The four years of eager wait of billions across the world for another soccer bonanza is going to be over in a little more than one month from now.
Soccer World Cup is the greatest show on earth which almost all countries of the world enjoy. Brazil which made soccer as one the finest art of the touch artists is going to hold the month long mega event from 13 June 2014.
Favorites have started emerging in various critical analyses of soccer critics and sport writers. Past records and contemporary form, assembly of super stars often do not lead to ultimate winner.
There have been so many upsets by toddlers against the big fishes in the past. But in modern times team tacticians use technology and analyze the strength and weaknesses of even individual players for setting up strategies. But as the best surgeons cannot always give 100 percent guarantee for all surgeries the predictions of best of the best often may not come true.
Yet 2014 champion Spain, all-time favorite Brazil, youthful Germany and Meissi’s Argentina have been tipped as favorites to win World Cup 2014. This write up will preview the relative strength and possibilities of all 32 teams. But to start with let us discuss why 4 teams are considered favorites.
Matches will be played at 12 stadiums all across soccer mad Brazil.
Many soccer analysts would not hesitate to rank the Spanish team on the basis of their strong performance over the last 6 years among the all-time greatest team. They won Euro in 2008, world cup in South Africa in 2010 and repeated their performance at Euro in 2012.
Spanish team enthralled the football world with brilliant all round football. Spanish clubs Barcelona and Real Madrid also breed several extraordinary international football talents. Andres Anesta’s name will definitely go down in the annals of Spanish and World football as folklore. Xavi, Fabregas, Casilas are all world class. But one worry that the team possibly has peaked off. There are very few quality players to push the ageing veterans. There are teams now waiting in the wings, snapping at Spanish heels to pip them for post. But can anyone team dismiss such a wonderful combination of talented touch players sign off without another major crack. Who knows what tricks Coach Vicente del Bosque will unleash to stun the world?
Hardly any world cup soccer comes where Brazil is not considered as one of the favorites. The only team that won it 5 times will be ready to make it a hexa in front of adoring followers at Marcana stadium. Playing at home will definitely give Selecao a huge advantage.
Football has put Brazil more brightly than coffee on the world map .The only country which has football on its flag. Brazil off course will have to amend the Maracanazo (the Maracana Blow), the bitter memory of losing to neighbor Uruguay in World Cup final of 1950.
Though happened 64 years before yet it still lingers bitterly in Brazilian football memory. In the past two world cups Brazil could not go beyond quarter final. To 95 percent countries of FIFA it could be considered achievement but nothing but the cup is considered a success for the Brazilians. Brazil was champion in 1994 and runners up in 1998. It won again in 2002.
Ever hungry for ultimate success Brazil brought back big Phil to plot their world cup 2014 crack at the top. Under Phil Brazil won all games in the Confederation Cup beating Japan, Mexico, Italy, Uruguay and in the final Spain. Victory against Spain was the current world and Euro Champions with the magical brand of attacking football that made Brazil known to the world. That match incidentally brought to an end 29 match undefeated string of strong Spain in international soccer.
Brazil is now brimming with young talents. Young touch artist Neymar according to many is a blooming star. He has Oscar, David Luiz, Thiago Silva, Dani Alves, Marcelo around him. Big Phil has not yet announced his team. But Brazil now has so many quality players to choose from. It would be great if Brazil at Maracana meets arch rival Argentina in the final.
(To be continued)
