The last matches of the preliminary round matches of Group A and Group B will be played tonight. Keeping up with tradition two last matches of each group will kick off at the same time eliminating any possibility for manipulation which happened in earlier world cup.
In Group B Netherlands play Chile and Australia plays Spain at 02 AM 24, June Australian time (10:00PM BST June 23).
In Group A Brazil plays Cameroon and Croatia plays Mexico at 06 AM, 24 June Australian time (0200 hrs 24 June BST). Situation is very different in two groups.
Group B situation is very clear. Reigning Champions Span and very impressive Australia after back to back defeats in the first two matches cannot advance to knock out round. They will play for pride. Chile and Holland will fight out top position of the group with an aim for avoiding meeting with host and hot favorite Brazil in the round of 16.
Group A situation is very complex.
Any three other than Cameroon can theoretically be eliminated. Brazil needs a point from the match against indomitable lions of Africa Cameroon. If Brazil loose somehow they will embrace the ignominy of turning into spectators of the world cup in their own back yard. Mexico and Croatia will play to win to be secure. If both the matches’ ends in draw Brazil with 5 points will top the group, Croatia with better goal average will also advance. Brazil may still qualify even if it loses but for that Mexico has to win against Croatia. From what we have seen so far let us make a preview of the matches.
Brazil vs Cameroon:
There is no denial that all-time favorite host Brazil has not yet appeared in its own self yet. But that did not prevent them disposing off strong Croatia 3-1 and holding Mexico 0-0. In the two matches played Brazil did not look like losing. Had it not been extraordinary goal keeping by Mexican Goal Keeper Guillermo Ochoa Brazil could have own easily in the second match as well. Four goals those have been scored in Brazil matches were all scored by Brazil one in own net and three in opponents.
The team that aims to go deep in such a major tournament does not play all its tramp cards too early in the game. Champion bound teams require peaking gradually match by match. Cameroon after getting blown away by the Croats must be still leaking their wounds. They may not cause big worry for Brazil. Rather Brazil should be careful not to risk injury of any of their key players. If they can get some early goals Scolari may like to test their bench strength before business session.
Experienced Brazilian defence comprising of Marcelo , Daniel Alves, David Luiz and Thiago Silva faltered only once very early against Croatia with Marcelo conceding a suicide goal. But what has been missed so far that unlike the usual Brazilian wing backs the present crop has not been found aggressive participants in Brazilian attacks. Brazil midfield did not function at its brilliant best with Paulinho looking a shadow of his past. Scolari may like to test Raimres in his place.
Young Oscar is yet to deliver as expected. With Hulk possibly not yet 100 % Oscar has to take additional responsibility of creating opportunities for Neymar and Fred. Mates must endeavor to draw markers away from Neymar letting the wonder boy operate in wider space. We do not think with exit already on the card Cameroon will be mentally charged to challenge the might of Brazil in their own land. A score line of 3-0 at least is the most likely outcome.
Croatia vs Mexico
This match now has greater significance in the overall context of the world cup. Croats looked a very competent team even against Brazil in the first match. The result could be different if poor referring did not let them concede a penalty which Neymar expertly converted. Croats looked devastating against Cameroon in the second match scoring as many as four goals.
The defense is pretty solid and compact with Corluka, Schildenfeld and Vida being the nucleus. Luka Modric and Mateo Kovacic marshal the midfield bridging the defence very aptly with talented front liners like Ivica Olic, Eduardo and Mandzukic.
Mexico is also very mobile team. But if failed to play to its potential so far in the two matches it played. They were very lucky to escape with appoint from Brazil and could score only once against Cameroon. They can have four points from two matches and can afford to play for a draw. But too much defensive approach may prove suicidal for them as Croatia will like to let them sit deep to test and tease them.
We believe that the match will be very competitive with attacks and counter attacks creating several opportunities for goal. The result may be 2-0 or 3-1 in favor of Croatia.
Chile vs Netherlands:
Both teams have already assured qualifications for the second round with wins in the first two matches. Holland hammered, humiliated, embarrassed the world Champions and very strong Spain in the first match with an unbelievable margin of 5-1. They however survived a big scare of the Socceroos’ in the second match with a scrappy 3-2 victory. If Australia only had greater world cup experience and maturity they could have own the match after taking lead and sharing possessions and attacks equally. The vast experience and quality of Robin van Persie and Arjen Roben bailed Netherlands out unhurt against Australia.
These two veterans will again be the key to Dutch success against a very talented South American side Chile in tactically very crucial match. Draw or win will keep them clear from possible meeting with host Brazil in the next round. Dutch defence looks vulnerable against rapid counter attacks which they can expect against fast moving brilliant ball players of Chile.
Chile looked impressive in both matches though it had to contain Australia playing out of their skin. But in their second match they played wonderfully well to ensure sending the Champions Spain home with a game to spare. The entire team is fit and energetic, combine sweetly when attacking, and move with speed and authority. To tell very frankly off the South American side Chile has impressed most so far .It will not be easy at all for Holland to get the better of Chile as they will keep coming at them with purpose. If given choice Brazil will prefer not to play Chile in the knock out early. There will be lot of goals in the match and possible margin may be 3-2 in favor of Chile.
Australia vs Spain:
Australians wanted respect and Socceroos’ earned respect for them. Grouped with past Champions and Runners up as well as very difficult South American team Socceroos impressed many with enterprising and entertaining football. The Never Say Die Australian attitude in anything they do was so vividly demonstrated in two matches they played. Though they lost 1-3 to Chile and 2-3 to Netherlands Australia made both toil and sweat. Both the teams heaved sigh of relief for getting unhurt after the match. Australia matched their superior opposition all fronts of the field. Though the ace striker Tim Cahill, Mark Braciano will be missing still the Aussies will have enough in its armory to make it very difficult for battered and bruised Spain.
What can be told about Spain? A golden Generation of talented players, a great team so brilliantly dominated world football for the last several years was also picked as strong favorites in this world cup . The same team, same style of play which they borrowed from brilliant Dutch team of 1970 s could not carry them being stunned by no team other than Holland. It was rather shocking to see a brilliant Goal Keeper Iker Cassilas known for his impregnable style of keeping stumble and falter. Who could foresee that Xavi Alfonso, Andres Inesta, Cese Fabregas will fail to gain control of the midfield, who could even think that David Costa and Fernando Torres would become goal shy all on a sudden? All these happened at the same time and that is why Spain has to leave and leave early from World Cup 2014. Still they can play for pride and give a fitting farewell to their long serving boss Vicente del Bosque shining once more. But Australia may test and tease them as well. We predict a 2-0 victory of Spain in the match.
BDST: 1503 HRS, JUNE 23, 2014
