefeated Switzerland eased to get their way through qualification, confirming their spot in Brazil world cup with a labored 2-1 win over Albania in Tirana. Their qualification pool comprised of Iceland, Slovenia, Norway, Cyprus and Albania. Their journey was clinical –nothing less than expected under the direction of wizened head coach Ottmar Hitzfeld.  Six wins provided the brightest boon to Switzerland with the 2-0 win against Norway the best.

The team has a great talent pool. Many have gathered experience and excelled outside of the domestic Super League – the Bundesliga contingent – Ricardo Rodriguez, Xherdan Shaqirl and Granit Xhaka had impressive seasons since their advent in German league. Another important piece of the puzzle in Hitzfeld’s last FIFA world cup in charge is influential SSC Napoli midfielder Gokhan Inter.

Switzerland will play against Ecuador, France and Honduras. If the team can carry their wonderful performance of the qualifying matches, it would not be unwise to favor them move from the group to knock out stage. The coach looked confident when he said, ”There is no point in going to Brazil to play just three matches.” Under this strong minded German, Switzerland has learned the importance of defensive aspects of the game. He is quite flexible in his strategy in moving from a 4-4-2 formation to a more fluid but still a counter attacking 4-2-3-1.

Lacking in superstars like other fancied sides, Swiss players are athletic and industrious. It may prove a difficult to beat side. Napoli trio Gokhan Inter, Valon Behrami, Blerim Dzemaili and Borussia Monchenggaldbach’s Granit Xhaka all offer a variety of alternatives in the midfield. Width is offered by Tranquillo Barnetta of Eintracht Frankfurt, Xherdan Shaqiri of Bayern Munich, Valentin Stocker of Basel and Pantim Kassam of Fulham.

Coach will not have a set plan and will have flexibility adjusting with opposition adopting tactics and state of the match. He is likely to utilize he thinks right at a given stage of the match. Basel youngster Fabian Scher seems to lead the defense with Johan Djourou, Phillipe Senderos, Michael Lang and Steve von Bergen to partner him.

Stephen Lichsteiner of Juventus and Ricardo Rodriguez of Wolfsburg will give stability in the defense. Ricardo will produce the dead ball skills. Diego Benaglio will protect the goal with equally skillful Yann Sommer shadowing him.

Josip Drmic, Haris Seferovic, Even Derdiyok and Mario Gavranvoic will give the coach goal scoring options.

Switzerland's manager Ottmar Hitzfeld has named no Premier League players in his 23-man world cup squad although the Fulham winger Pajtim Kasami is one of seven reserves.

Bayern Munich's winger Xherdan Shaqiri is the star player in a youthful squad. The only one above 30 is the central defender Steve von Bergen, who turns 31 five days before the opening match on 15 June, against Ecuador in Group E. The Swiss also play France on 20 June and Honduras on 25 June.

The forward Josip Drmic was picked the day after joining Bayer Leverkusen on a five-year contract from newly-relegated Nuremberg of the Bundesliga.

A host of players who have featured for English clubs did make the cut, including Johan Djourou, Philippe Senderos, Reto Ziegler, Valon Behrami and Gelson Fernandes.

The two-time European cup winner Hitzfeld is set to retire after the tournament having also led Switzerland in South Africa four years ago

Goalkeepers: Diego Benaglio (VfL Wolfsburg), Yann Sommer (FC Basel), Roman Buerki (Grasshoppers)

Defenders: Johan Djourou (Hamburg SV), Michael Lang (Grasshoppers), Stephan Lichtsteiner (Juventus), Ricardo Rodriguez (VfL Wolfsburg), Fabian Schaer (FC Basel), Philippe Senderos (Valencia), Steve von Bergen (Young Boys), Reto Ziegler (Sassuolo)

Midfielders: Tranquillo Barnetta (Eintracht Frankfurt), Valon Behrami (Napoli), Blerim Dzemaili (Napoli), Gelson Fernandes (Freiburg), Gokhan Inler (Napoli), Xherdan Shaqiri (Bayern Munich), Valentin Stocker (FC Basel), Granit Xhaka (Borussia Moenchengladbach)

Forwards: Josip Drmic (Nuremberg), Mario Gavranovic (FC Zurich), Haris Seferovic (Real Socieded), Admir Mehmedi (Freiburg)

Reserves: Marwin Hitz (Augsburg), Timm Klose (VfL Wolfsburg), Silvan Widmar (Udinese), Eren Derdiyok (Bayer Leverkusen), Fabian Frei (FC Basel), Pajtim Kasami (Fulham), Pirmin Schwegler

Coach: The 65 year old German Coach won the German championship 7 times with Borrusia Dortmund and Fc Bayern Munich. He is one of the four coaches to have won UEFA Champions League with two different teams. Appointed in 2008 he also took Switzerland in 2010 World Cup.

Player to Watch: 

His name reads like a fancy cocktail and Xhaka is just flashy on football field. The 21 years old is one of the two reasons why Switzerland should not be scoffed at when it comes to predictions about the world cup. The other is Xherdan Shaqiri, the Bayern Munich weapon who sometimes played second fiddle to Frank Ribery at German League.

Xhaka is dubbed as the “Swiss Ronaldo” is one poised to light up the engine room in Brazil. Highly regarded by his coach at Borussia Monchengladbach Lucien Favre, Xhaka is known as an intelligent player with the individual skills to unlock the most rigid defence. He is not only a playmaker, with great footwork and a turn of pace to match; he is capable of changing the course of a match with single piece of play 

Switzerland is known for being frugal and tough to break down in defence. With Shaqiri and Xhaka icing one of the football’s most efficient cakes, the Swiss attack may be what fans are talking about come the second week of the World Cup.

Prediction

Switzerland is capable of an upset – they are the only team which beat Spain on their path to win the 2010 cup. But a match with Argentina in round 16 will be fatal.

BDST: 1002 HRS, JUN 01, 2014