DHAKA: The first week of the much awaited Soccer Bonanza –FIFA World Cup 2014 in Brazil has already witnessed some dramas, some upsets, spectacular matches and competitive soccer. Spain the defending champions bade farewell to Brazil World Cup losing back to back matches. 

Two other former world champions England and Uruguay’s fate are hanging on a balance. Even all-time favorite Brazil is also not yet 100% sure of moving up. Of the four top favortites only European power house Germany could do justice to the strength in overwhelming Portugal in the first match through a magnificent hat trick by Mueller. Argentina also failed to impress in their first match against first timer Bosnia Herzegovina. 

The fast and furious Germans, Chileans, Colombians, Ducthes, Italians, Belgians and French were the toasts of the first week of the world cup. The performances of Costa Rica, Australia, Iran, Korea also proved that gaps of teams playing world cup soccer is fast narrowing .What a fascinating a world cup?

The month long soccer fiesta featuring 32 teams playing in 8 groups have created worldwide soccer fever. Soccer frenzied fans are not bothering to enjoy the matches mid night on in early morning. The matches played so far have all elements of entertainment to keep soccer fans deeply engrossed. In 20 matches so far completed all teams have appeared at least ones and teams of Group A and B played two matches each. 60 goals were scored in 20 matches. 17 matches have seen win and loss and three matches were drawn-Group A Brazil -Mexico, Group F Iran - Nigeria , in Group H Russia –Republic of Korea have shared points. There have been some controversies in referees’ judgments, few upsets. 

All favortites excepting the reigning champions Spain won their first matches, some convincingly and others after fierce competitions. Unexpectedly top favorites Spain was rocked, hammered, humiliated and overwhelmed by spirited Netherlands. Spain also lost its second match against Chile being the first team in the history of the world cup losing two first matches in succession in title defence. Another upset came through unfancied Costa Rica in the group of death beating South American giant Uruguay. 

Australia impressed many soccer pundits playing two very good matches against stronger oppositions Chile and Netherlands .First timer Bosnia almost shocked favorite Argentina in a very closely contested match.

Brazil, Italy, Germany, Chile, Belgium, Colombia and France won comfortably. But Argentina had to consider themselves lucky to salvage full point edging past a very enthusiastic first timer Bosnia Herzegovina through a piece of Messi magic. 

Brazil was held to a goalless draw by Mexico in their second match of the group while impressive Croatia winning 4-0 against Cameroon has thrown the group wide open. Brazil is expected to win against Cameroon. Mexico will have to at least get a point in their last match of the group against Croatia to qualify from the group.

Chile shocked Spain in their second match of the group ending the brilliant journey of Spain in world soccer over the last several years. Netherland in another match with great difficulties beat Australians 3-2 in a very hotly contested encounter. Chile and Netherlands will meet in the last match of the group to decide who tops the group with Spain and Australia playing only for pride their last group match.

Though it is very early yet it appears that FIFA world cup 2014 would continue to remain unpredictable and wide open. Let us make a brief review of what happened over the first week.

Group A: Brazil was not much stressed in their two matches and as the first team of the world cup advanced to the second round winning both of its matches. Croatians in the first match could genuinely argue about the penalty they conceded which Neymar converted to set the team into lead. Brazil first conceded the lead through a suicide goal and Neymar equalized through a low drive. Impressive Croats conceded another goal in the dying minutes when Young Oscar scored a smart goal. 

Brazil had to overcome initial shock goal which they conceded when otherwise reliable Marcelo accidentally pushed one past Cesar trying to clear the ball. Mexico in its first match against Indomitable African lion Cameroon won by solitary goal after two of their legitimate goals were disallowed through poor referring. Orbie Parletta scored the winner. The fair result should have been 3-0 in favor of Mexico. 

In their second match of the group Brazil and Mexico played out a goalless draw. Brazil did everything in the match other than scoring. The Mexican Goalkeeper saved at least four goal bound Brazilian strikes. 

The spectacular save of a Neymar header is considered similar to what Gordon Banks did against Pele in 1966. Brazil and Mexico now have three points each with neither 100% assured of a second round as Croatia overwhelmed Cameroon by 4-0 in a one-sided encounter. Brazil though is in a better position as they are expected to win their last match against Cameroon while Mexico will have to play out of their skin to earn even a point from impressive Croats.

Group B: The group has already witnessed two spectacular matches. Star Studded Champion Spain got rocked by Netherland; the team they beat through an extra time goal of Andres Iniesta in 2010. Present generation of Spanish team is believed to have aptly executed the Dutch discovered “Total Concept”. 

But their experienced team could hardly anticipate how the Dutch team paid back to their own coal. Down by a goal Netherlands kept probing deep into Spanish defence through artistry of three quality players Robin Van Parsie, Arjen Roben and Wesley Sneijder. Robin and Roben scored twice each and Young de Vrij one to thump Spain through an unbelievable 5-1. In the other match of the group Australia gave favorite Chile a very tough time although the score line of 3-1 may give other indication. 

Fleet footed Chileans scored two early goals before Australians could even settled. But from there on Australia took control of the match attacking from all direction. Playing very positively Australians reduced the margin making it 2-1 .Australians did everything in the second half but to score and in the injury time conceded another goal (3-1) .Australians matched their much fancied opponents all the way and was perhaps unlucky not salvaging at least a point from the match. 

The match between Chile and Spain will settle who will accompany Netherlands into the knock out stage. Netherlands with three quality strikers and very organized mid field appears to be more or less confirmed for advancing into knock out stage. They may go deep into the tournament and pose a major threat to the favorites in this world cup. It is to be seen whether Australia can be spoil Spanish dream in the group. Chile is fast and furious in attack but defend poorly. The players went out of steam even against Australia.

Impressive Chile put the last nail in the reigning world Champions Spain’s coffin beating them 2-0. 

Spain’s dream journey in world Cup is all but over. They will play their last match against Australia as a mere formality. The early exit of Spain has signaled the end of a glorious era of the Spanish team. 

Australia on the other hand played another very spirited match against team of the moment Netherlands going down (2-3). Australians matched ditches in quality of football in a end to end contest. Only the experience of wily Robin and Roben deprived the Australian from squeezing at least a point out of the match even after taking lead twice in the match. Australian could even win the match if they could capitalize many chances that came their way. Netherlands relying mostly in the counter attack could come out winner .Team from down under may even sink Spain further in their last match of the group.

Group C: Colombia made strong statement in their first match against Greece winning 3-0. In other match of the group Cote d”voir struggled to overcome a strong Japanese resistance in beating them 2-1. By the look of it Columbia is likely to head the group .Japan or Cote d’ivoir (Ivory Coast) may join them. 

Though Japan lost to them yet very quick in attack Japan may create some sensation in the group.

Group D: Italy won a very important match in the group of death in one of the most hotly contested match so far against England .The surprise of the group came through Costa Rica shocking South American giant Uruguay 3-1. The match between England and Uruguay has become extremely important .The looser will die for sure and winner will live to winner will have to win the last match of the group as well. Uruguay will have to play Italy and England plays rejuvenated Costa Rica. 

In our opinion Italy and Costa Rica are better placed to advance from the group.

Group E: Switzerland and France won their respective first match against Ecuador and Honduras. Of the remaining France Ecuador will decide which team will accompany Switzerland into knock out stage. 

Honduras stands no chance but Ecuador can still make to the knock out stage if they can beat France. 

But we think Switzerland and France will move up from the group.

Group F: Favorite Argentina should consider them lucky to survive a scare from world cup debutant Bosnia & Herzegovina in their first match of the group. The rookies not only matched the fancied South American side without getting rattled from big names. A brilliant Maradonian style goal from Messi assisted Argentina in securing full points with 2-1 win. B & H made several strong attacks and with a bit of could have caused a huge upset or salvage at least one point. B&H may still make it to the second round if they can maintain their high standard in their matches against Nigeria and Iran. The two teams played out the first drawn match of this world cup. One hopes that Argentina will only improve from here and get back to their best as soon as possible.

Group G: European Power House and one of the hot favorites Germany started their world cup mission brilliantly outclassing a ten men CR7 s Portugal 4-0 .Mueller scored the first hatrick. There was never any doubt of the superiority of the Germans. In the bottom half the performance looks the strongest team on the basis of the first match. USA playing well beat Ghana 2-1. With a huge defeat already against Germany and losing one of their mainstays Pepe through Red Card for doing a Zidane on Mueller Portugal’s now faces a huge challenge to move ahead. Ronaldo can still inspire them .But neither USA nor Ghana will be easy opponent. We think Germany and USA may go through from this group. 

Group H: Belgium playing true to their pre-tournament billing beat a spirited Algerian team 2-1 when two of the replacement players coming out from the bench scored showing the depth of the team. 

Russia and Korea played a 1-1 drawn game in the other match of the group.

So far other than Spain and England all other European teams played strongly in the World Cup. 

Germany looks all set for another attempt to win the cup. France, Belgium, Italy are also looking well prepared. Netherlands may go deep if they can avoid Brazil in the knock out. Of the South Americans Chile and Colombia looks impressive. Brazil and Argentina have so far failed to live up to their reputations. One only hopes that Brazil and Argentina peak at the right moment. Uruguay and England will fight for survival in a do or die match tonight. We are sure there will be more dramas more upsets. 

Let us wait and see with our fingers crossed.

BDST: 1313 HRS, JUNE 19, 2014